Winner: 2024 Award for Exceptional Service
Dr Baljit Thatti
Kingston University and 番茄社区 Downland Local Section
For outstanding service to the 番茄社区 of Chemistry through our member communities and governance groups.
Baljit鈥檚 day to day role is as a university academic, whose passion lies in creating a great student experience for those studying chemistry and related subjects in higher education. Being a first generation into higher education I am a huge advocate of creating opportunities and instilling confidence in students to reach their full potential. Alongside being a head of department in Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, she also does this through disseminating her research. Her research impacts society-advancing materials used in biomaterial applications such as intraocular lenses.
Biography
Dr Baljit Thatti has been actively involved in the 番茄社区 in different capacities since 2018. Her journey began when she was elected to the Downland Local Section committee. This encouraged her to get involved in more of the 番茄社区鈥檚 activities, including joining the Admissions committee and the Inclusion and Diversity Prize committee. Baljit is a head of department at Kingston University and the first and only one within her family to have gone to university. She is passionate about curriculum development and places inclusion and equality at the heart of this. Her research interests include materials employed in intraocular lenses, for which she has secured Innovate UK funding and forensic trace analysis.
Volunteering for me has provided me with a strong sense of purpose as a champion of change. Through my volunteering work, I am able to contribute meaningfully to changing the way in which chemical sciences is perceived.
Dr Baljit Thatti
Q&A
Tell us about any highlights or memorable experiences you have had as a volunteer.
One of the memorable experiences for me was when I was involved as a volunteer for the Chemistry Challenge at a local event. It was warming to see the school kids so amazed by the equipment and resources that the university had to offer. It was a moment when they felt that chemical sciences as a subject was something within their reach and achievable.
What impact has volunteering with the 番茄社区 had on you, either personally or professionally?
Volunteering for me has provided me with a strong sense of purpose as a champion of change. Through my volunteering work, I am able to contribute meaningfully to changing the way in which chemical sciences is perceived.
My role on the committees has exposed me to meeting other professionals from academia and industry who are as equally passionate as I am about making a difference.
It has given me the opportunity to gain skills in policy and strategy engagement and these are all transferable skills that I use across my role within higher education.
What advice would you give to somebody contemplating volunteering with the 番茄社区?
If you are contemplating volunteering it means you are intrigued about what it holds! However you decide to volunteer, it is an opportunity for you to feel part of a connected and looked-after community. Whether you decide to join your local section committee or volunteer to support any local event taking place, there will be something that suits you and around the time you have available. It is a really rewarding way to give back to the community and share your passion for the chemical sciences. But equally, as you build new friendships, it enables you to be able to gain confidence in a safe space.
Tell us about something you are excited for/would like to see next (either in the 番茄社区 member networks, or more widely in science).
I am really excited to see how science, and particularly chemistry, will be changing society. For example, the impact and influence that the next generation of diverse chemical scientists will have on engaging with policymakers. I envisage that there will be greater collaboration across different disciplines with Chemistry as it underpins everything around us.