Empowering Women in Health & Research: Dr Natasha Singh’s Journey

International Women’s Day, celebrated annually on 8th March, is a global movement recognising the achievements of women and advocating for gender equality. This year’s theme, #AccelerateAction, calls for urgent progress in tackling gender disparities across all sectors, including health and social care research. From improving women’s health outcomes to ensuring inclusive research practices, accelerating action is essential to addressing persistent inequalities. By championing gender-responsive research and amplifying women's voices in decision-making, we can drive meaningful change and create a fairer, more equitable healthcare system for all.

My Challenges & Barriers

After graduating from medical school in Trinidad, I completed my internship and was eager to begin my career in obstetrics and gynaecology. I applied for a SHO position in obstetrics, but my aspirations were quickly dismissed when the head of the department questioned why, as a woman, I would want to pursue obstetrics. He suggested I should choose a career with more predictable hours, such as 9 to 5. Instead, I was assigned to an SHO position in anaesthetics. This was the first time I realised how women can be treated differently in the workplace. I was shocked this this existed in the society.

I didn’t anticipate that there were options available and spent several weeks working on a specialty I had no interest in. One of my close friends encouraged me to explore opportunities in the southern part of the island. At that time, I had little faith and assumed everyone would share the same mindset. However, when I made an appointment to meet with the head of the department (Dr Jehan Ali), I was pleasantly surprised by the warm reception and was offered a position on the spot. This experience taught me that not everyone has the same attitude. If the opportunity isn't there or if there are barriers, you don't have to settle. Keep looking for the door that’s open, because there’s always someone who shares your values and vision. It’s always worth waiting for the right opportunity. While the clinical opportunities were present in Trinidad, I was determined and motivated to pursue a career as a researcher and hence came to the UK in 2003.

I was fortunate to be appointed as an SHO at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow, UK. I received incredible support and inspiration from the midwives I worked with, many of whom I have remained close to. About a year into the role, I encountered an unexpected and personal conflict with one of my colleagues, which escalated to the point where it required the involvement of the BMA and the senior leadership team at the trust. However, the close-knit network of friends I had developed went above and beyond to support me throughout the process. Being new to the UK and far from home, I was initially on my own, but the midwifery team, a group of strong women, provided the guidance and encouragement I needed. Their support helped me rise stronger, and I learned the importance of women coming together to support one another. It was the first time I realised that success often brings challenges, but that doesn’t mean they’re your problem alone. It taught me the importance of developing my own methods for resolving conflicts. I also received strong support from my male colleagues. As more women enter these spaces, we can learn from their experiences.  These experiences strengthened me and provided valuable insights and skills that I would later rely on during my years as a senior leader in the NHS.

My passion for pursuing a research career grew stronger over time, but I faced many setbacks in my attempts to secure a clinical research fellow position. Eventually, in 2008, I was offered a research fellow post at Imperial College London and Chelsea Westminster Trust. This experience was transformative, teaching me much about the value of research in improving healthcare and its powerful ability to reach underserved populations.

In 2012, I was appointed as a consultant obstetrician at the Chelsea and Westminster NHS Trust, and I applied my research skills to enhance patient care and streamline clinical pathways. Over the years, I took on various leadership roles, starting as the lead for the labour ward and clinical research, then moving on to Obstetric Service Director, and eventually securing the role of Clinical Director. Each role came with its own set of challenges, some personal and others related to team dynamics. My early experiences helped me navigate these obstacles more effectively.

As a leader, I’ve always believed in leading by example and bringing people along with me on the journey. This approach has been my key to successful navigation through challenges. I have been fortunate to receive valuable guidance from mentors and the support of my family and many close friends. My husband has consistently provided impartial advice, even when it meant supporting those I viewed as 'opponents,' helping me gain a fresh perspective. My son, on the other hand, has always been my biggest supporter, encouraging me when I need it most.

I’ve learned that leadership is not just about winning minds, but also winning hearts. As women, we need to tap into our innate ability to nurture and win both the hearts and minds of those around us. By doing so, we can achieve personal success and success for those we lead.

I continued to make significant improvements in my roles and was eager to expand my impact at a regional level. While I did not successfully secure a regional appointment, which was disappointing, my mentors were there to guide me through the experience. Some may argue that I’m naïve to believe that good work is always recognised. Still, I firmly believe that if you're passionate enough to make a difference and if you have the will, there’s always a way to turn your vision into reality.

As the EDI advisor to the Board, I gained valuable expertise, which paved the way for my success as the Research Inclusion Lead for NWL ARC. It’s a perfect environment to collaborate with like-minded individuals and make a meaningful difference where it’s most needed.

Challenges and barriers are ever-present and often come in disguised forms. As women, we must support and learn from one another as we grow into leadership roles. Women like Marie Curie have made exceptional scientific breakthroughs, and if they can do it, so can we. Together, we can overcome any challenge and make our mark.

My Inspiration

My parents have always inspired me from an early age, teaching me the importance of caring for others, giving selflessly, and making a meaningful impact in someone else’s life. As I grew up, I admired women like Floella Benjamin and Tina Turner, who, despite coming from ethnic minority backgrounds, achieved remarkable success in their careers. Tina Turner’s lyrics from "The Best" have always resonated with me, especially the line "simply the best," as it embodies how I strive to be every day—particularly in my care for patients.

I feel incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by women who have embraced leadership roles and are dedicated to making a positive impact on society. I am deeply grateful to both Miss Gubby Ayida, Professor Mark Johnson and our CEO Lesley Watts for their unwavering support, mentorship and guidance over the years. As leaders in the competitive environment of the NHS, I have always admired how they overcome challenges while still finding time to mentor, support, and offer advice, all with a reassuring smile.

Taking on leadership roles within the NHS has allowed me to meet diverse individuals, listen to their struggles, and understand their challenges. I’ve been able to draw on my academic background to help colleagues from ethnic minority backgrounds who felt they weren’t given equal opportunities to advance in their academic careers. Many women, balancing clinical work and family responsibilities, have had to put their academic careers on hold. Advocating for these women and help guide them back into academia is vital, as their research contributions are invaluable. I support clinical and non-clinical colleagues in the early stages of their research careers by connecting them with resources and helping them develop essential research skills. My focus has been creating a supportive and empowering environment where women, regardless of their professional or social background, can build their confidence, overcome challenges, and enhance their research abilities. I believe that it's never too late to engage in research, and that research should be accessible and inclusive to all.

My Future Hopes & Advice

My vision is that the future of health and social care research is inclusive, equitable, collaborative and driven by the needs and voices of the communities that we serve to drive real-world improvement in the delivery of patient care and outcomes. In my role as Inclusion lead, I will be working collaboratively with the ARC NWL team to ensure that we are integrated with our approach to address the complex challenges we are facing in health and social care. We need to have a diverse representation in research, especially those from underserved communities, so that their voices are heard and involved in shaping the future of their care.

Despite the fact that women such as Marie Curie and others have made significant contributions to research over the years, women today are still more likely to have witnessed or experienced gender discrimination compared to their male colleagues. However, as we embrace diversity and inclusivity, the role of women in health and social care research should evolve in powerful ways. Women will play a critical role not only as researchers but as decision-makers, mentors and advocates and will help shape research that is more inclusive and reflective of our communities. Moving forward, women will deliver groundbreaking research while adopting transformative approaches.

For those women who are aspiring to enter health and social care research – go for it, don’t give up, seek out the opportunities. While research can be challenging, it is also incredibly rewarding, and you can make a significant impact on people’s lives.  Surround yourself at all times with people who mentor, support and inspire as well as challenge you so that you will build your unique resilience.  Don’t be afraid to seek out opportunities or knock on someone’s door for advice, and be proactive in developing your research skills.  The field is vast and there is always room for passionate and dedicated women who will make a difference and remember your research ideas and contributions matter.

Final Reflections

For me personally, International Women’s day is a time to reflect on our achievements as women and how far we have come. It is a reminder that work is still required to break barriers, challenge stereotypes and we need to keep advocating for change and work towards a future where gender equity is the norm, not the exception. It is also a time to be thankful to all those women who have paved the way for us and reinforces the importance of solidarity among women and our power when we lift each other up.