Day in the life: an academic
Dr Rihab Khalid is an Isaac Newton Trust Research Fellow at Lucy Cavendish College, University of Cambridge. She focuses on the intersections of gender, energy infrastructure and space use in the Global South. She has a PhD in Architecture from Cambridge, and also worked at the Global Sustainable Institute, looking at Responsible Research and Innovation.
Image credit: Lloyd MannI wanted to study architecture because…
It combined my passion for the arts with more technical, scientific knowledge. For me, it was the best of both worlds. Architecture forms the backdrop to most of our everyday lives, and so influences our emotions, our sense of well-being, and how we interact with the world and with other living beings, both human and non-human.
During my master’s I began to see the significant impact architecture has on our consumption and everyday demand for energy. From there, I started looking at energy efficient architecture and how buildings could be designed to reduce consumption. This then led me to recognise the critical role occupants play in shaping building energy use, based on their lifestyle, behaviour and socio-cultural practices. And so, in my research fellowship, I am exploring some of these interlinks between social practices, energy and space-use, specifically focusing on women’s spatial access and energy use.
Sustainability and the inclusion of women is important to me …
Because gender becomes a key factor of difference when it comes to energy and space-use.
Architecture, planning and energy sectors around the world are not only dominated by men, but are also overwhelmingly designed for them. This male-bias leads to oversights when it comes to planning buildings and cityscapes. Women often face numerous challenges in terms of mobility, safety, privacy, access to economic opportunities and public participation, and even in their domestic and care responsibilities.
‘Gender-neutral’ planning results in marginalising women’s energy and spatial needs, especially for low-income women or single mothers who already face energy and time poverty. In my research, I wanted to focus on improving women’s access to energy and space-use because I believe that an equitable society will lead to a more sustainable society.
A typical day in my job …
It’s quite flexible and depends on the various cycles of the academic year. During term time at the university, there is a lot happening, and my days are generally quite full, with the various teaching activities, learning programmes, seminars, talks and College events. My own research work and writing continues throughout, and in the last two years, I have been juggling a number of different research projects. During off term, I get a bit more time to focus on writing and personal development, as well as undertaking fieldwork during the winter and summer off-term periods.
The best thing about my job …
Is the independence it offers in pursuing areas of research that I am passionate about and want to make a difference in, and the flexibility it offers in how I manage my time. Also, as an interdisciplinary researcher, I have had the chance to work on numerous collaborative research projects spanning architecture, urban studies, geography, economics, engineering, and the social sciences. I have had the opportunity of working with many national and international organisations in academia and beyond, which has been invigorating, though sometimes challenging, but an extremely beneficial learning experience.
The most challenging thing about my career is …
Achieving the right work-life balance. This is something I feel I still need to work on. While work flexibility has its benefits, it also means I must set my own agenda and determine my own workload- which often results in my taking on too much work. In academia, especially in research, working long hours and weekends, instead of just during office hours, is quite common, particularly for early career researchers.
However, you don’t have the luxury of working the hours you want once you have a family. I’ve had to learn to be quite strict with my schedule, and (mostly) keep to working hours to ensure that I’m on top of everything else. This has helped me become more organised and I try to maximise productivity during the time I have. I still sometimes struggle with ‘letting go’ when all I want to do is be at my desk and note that one train of thought or write down that one last paragraph.
Diversity in academia and architecture is important because …
Architecture and energy are still among the most male-dominated sectors, and while women’s participation has been increasing in recent years, representation of women from diverse and minority backgrounds is still quite low. This diversity is important to account for the range of perspectives and experiences in relation to good architectural design. Inclusivity can ensure that buildings are being designed to accommodate their diverse users and cater to their varying needs. Further, until recently, there was an almost complete focus on euro-centric architecture and design theories in the West (including in the UK). This resulted in delegitimising alternative knowledge systems and marginalising indigenous modes of design. The recent movement to decolonise the Architecture curriculum is a step in the right direction. There is so much to learn from these multiple and alternative knowledge sources, especially in terms of more sustainable ways of living.
The biggest challenge I’ve faced in my career …
Was realising I was going to have a baby just as I got a PhD scholarship at Cambridge. Since my husband and I didn’t have any family support in the UK, and my husband still worked in London and would be commuting there everyday, I decided to leave my 3-month-old daughter with my mother back home in Pakistan when I started my PhD. It was one of the most difficult decisions I’ve made in my life. We intended to bring her back with us as soon as we’d settled in and got a place at a nursery nearby but hadn’t factored in the long waiting lists. I had started some fieldwork based in Pakistan so I was able to spend time with her during that period but it wasn’t until my fourth year that I was finally able to bring her back with me to Cambridge. It was certainly a very challenging time in my life. Pursuing a doctorate degree as a mother, whatever one’s family situation might be, is undoubtedly a formidable task and requires a herculean effort.
The best career advice I’ve received was…
To be ambitious and always aim high. Unfortunately, career ambition isn’t one of those things that most girls in conservative societies like mine are brought up with. The quote by Norman Vincent Peale: “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars.”, was the best advice I needed to keep moving forward. That and be bold: If you don’t ask for something, you won’t get it.
The three qualities I think you need for this career are …
Resilience: In research, nothing ever goes completely according to plan, and you need to have the perseverance and tenacity to keep going and plan for contingencies.
A passion or drive for knowledge: most research is driven by a vested interest in understanding a particular phenomenon or solving a specific problem. It can take years to make a breakthrough or significant contribution to the field, and only your passion and drive can help motivate you to keep at it!
Curiosity: Research often starts with asking a question. Searching for answers to understand the world better and to solve its problems is driven by curiosity.
What I do to switch off …
At the end of a tiring day, I usually end up binge-watching The Office, if I’m feeling a bit more cynical, and Parks and Rec, if I’m in need of a bit more optimism.
