Parveen Ali is a FLIER participant and Professor of Nursing at the University of Sheffield. She researches gender-based violence, domestic abuse, and inequalities in health related to gender and ethnicity. Here she tells us what she has learned on the FLIER programme and her hopes for the future.
Q: What issue in health research do you want to take on and why?
A: It’s very ambitious and probably unachievable, but I would like to see a world free of domestic violence and abuse. To start with, I would like to see appropriate support available for people experiencing abuse. There is a need to develop multidisciplinary research and cross-sector interventions, and I would like to make a contribution in this area.
Q: What have you done differently as a result of FLIER?
A: I have used my learning to develop the abilities of a better leader. This year has been really successful for me. I secured the post of Professor in Nursing for the Health Science School at the University of Sheffield and Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospital. I have also been appointed as the Editor-in-Chief of International Nursing Review, which is the official journal of the International Council of Nurses. I could not have achieved these milestones without the FLIER programme and the support I received from my FLIER cohort. Both positions are extremely significant as I am the first ever Pakistani Professor of Nursing in the UK and the first ever Pakistani Editor-in-Chief of a highly reputable and international nursing journal like INR.
Q: What advice would you give to your younger self?
A: Working hard is good, but please be kind to yourself and learn to say no!
Q: What are your hopes for the future in the health sector?
A: While we have a long way to go, recognition of domestic abuse as a major public health problem and interest in developing preventive strategies and interventions are increasing day by day. My hope for the future is that we have a better mechanism of identifying, reporting and thus preventing domestic violence and abuse, or any type of abuse and inequality.
Professor Parveen Ali is a participant in Round 2 of the Academy of Medical Sciences’ FLIER programme, a unique programme that will develop leaders of the future who can create collaborations across academia, industry, the NHS and government to drive innovation.
The FLIER programme is generously supported by the Dennis and Mireille Gillings Foundation and the Government Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy ‘Investment in Research Talent’ fund. You can find out more about our funding model and explore our donors here, or visit our Support Us webpage to explore ways to help our work.
