Seventy Years of Struggle and Achievement

Professor Meena Upadhyaya OBE will deliver a talk about her experiences as a first-generation immigrant to Wales as well as discussing aspects of her research expertise into Medical Genetics at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s (UWTSD) Reading Room in Swansea on March 16 at 2pm.

The title of the lecture comes from her book entitled Seventy Years Of Struggle And Achievement: Life Stories Of Ethnic Minority Women Living In Wales, which tells the life stories of forty Black Asian Minority Ethnic women who were finalists for or winners of the Ethnic Minority Welsh Women Achievement award (2011-2019).

It is part of a series of events and lectures at the University to mark International Women’s Day 2022, celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of inspirational students and staff.

Professor Upadhyaya obtained her Ph.D. from Cardiff University and completed a fellowship with the Royal College of Pathologists (RCPath) in 2000. She is a distinguished professor (Hon) in Medical Genetics at Cardiff University, Wales, and honorary professor of practice with the University of Wales Trinity Saint David.

Professor Upadhyaya’s research career focused on many genetic disorders, especially neurofibromatosis type I (NF1) and facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). She has published 200 papers and has edited five books on NF1 and FSHD. She was awarded the European Theodor Schwann award for her outstanding contributions to NF1 research in 2013, OBE in 2016, and Saint David Award in 2017.

She is a Fellow and Council member for the Learned Society of Wales and the Royal College of Pathologists; a Trustee for Nerve Tumours, UK, Race Equality First, and Race Council Cymru. She joined the Welsh Government Civil Service Board as a Non-Executive Director in 2020.

Professor Upadhyaya is an advocate for promoting equality, diversity, community cohesion, and integration. She is the founder and Chair of the Ethnic Minority Welsh Women Achievement Association (EMWWAA) and the Ethnic Minority Women in Welsh Healthcare (EMWWH). She also sits on the Advisory Committee of the Purple Plaques and the Monumental Welsh Women. Meena is a co-editor of 'Seventy Years of Struggle and Achievement: life stories of ethnic minority women in Wales.'

Professor Wendy Dearing, Dean of UWTSD’s Institute of Management and Health said: “We are proud and honoured to host this lecture by Professor Upadhyaya. The impact of her important research is felt the world over and of equal importance is the time and effort she devotes to helping women in the ethnic minority communities.”

The lecture also marks the launch of the University’s new Race Equality Plan developed collaboratively with student and staff representatives. The plan embeds the principles of the Advance HE’s Race Equality Charter, supporting the University’s commitment to providing an inclusive learning and working environment, free from prejudice and discrimination, where all staff members and learners are supported, feel respected and are empowered to realise their full potential.

The University is committed to building strong and healthy communities across its campuses and to create an inclusive, supportive learning and working environment in which all staff, students and learners can flourish and fulfil their personal potential. The University’s values of partnership and collaboration are at the heart of this Race Equality Plan.

Jane O’Rourke, Executive Director of Human Resources said: “We are committed as part of our Strategic Equality Plan to making our workplace more inclusive and diverse at every level.  We know the value of this, and we believe that by better understanding the challenges and barriers women of minority ethnic backgrounds face, that we can take meaningful action to address these. Enabling people to achieve their potential and career aspirations is at the heart of our mission at UWTSD.”

Further Information

Rebecca Davies

Swyddog Gweithredol Cysylltiadau â’r Wasg a’r Cyfryngau

Executive Press and Media Relations Officer

Cyfathrebu Corfforaethol a Chysylltiadau Cyhoeddus

Corporate Communications and PR

Mobile: 07384 467071

Email: Rebecca.Davies@uwtsd.ac.uk