60 Seconds With… Aimée Hardy

Tell us a little about your work… 

I am Culture and Inclusion Manager in the Research & Information Team at the House of Commons. I am fortunate that my role allows me to work on a wide variety of projects with lots of different people. My work focuses on developing, implementing, and improving diversity and inclusion strategies and policies and building a positive working culture. Some examples of this are: running reciprocal mentoring programmes; creating content to improve awareness and celebrate diversity; providing training; outreach and widening participation work; reviewing projects and processes to ascertain whether they are inclusive and equitable, and much more!

Why have you come to UCL as a Parliamentary Fellow?

I have come to work on a research project around teaching modern languages. Until recently, I was a secondary school languages teacher and leader. Having come from a disadvantaged background myself (and not speaking any other languages growing up) I went on to study at the University of Sheffield and gained a scholarship to study an MA in Dutch at UCL, so I am incredibly passionate about widening participation and improving engagement in language learning.

What inspires you in your work?

It may sound corny, but people inspire me! Ultimately, I am a teacher to my core and being able to help others reach their potential and flourish is the best feeling. I am inspired by people showing up for others, and people coming together to bring about change for good.

What has been your most memorable career moment so far?

The most memorable are whenever I felt I inspired young people to love languages, or that I made a positive difference to them somehow. Also attending a debate in the Commons during my first week that turned out to be very significant; history was being written right before my eyes!

What passions/hobbies do you have outside of work?

Music is my greatest passion, especially live music. Languages too! I am also a foodie and love to lift really heavy weights! (Balance :))

What book is currently on your bedside table?

I always have a fiction and a non-fiction at the same time – I have ADHD and find it difficult to do one thing at once! Currently I am reading:
‘Mind the Inclusion Gap’ by Suzy Levy and ‘Confession with Blue Horses’ by Sophie Hardach.