Disability as Opportunity: Dr Hamied Haroon’s Journey to a Successful Career in Science

Disability History Month is a great time to reflect on the contributions of the disabled community not only in the past, but also in the here and now. With this year’s Disability History Month theme being Disability, Livelihood and Employment, we will be speaking with Disabled people working across science, art and sport, reflecting on their career journeys and getting some advice on how other Disabled people can get involved in their chosen field.

This week, we’re taking to the labs and talking science with Dr Hamied Haroon! Working as a research fellow and scientist at the University of Manchester, Hamied was born with the genetic condition, Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome, which affects his body’s peripheral nerves.

Discovering Science

A proud Mancunian of Pakistani heritage, Hamied first attended a special primary school for Disabled children before moving to mainstream high school. Education, along with TV programmes like Tomorrow’s World and Star Trek, opened his eyes to the world of science.

“On Star Trek Doctor McCoy had a probe he could swish at someone, diagnose them and give them a pill and they’d be fine. So, I wanted to do that, I wanted to become a doctor”, Hamied smiles.

Hamied’s eventual career path would take him into the world of medical physics and he cites a particular role model of his:

“Cliché maybe, but while I was growing up Professor Stephen Hawking was my biggest inspiration. Seeing a Disabled person so out there as a Disabled person and contributing such amazing things to the field of science, he was a real role model for me.”

The Role of a Physicist

Today Hamied’s work is around biomedical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) which involves using the physics of MRI scanners to measure the structure, function, perfusion and chemical make-up of the body.

When Hamied isn’t jet-setting to conferences in places like Hawaii and the South of France (which he assures us is for science!) or working with neurosurgeons on stroke and traumatic brain injury projects, his everyday responsibilities include programming, coding and analysing data.

If You Can’t Break a Barrier, Move it

Reflecting on the impact his experiences of disability have had on his career journey, Hamied says that being disabled definitely put a barrier between him and getting into medicine, but “sometimes failure and rejection are actually a gamechanger and can open doors you wouldn’t have otherwise opened.”

He continues: “I think being disabled has given me a path that has been more exciting, more influencing in many ways and just more enriching. I get to train doctors and teach them the skills I have.”

Beyond the World of Work

Outside of work, Hamied is a judge for the Shaw Trust’s Disability Power 100 List and chairs the National Association of Disabled Staff Networks which he established with help from his colleagues. The Network aims to change the experience of Disabled people in the workplace for the better:

“There is a big issue when you’re disabled that you feel alone. You feel isolated, like you’re the only one that’s facing these difficulties, but when you can come together as a network to share stories, there’s power in that.”

Thoughts on Disability History Month

With a real passion for disability rights, Hamied emphasises the importance of intersectionality during Disability History Month, especially when it comes to unseen disabilities.

“Disability History Month is a great time to reflect on how far we’ve come as Disabled people, to take pride in that and acknowledge those Disabled people who have been part of our history but maybe have not been as visible in terms of their disability. There is such a range and depth and richness in disability and it’s important that we acknowledge this and celebrate our contributions and look at what we can do going forward to be part of the history that we will be celebrating in the future.”

Looking to a Career in Science?

If you’re reading this blog thinking “I want to do that! I want to be a scientist!”, Hamied has some advice to help get you there:

“Find out what’s around you and get involved. It’s really important that we challenge barriers as well. There are great learned societies and organisations as well as public engagement opportunities. Just talk to people as well, find people, that’s how I got into what I do is by finding people that are really supportive and understanding.”

Finally, Hamied urges: “Don’t let anything hold you back, push forward. Live your dreams.”