Biography
Saher has over 20 years’ experience driving equity, diversity and inclusion across higher education, research and the charity sector. Her work has focused on reshaping research culture and opening up opportunities for minoritised groups - from designing the UK’s first positive action Post-Doctoral Fellowship programme, the Sanger Excellence Fellowship, to creating national frameworks such as Project Juno. These programmes have secured funding, broadened participation, and delivering lasting systemic change.
At London Metropolitan University, Saher manages the Charter Marks and Policy work within the Centre for Equity and Inclusion. She is also a Visiting Scholar at the University of Cambridge and Deputy Chair of the Athena Forum, where she collaborate with funders and professional bodies to influence policy and practice at a national level.
Alongside institutional leadership, she advise global organisations including The Royal Society, UN Women, the Wellcome Trust, The Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory and Helmholtz Munich. Saher is passionate about mentoring and supporting future leaders to thrive at every stage of their careers and to help build a more inclusive future for science, research and education.
Publications
“Targeted approaches to supporting people with Black heritage backgrounds in academia and research” (Sanger, Nexus Evaluation Ltd, 2024)
“Equality, Diversity and Inclusion – Targeted action to increase inclusion at the Wellcome Sanger Institute” (E-Life, 2024)
“Exploring the experiences of minoritised groups at life sciences conferences in the UK: new perspectives and actions to improve inclusivity in the sector” (Wellcome Open Research, 2024)
“Sanger Excellence Fellowship Review” (Sanger, Nexus Evaluation Ltd, 2023)
Genome Research Limited Gender Pay Gap Reports (Sanger, 2023)
Blog post on Reflections on Race and Equity on Research (Sanger, 2021)
Athena SWAN Silver submission (Sanger, 2020)
“Embedding Gender Equality into Institutional Strategy” (Global Health, Epidemiology and Genetics, 2017)
“Research Highlights 1 & Research Highlights 2” (Anglia Ruskin University, 2013,14)
“Find Your Competitive Edge – University: Industry Collaborations” (Anglia Ruskin University, 2013)
“Teacher Fellowship – Promoting stronger links between schools and universities” (IOP, 2010)
“A Guide to Industry Visits for Schools Groups” (IOP, 2010)
“Juno Code of Practice – Advancing Women’s Careers in Higher Education” (International Journal of Gender, Science and Technology, 2009)
“Repackaging Physics – selling physics to under-represented groups” (IOP, 2009)
“Access for all – A guide to disability good practice”(IOP, 2008)
“Women in Physics in the UK: Update 2005-2008” (IUPAP International Conference on Women in Physics Seoul, Korea, 2008)
“Why choose physics and chemistry? The influences on physics and chemistry subject choices of BME students” (IOP, 2006)
“Women in University Physics Departments: Statistical Digest” (IOP, 2007)
“Women in University Physics Departments- A site Visit Scheme” (IOP, 2006)
