Fashion educator Karen Heard grew up in the West Country, England where the seeds of curiosity and exploration were first sown. Later, when faced with “what will I be when I grow up” at secondary school, she was advised by her teacher to work in a bank, despite her obvious interests in creative work. Karen was not going to let that happen. 

Tune in to unfold the story of how Karen ‘stubbornly’ got into art school, the world of couture, backpacking around the world and now a fashion educator at University of the Arts London.

About Karen Heard:
Karen is an imaginative and quirky Fashion Educator and maker with an extensive lecturing career specialising in Fashion and Textiles study from Foundation to Post Graduate, including course leader and pathway leader responsibility. As a designer / maker and curious hunter / gatherer of specialist collections, there is unending inspiration and investigation that underpin Karen’s specialisms.

As an International Academic, Karen works globally to identify and guide talented individuals into their preferred creative studies through a toolkit of interactive content including workshops, seminars, lectures and tutorials. With over a decade of expertise in this area, Karen has delivered transformative educational experiences in a range of locations including Colombia, Ukraine, Taiwan, Japan, Canada, China, Saudi Arabia, India, Brazil, Mexico and beyond. This extends to delivery at partner institutes including: BIFT, Ryerson, Donghua, PEARL, La Colegiatura and more.

In 2016, Dewakan was named the Best Restaurant in Malaysia on the prestigious Asia’s 50 Best Restaurant list. Join us as we talk to Dewakan’s head chef, Darren Teoh about his journey from childhood to being a world renowned chef. 

As first generation child of Indian migrants to Canada in the 70’s, Dr Lata Narayanaswamy, Associate Professor at the University of Leeds traces her interest in global development back to her identity as an immigrant in Canada. Learn how Dr Lata grapples with the big questions on belonging, identity, and “following her heart” in her career so far.

About Dr Lata Narayanaswamy:

Since 2001, Dr Lata Narayanaswamy has worked as a research practitioner, consultant and lecturer in gender and development. Her research problematises how knowledge is actualised as a driver of development in both discourse and practice. She is Associate Professor in the Politics of Global Development at the University of Leeds.

Before joining Leeds in 2014, Dr Lata held Lecturer and Visiting posts at the Universities of Sheffield and Hull in the UK, and at Carleton University and York University in Canada. She was awarded a PhD from the University of Durham in 2011. 

Nini Marini is a full-time multidisciplinary artist and maker who explores art through various mediums such as ceramic, textile, metal and even artificial intelligence. This year, Nini was listed on Tatler Asia’s Most Influential: The Culture List 2021 that identifies leaders making indelible impacts in their respective fields. In this episode, Nini bares all about her journey in art school, the hardest thing to reckon in art school, and her wisdom for those who want to pursue a career in art.

Nini pursued Bachelor of Arts (BA), Visual Communications, Time-Based Media at Birmingham City University and Foundation Studies on Ceramics, Graphic design, Painting, Illustration, Digital Art at Birmingham Institute of Art and Design, Bourneville.

Ever wondered what it’s like to study English Literature and Genetics together? These two fields may seem worlds apart, but Dr David Kent, Deputy Head of University of York’s Department of Biology, begs to differ. Listen in to find out how and why he combined those two fields in his undergraduate degree! Dr. David Kent is the Deputy Head of Department of Biology at University of York.

A historian of colonial Malaya, Dr Sandra Khor Manickam didn’t start her university life with studying history. She wanted to study filmmaking, but found that it wasn’t what she expected. Studying history, she discovered, helped her to tap into her curiosity of the world. Listen to Sandra as she shares her exciting journey from Malaysia to the US, then to Singapore, UK, Australia and now at the Netherlands.

Dr Sandra graduated with a PhD in History (2011) from Australia National University, MA in History (2005) from National University of Singapore and BA in History and Economics (2000) from University of Southern California

What was it like studying at Imperial College, London as a young man from Petaling Jaya under the tutelage of professors who are leaders in their own fields? Dr James Lau shares his experience as an undergraduate and postgraduate student at Imperial and growing his career in the UK for over a decade. Dr Lau is an Associate Director at Dr Nik & Associates and an Honorary Lecturer, Imperial College London. He graduated with a PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Imperial College London and MEng in Civil and Environmental Engineering, Imperial College London.

A Chevening scholar and formerly a journalist in a Malaysian daily, Natasha Joibi attributed her current vocation at an environmental services NGO to her childhood days. Discover how Natasha is breaking out from the patriarchal, socialistic exposure in her childhood to carve out a future of her own. Natasha is currently a Communication Specialist for an environmental NGO. She was also a 2019/20 Chevening Scholar. She pursued Master of Science in Equality and Human Rights at University of Glasgow and Bachelor of Arts in Communication at Simon Fraser University, Canada.

Dr. Ian Oliver grew up in Adelaide, Australia where he enjoyed the great outdoors, animals, plants, math and the sciences. Discover how a degree and career in Environmental Science helped Ian to combine these interests together, along with why earthworms are such a fascinating study. Dr. Ian Oliver is Senior Lecturer in Environmental Science at Keele University. He obtained a Ph.D. in Environmental Chemistry. 2004. School of Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of Adelaide, Australia. Thesis: Copper Bioavailability in Biosolids; Honours Degree (Research) in Environmental Management (first class). 1999. Department of Soil & Water, University of Adelaide, Australia. Thesis: Potential phosphorus release from water treatment residuals under anaerobic conditions; Bachelor of Applied Science (Natural Resource Management). 1997. University of Adelaide, Australia. Subject majors: Environmental Chemistry, Soil Science, Environmental Management.

When Michelle Gunaselan saw villagers and their children being evicted from their homes due to Malaysia’s zero squatter policy, she decided that news reporting is not enough.  She wants to be a part of things that matter. Listen in as Michelle shares about what it’s like to be an international aid worker and how she got there. Michelle holds a BSc degree in Journalism from Taylor’s College & University Sains Malaysia and a MSc degree in Human Rights from London School of Economics.