Dr Kizanne James MSc Leadership and Management in Health and Social Care, 2018
Hi, I'm Kizanne James and I studied MSc Leadership and Management in Health and Social Care at the University of Southampton.
My lecturers were approachable and supportive. I felt nurtured through the process, it hasn't been simply about getting a degree but about becoming a better person.
What made you choose the MSc Leadership and Management in Health and Social Care at the University of Southampton?
I wanted to attend a University that was part of the Russell group of institutions and enrol in a program that would not only challenge me as a leader but would give me the skills I need to work in my home country (Trinidad) and globally.
Having completed your course were there any particular modules that stood out for you?
My favourite modules were Self-Leadership and Strategic Management, led by two amazing and highly experienced lecturers. These lecturers were able to present the content of these courses so skilfully, that I felt as if I grew as a person and as a leader because of it. This master’s program on a whole, effectively equipped us with the skill-set and knowledge to lead in the health and social care setting.
You were a winner of the prestigious 2017 ‘120 Under 40: The New Generation of Family Planning Leaders’ by The Bill & Melinda Gates Institute for Population and Reproductive Health at John Hopkins in the US. Can you tell us about this?
I felt really honoured and excited to have won this award – it means so much to my work in sexual and reproductive health in the Caribbean. It was an extremely competitive process, I was up against experts from all over the world. The process began with online voting, with only participants who received a certain number of votes making it to the selection panel of family planning specialists.
The work focuses on avenues to provide sexual health resources using digital media in developing countries. It all started with my role as World Contraception Day Ambassador, and now has led to the creation of our organisation called Access Sex Health. Our dream is to make sexual health services available to everyone.
Explore Kizanne's 120 Under 40 profile.
Read the full story news story here.
You also won the 2017 Women in Science Engineering and Technology (WISET) award – could you tell us a little about this?
I was happily surprised and honoured to receive this award. I am a women’s rights activist and work on projects in Latin America and the Caribbean, a member of the Women Deliver Young Leader’s Program as well as a World Contraception Day Ambassador. I'm very passionate about supporting women’s development in health care and leadership. The Women Deliver Young Leaders Fellowship is a 3-year program ranked 4th in the world with youth leaders from over 104 countries advocating for the health and rights of women and girls across the globe. My dissertation focused on women’s advancement in health care leadership because I believe women have a special perspective to offer to health care leadership and are better in tune with their own health needs.
What has it been like to study here?
I really enjoyed studying at Southampton, my lecturers have been approachable and supportive. I felt nurtured through the process, it hasn't been simply about getting a degree but about becoming a better person. There are cafes and shops nearby that serve food from different cultures, so if you get a bit homesick you can have a taste of home.
Have you been involved in any extra curricula activities at the University?
I was the postgraduate student representative on the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion team for Health Sciences and in addition to this, I hosted leadership training seminars and sexual health advocacy campaigns in the Caribbean. These campaigns included media interviews, creating documentaries, social media campaigns and newspaper interviews etc.
In terms of clubs on campus, I was a member of UNICEF on Campus and the African Caribbean Society.
Having lived in Southampton what would you say about the city and its culture?
Southampton to me has a very “chill vibe” which makes it a great environment for study. It is also very multicultural, with many activities for people with varied interests to enjoy, and it’s very close to London.
What were you Southampton 'highlights'?
I had so many great experiences here, it is difficult to select one in particular. The highlights would be attending the Equality, Inclusion and Diversity Gala, receiving the Women in Science, Engineering and Technology Award and giving a TED talk on a my passion, sexual health.
How has your time at Southampton helped you grow as a person?
I made friends with students from various cultures and feel more like a global citizen. I also developed my ability to think critically, it is thoroughly encouraged on the course and in leadership it is a necessary skill. Being a student at Southampton expanded my vision, exposed me to new ideas and experiences and gave me a new platform to realise my dreams.
How would you sum up your time at Southampton?
Excellent!