March 9, 2015

QandA with Associate Professor Karen Charlton

Associate Professor Karen Charlton shares some insight into what makes her tick. 

Why do you do what you do?
I teach in the Nutrition & Dietetics programme at the University of Wollongong. I am an accredited practising dietitian but have worked in research and teaching positions for over 25 years. I am committed to teaching students to be competent and ethical practitioners in improving the health of populations through nutritional interventions, programmes and policy.

What are you passionate about?
Improving health, especially in disadvantaged communities.
 
What's your interpretation or measurement of success?
Getting through the washing pile at home by Friday, my day off! No seriously, it is difficult to balance family life, being a wife and mother of three, with being a successful and efficient academic. I always feel a thrill when I have a research article published, especially if it is the result of the hard work of one of my students.

What do you value about higher education?
The opportunity to shape people’s thinking about new ways to approach old problems. Whether it be improving food security in African communities,  advocating for food companies to lower salt in their products, or ensuring unborn babies are exposed to enough iodine in the womb to optimise brain development we need critical thinkers that are not scared to step out of the box and try something new.  

Who inspires you and why?
My father inspires me, despite poor beginnings in the North East of England  - and no tertiary education - he has become a successful business man whose hard work and determination has paid off. His kind and generous nature has shown me that honesty and social responsibility can be applied in the business world. Examples of human kindness   inspire me much more than traditional measures of success such as fame and wealth. Of course, coming from South Africa I also have to say Nelson Mandela, he showed the world that forgiveness conquers all.