Hello I’m Shadan!

I’m an academic, engineer, and advocate for access and opportunity. I currently serve as Head of the Engineering Department at Cardiff Metropolitan University and Deputy Director of the EUREKA Robotics Centre. With more than 18 years’ experience in higher education across the UK, South Asia, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, I’ve spent my career championing equity through education, especially for communities that are too often left behind.

My journey began in Peshawar, Pakistan, a city near the Afghan border where thousands of refugees sought shelter from war. Growing up, I was surrounded by stark inequality. I remember watching children pick through rubbish for food while others walked past in school uniforms, heading to private classes. Those early experiences shaped how I see the world. They taught me that even if we can’t fix everything, we can always do something, and that meaningful change often begins with small, deliberate acts of kindness and solidarity.

I came to the UK on a scholarship, which allowed me to pursue an MSc at the University of Sheffield and a PhD at De Montfort University. That opportunity changed the course of my life, and it deepened my belief in the transformative power of education. Since then, I’ve held senior academic and leadership roles in Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Pakistan, and now Wales, always working to widen access, challenge inequality, and uplift underrepresented voices.

At Cardiff Met, I lead a diverse department and support students from all backgrounds to realise their potential. I’ve mentored scholars through the Council for At-Risk Academics (CARA), supported displaced researchers through initiatives like Science for Ukraine, and helped young women from remote communities in Pakistan access international research opportunities. Whether in Wales or South Asia, I’ve always believed that education can be a bridge, to dignity, to empowerment, and to belonging.

Joining the Welsh Refugee Council feels deeply personal. It connects my past with my present, and gives me a chance to give back. I know what it’s like to start over in a new place. I know how vital it is to have someone in your corner. That’s why I’m proud to serve as a trustee, to use my voice, my experience, and my platform to stand alongside those rebuilding their lives with strength, courage, and hope.

Outside of work, I find joy in travelling, reading, mentoring, and spending time with my family, all of which keep me grounded in what truly matters.