Shahina Pardhan
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox scientist
| name = Shahina Pardhan
| honorific_suffix = {{postnominals|country=GBR|size=100%|OBE}}
| workplaces = University of Bradford
| alma_mater = University of Bradford
}}
Shahina Pardhan is the Director of the Vision and Eye Research Unit and the Anglia Ruskin University School of Medicine. She was the first woman to be appointed Professor of Optometry in the United Kingdom.
Early life and education
Pardhan was born in Tanzania and moved to Yorkshire when she was 18 years old.{{Cite news|url=https://www.anglia.ac.uk/medical-science/about/school-of-medicine/research/vision-and-eye-research-unit/highlights/professor-pardhan-asian-pacific-optometry-congress|title=Professor Pardhan speaks at APOC - Anglia Ruskin University|access-date=2018-06-02|language=en}} Pardhan graduated from the University of Bradford in 1984.{{Cite news |title=Professor Shahina Pardhan - Anglia Ruskin University |language=en |url=https://www.aru.ac.uk/people/shahina-pardhan |access-date=2018-06-02}} She was awarded the Yorkshire Optical Society's Best Student Prize. She received a scholarship from the College of Optometrists and began her graduate studies, earning a doctorate in 1989.
Career and research
Pardhan joined the University of Bradford, where she was the only woman lecturer. On her first day she was told that she "couldn’t go into the staff common room because secretaries weren’t allowed".{{Cite web|url=https://www.aop.org.uk/ot/in-practice/practitioner-stories/2017/12/19/first-female-professor-of-optometry-on-workplace-sexism|title=First female professor of optometry on workplace sexism|last=Powell|first=Selina|website=www.aop.org.uk|language=en|access-date=2018-06-02}} In 1993 she was the first woman to be appointed Professor of Optometry and first Asian woman to become Professor of any discipline in the UK.{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness/body/female-optometrists-short-changed-salute-fighting-better-deal/|title=Female optometrists are being short-changed. I salute those fighting for a better deal|last=Potts|first=Judith|date=2018|work=The Telegraph|access-date=2018-06-02|language=en-GB|issn=0307-1235}} Pardhan joined Anglia Ruskin University as a Professor in 2001. She won the Asian Woman of Achievement Award in 2001, an award presented by Cherie Blair.{{Cite news|url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/professor-wins-major-award-for-asian-women-1-2411438|title=Professor wins major award for Asian women|access-date=2018-06-02|language=en}} In 2005 she was awarded the Asian Jewel Award.{{Cite web|url=https://www.opticianonline.net/news/apu-professor-wins-award-2|title=APU professor wins award - Optician|website=www.opticianonline.net|access-date=2018-06-02}} In 2009 Pardhan was appointed Director of the Vision and Eye Research Institute.{{Cite news|url=https://ismailimail.wordpress.com/2009/08/03/professor-shahina-pardhan-appointed-director-of-a-new-high-profile-research-facility/|title=Professor Shahina Pardhan appointed Director of a new high profile research facility|date=2009-08-03|work=Ismailimail|access-date=2018-06-02|language=en-US}} Her research focuses on low vision and the difficulties that people suffering with low vision face, including mobility and recreational activities.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rpfightingblindness.org.uk/newsevent.php?tln=newsevents&newseventid=433|title=Research update: Difficulties with visual activities for people with RP|website=www.rpfightingblindness.org.uk|language=en|access-date=2018-06-02}}
She was an invited speaker at the Aspian Pacific Optometry Congree in Kuala Lumpur in 2015. She was the keynote speaker at the 2017 launch of Women in Vision, a networking group for women working on vision in the UK.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ucl.ac.uk/ioo/news/2018/jan/women-vision-uk-launches-unite-women-vision-and-eye-research|title=Women in Vision UK launches to unite women in vision and eye research|last=UCL|website=UCL Institute of Ophthalmology|language=en|access-date=2018-06-02}} She led a joint conference with Southern University of Science and Technology to discuss audio and visual impairment.{{Cite web|url=https://www.aop.org.uk/ot/professional-support/optical-organisations/2017/12/11/anglia-ruskin-co-creates-first-of-its-kind-international-event|title=Anglia Ruskin co-creates "first of its kind" international event|last=McCormick|first=Emily|website=www.aop.org.uk|language=en|access-date=2018-06-02}}
Awards and honours
- In 2015, Pardhan was awarded the Vice Chancellor's award for strategic leadership.{{Cite news|url=https://www.anglia.ac.uk/medical-science/about/school-of-medicine/research/vision-and-eye-research-unit/highlights/professor-shahina-pardhan-awarded-for-strategic-leadership|title=Professor Shahina Pardhan awarded - Anglia Ruskin University|access-date=2018-06-02|language=en}}
References
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Category:Tanzanian emigrants to the United Kingdom
Category:Alumni of the University of Bradford
Category:Academics of the University of Bradford
Category:Academics of Anglia Ruskin University
Category:20th-century British medical doctors
Category:21st-century British medical doctors
Category:21st-century British women medical doctors
Category:20th-century women physicians
Category:Year of birth missing (living people)