Dr Geeta Ludhra
Senior Lecturer in Education / Associate Dean (Equality and Diversity: Staff)
Gaskell 070
- Email: geeta.ludhra@brunel.ac.uk
- Tel: +44 (0)1895 266368
Membership and affiliation
- Research Group Memberships:
- British Sociological Association (BSA) Auto/Biography Group: BSA study group
- Interculturality for diversity and global learning | Brunel University London - see Feminist reading group | Brunel University London
- External Examiner roles:
- I am currently External Examiner for Leeds Beckett University and examine their 'MA in Race Education and Decolonial Thought' within the Carnegie School of Education.
- Previous External Examiner roles have included: Reading University PGCE, Chichester University BA (QTS) and Durham University PGCE.
- School Governor Roles:
- I have been a Governor at three schools over the last 10 years, sitting on English, safeguarding and curriculum committees.
- CommUNITY Projects: I have created and set-up a registered community interest company (CIC), focussing on three key areas:
- Intergenerational connections and stories;
- A monthly women's writing group (we are currently writing our first community/charity book);
- I lead community educational nature events in the Chilterns AONB countryside. As part of my Secretary of State DEFRA appointed role, I raise awareness of diversity and inclusion issues in natural landscapes, with a focus on people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) people and those from underrecognised communities.
- Conservation Roles/ Impact
- I am a Secretary of State Board appointed Board Member of the Chilterns Conservation Board (DEFRA)
- Particular interest and focus: Promote broader representation and widening access to protected landscapes, encouraging more diverse groups in society to enter, engage and feel 'safe'. As a British South Asian woman, I draw on my 'insider' position within particular communities to encourage people of colour to enter natural landscapes for enjoyment and holistic health. I have spoken at national and European conferences, and given keynotes on this topic.
- My nature work was picked up by BBC Woman's Hour (I was an invited speaker on the theme of 'Aspire to Adventure', October 2021) BBC Radio 4 - Woman's Hour, Hillary Rodham Clinton and Louise Penny, HPV kits, Aspire to adventure
- I have been on the Steering Commitee for Chalkscapes Greenspaces engagement work, amplifyng more inclusive ways of working with diverse communities in Luton. See: Chalkscapes_GreenspacesReport_March24_DIGITAL_spreads.pdf (chilterns.org.uk)
- Visiting Fellow with the Open University, working with Environment, Earth and Ecosystem Sciences Department https://www.open.ac.uk/stem/environment-earth-ecosystem-sciences/ as part of community impact work in nature spaces.
- Working with the Museum of English Rural Life in Reading on a research project working with asylum seeking and refugee women. The Museum of English Rural Life (reading.ac.uk) funded by Esmée Fairbairn Foundation (esmeefairbairn.org.uk)
- Working with National Parks on developing more inclusive policies to attract broader audiences, and a mentor on their New Perspectives Bursary Awards Scheme. See: National Parks: New Perspectives - Campaign for National Parks (cnp.org.uk) - funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Media interests
I have been on BBC Asian Network, BBC Woman's Hour and BBC Berkshire in relation to my doctoral findings and community impact work in the community.
Social media handles:
Twitter: @educatinggeeta
Instagram pages:
@_dadimas
@educatinggeeta (women's writing community)
@dadimaschilternswalks (Conservation and nature)