Nadera Assim PhD, Health Sciences

PhD student

Project title: Foot health in refugees and asylum seekers

As a mature student, the team saw the potential in me and I'm sure they can do the same for you! They have a knack for seeing what you can become, and not what you currently are.

When I started my law degree many years ago, my aim was to use it to help the underprivileged and deprived communities. My interest was immigration law, possibly due to being an immigrant myself and experiencing the injustices of the legal system.

Life had other plans for me and as a single parent, I was unable to follow that path. Despite being away from the legal system, I was fortunate to be able to use my education, skills and experiences to help the vulnerable in society through the Citizen's Advice Bureau. I was also privileged to be able to work with and support refugees and asylum seekers. However, like many, COVID-19 reshaped my thinking and brought me to my other passion - feet! I am in awe at the magnificence of feet and the fact that they are all so different yet so amazing!

I feel that life has brought me full circle, thanks to this fabulous and life-changing opportunity with the Black Futures Scholarship. This opportunity has enabled me to combine my two passions and explore the lived experiences of refugees and asylum seekers in accessing foot health services.

My one piece of advice is – if in doubt, please ask! I would implore you to reach out to someone from the Black Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences (FELS) team - they are awesome and no question is ever a problem! As a mature student, they saw the potential in me and I'm sure they can do the same for you! They have a knack for seeing what you can become, and not what you currently are. Their advice and support are priceless but they also give you the space to flourish and grow - you won't regret it!