What I do: Maja Karpowicz

Posted on by Nick Riddle

As autumn busts out all over, Maja Karpowicz, a Horticultural Technician for External Estates, talks us through her work and tells us about some of her top local green spots.

Image of Maja Karpowicz in a garden
Maja Karpowicz

Plants have always been a big love of mine. I was the nerdy girl who could name most of the plants in a green space. But like many who’ve gotten into the industry more recently, I was a lockdown convert. When the pandemic hit I was working in communications and engagement with Mind, the mental health charity. I loved my job, but working from home and being sedentary wasn’t for me, and during my breaks or after work I found myself gardening. That’s when I decided I wanted a career change.

Working at Bristol appealed to me because it has such a strong, ongoing commitment to increasing biodiversity across its sites. It also provides lots of opportunities for us to involve staff and students in conservation activities, such as wildflower meadow maintenance and building bug hotels.

On the ground and in the community

I work in two teams: the Royal Fort team and the Mobile team. With my colleagues at Royal Fort Garden, I mostly manage the Cantocks Steps area which connects University Walk and Tankard’s Close to the School of Chemistry (famous for their rainbow colours which were installed in celebration of Bristol Pride in 2019). This area is home to a broad range of Australian, New Zealand and Mediterranean flora which are a feast for the eyes in the warmer seasons. As for the Mobile team, we have over 78 sites to look after, hence the name ‘Mobile!’. You may have seen a chunky truck with a Remembrance Day poppy driving around the campus – that’s us!

No two days are the same. My tasks might include pruning, weeding, planting out, watering, deadheading, litter picking (sadly, an everyday occurrence), mulching, shredding… the list goes on! The seasons will determine what plants need attention, the care method and the frequency. Things that bring me the most joy are establishing a plant and watching it flourish, learning about new plants, and pruning/deadheading (nothing more satisfying than the latter!).

As we know, access to green spaces is beneficial to our wellbeing, so providing these havens is vital – to our community and beyond. A Bristol City Council and NHS survey showed that only 43.8% of the 10% most deprived local areas are satisfied with the quality of parks and green spaces in Bristol. So providing access to our beautiful public gardens is a communal necessity; the fulfilment and pride I get from knowing this is really motivating (especially when the weather isn’t ideal!).

My favourite places

Hampton House Garden (right) is a beautiful site that few seem to know about: it has a great blend of formal and informal garden styles with its neat rose garden moving into wilder borders as you follow the hoggin path. It’s peaceful yet has a lovely buzz and is a great spot to enjoy your lunch. I also have to mention the water features at Royal Fort Garden and Goldney Gardens – the pond and the canal. I’m a sucker for dragonflies, and this summer we saw a magical display of these amazing creatures.

I’m missing the summer already (with a cool breeze, otherwise it was unbearable to work in!). Portbury Wharf, the nature reserve in Portishead, is stunning in the summer. Now we’re well into autumn, the turning of the leaves is especially beautiful to behold in Royal Fort and up at the Halls, in particular Wills Hall in Stoke Bishop. They’re just off the Clifton Downs, which is another great spot for a brisk autumnal walk on a clear day.

 

Being heard, making plans, moving up: two Bristol academics on 100 Black Women Professors NOW!

Posted on by Nick Riddle

In the last year, the third cohort enrolled in the 100 Black Women Professors NOW! programme, a pioneering initiative led by the Women’s Higher Education Network (WHEN), included 10 Bristol academic staff and PhD students. Two participants from Bristol, Dr Oghale Ayetuoma and Dr Cynthia Ochieng, talk about their careers so far, the challenges they encountered, and how 100 Black Women Professors NOW! has helped. 

Dr Oghale Ayetuoma (left) and Dr Cynthia Ochieng (right) with Professor Evelyn Welch, Vice-Chancellor and President, at the 100 Black Women Professors NOW! graduation event, 20 November 2024

Dr Oghale Ayetuoma, Senior Lecturer in Human Resources Management and Work, School of Management 

I lecture and do research in human resource management; I completed my PhD at the University of Huddersfield, looking specifically at talent management in public and private sector organisations. 

I started at Bristol in 2018 and progressed up the lecturer levels, and I had tried to apply for a Senior Associate role at the time I started because I knew that I was ready for it, but I was told that it was too soon and my application was rejected. When things like that happen, it can make you worry whether you’ll ever be able to progress. But I was determined not to be deterred.  

The programme gave me the confidence to get my application in for the Senior Lecturer position. We had a great support system, including a sponsor, a mentor and a coach. I was trained in how to take stock of my achievements through action planning and how to find the right people to talk to about my application. And having put in the required work to meet the criteria and with the supportive environment created through the program, I successfully progressed to Senior Lecturer this year. 

The challenges we face as Black women, and Black people generally in academia, are often systemic. It was great that our line managers and members of the University’s Executive Group were also engaged in the programme – I think it really increased their awareness. Things have definitely improved with the support I get from my line manager.  

I’ve begun to understand what I really want to focus on to take my career forward and how I align it to my values. We don’t all necessarily want to be professors, but we’re more confident now that we can be. Whether it’s leadership or the academic route, I can work towards it, and I know how to get support.  

The programme has also allowed us to be heard by the senior team about some of the challenges we face, at different levels, with career development. We now need to build on this. And our policies are being impacted in various ways as a result of the programme. I hope this drives lasting change for those who will follow in our footsteps.  

I’m now working towards an Associate Professorship. I’ve been getting advice from my coach, the senior leaders – even the Vice-Chancellor, which is amazing. I’m confident that my end goal of getting a full professorship is possible.  

Dr Cynthia Ochieng, Research Fellow in the School of Psychological Science and Bristol Medical School 

I conduct applied health research in different specialities including palliative care, neurology and surgical research. More recently, I have been working in the School of Psychology and the Medical School co-producing behaviour change interventions.

I arrived at Bristol in 2013 and did most of my PhD here. I was a Senior Research Associate in the Medical School from 2016 to 2017, then moved to several other institutions where I had both positive and negative experiences, before I returned to Bristol in 2020 to take up a research role. 

The 100 Black Women Professors Now! programme came at a pivotal moment for me: I’d been stuck at the Senior Research Associate level for several years, and I knew I was more than capable of moving to the next level. I’d asked for opportunities with various managers and the answer was always ‘We’ll look into it’, or ‘Let’s chat some more’, but nothing ever came of it. I was beginning to get frustrated, much like many of my friends who had ultimately decided to leave academia.  

The programme has been great. We’ve had support which has reminded us that we do have the skills and the experience to accomplish our goals, and tips on how to promote ourselves by speaking up, staying visible and being assertive in asking for opportunities. Our line managers and senior university management are also involved in opening up those opportunities more and ensuring that we’re properly supported.  

Sometimes a manager will say ‘You shouldn’t apply for that grant – you need to concentrate on finishing your current project.’ But you need that grant to get to the next level. So having the confidence to go back and say, ‘I will finish this project, but I also need to do this for my career growth’ – that’s made a real impact for me. Now when I say I want to go for a grant, it’s taken seriously, and things move forward. 

I’ve found the whole experience very motivating. I have a plan for my career: I know for sure that I need to keep pushing for those grant applications, and to increase my output in terms of research papers and to do more teaching. These things are not always easy to attain, but I now have a better idea of how to navigate the challenges and push back.

Photography by Bhagesh Sachania 

A tale of three apprentices

Posted on by Nick Riddle

The University has been named Social Justice Employer of the Year in the regional finals of the Department of Education’s National Apprenticeship and Skills Awards 2024. Having started with three apprentices in one standard in 2019, the Apprenticeships and Employment Outreach team, headed by Rebecca Scott MBE, has supported 55 apprentices in progressing their careers across 10 standards, from levels 2 to 7.

‘Twenty-two apprentices have moved into open-ended roles at Bristol, bringing with them their talent and learning, and many of these employees continue their development through degree apprenticeships,’ says Rebecca. ‘It’s great that we can make a positive contribution to the region’s social mobility. I feel really proud of my colleagues for embracing apprenticeships and creating so many meaningful opportunities.’

The team’s success would have not been possible without the support of hiring managers across the University – or the apprentices who responded to advertisements and attended the employment outreach sessions. We asked three of them to tell us how their apprenticeships have been going.

Idman Abdullahi Mohamed, Laboratory Technician Apprentice, Translational Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School

My apprenticeship as a laboratory technician at Bristol Medical School over the past year has been one of the most valuable opportunities I’ve had. With strong support from my team, I’ve been able to expand my skills through shadowing in different departments and getting involved in apprenticeship outreach.

The best part of my apprenticeship is the balance of theory and practical skills I gain through my coursework, which has helped me grow both technically and professionally. Joining the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) team has also been a privilege, allowing me to engage in meaningful discussions with colleagues. I’m incredibly proud to be an EDI board member, representing faith and religion.

Charlotte Facer, Internal Auditor Apprentice, Finance Services

For my Internal Audit Professional Apprenticeship, I’m studying for professional qualifications and a masters in Internal Audit Management and Consultancy. I’ve been learning the theory that underpins my discipline and the practical skills that support my daily work, and I’ve recently achieved Certified Internal Auditor status.

The most impactful part of my apprenticeship has been meeting coursemates. They’ve become friends, and a great professional network, offering support and guidance from their career experiences.

Olivia Bomani, Solicitor Apprentice, Research Compliance Team, Division of Research, Enterprise and Innovation

Embarking on an apprenticeship is a rewarding, but very challenging experience. There is a lot to juggle at one time, which is why I’m so grateful to have such a supportive employer. I am due to start year 4 of a 6 and a half year Solicitor Apprenticeship in January, and I’m not sure I would’ve made it this far if I didn’t have an employer that didn’t have my best interests and personal development at heart.

I feel really supported and valued at Bristol, and it’s really reassuring to know that I can speak to my supervisors if I ever need anything.