13/08/2025
Congratulations to our IEP UK Member of the Month, Khatera Ahmad MIEP from Belina Grow!
Khatera has been nominated for her exceptional academic achievements and research that has made a significant contribution to understanding workplace equity for South Asian women.
Khatera said she was deeply honoured to be named IEP UK’s Member of the Month for July 2025.
“Thank you so much for this recognition, I’m incredibly grateful to be part of the IEP community, where learning, equity, and professional development are truly valued,” she said.
“I am deeply honoured to have been named IEP UK’s Member of the Month for July 2025. I would like to express my sincere gratitude for this meaningful recognition it is both a privilege and a humbling experience to be acknowledged in this way. I extend my heartfelt thanks to those who supported and nominated me; your confidence in me is greatly appreciated and means a great deal. I am particularly grateful to Liz Sewell FIEP and Heather Ette FIEP for their unwavering encouragement and guidance, both during my academic studies and throughout my professional journey at Belina Grow.
“Being recognised for my academic journey and research into the work-life balance of South Asian working mothers is deeply meaningful. This award is not just about personal achievement, it reflects the stories and voices of women who are often overlooked, and I’m proud to have brought their experiences to the forefront.
“IEP’s commitment to shaping an inclusive and supportive Employability Sector inspires me, and I remain dedicated to contributing to that mission through both my work at Belina Grow and my ongoing advocacy.”
Full reason for nomination put forward by the IEP Team:
“Khatera Ahmad MIEP from Belina Grow has achieved exceptional academic success, earning a First Class Honours degree from Brunel University for her dissertation on “The Work-Life Balance of South Asian Working Mothers” – the only student in her cohort to achieve this distinction. Her groundbreaking research was recognised with the University’s award for best dissertation of the year and has made a significant contribution to academic understanding by introducing the innovative “Triple Bind Model,” a new theoretical framework analysing the unique challenges faced by South Asian working mothers who must simultaneously navigate domestic caregiving responsibilities for children and elderly parents, maintain professional employment, and provide financial support to families in their countries of origin.
“Khatera’s research, which included extensive interviews with participants including Saeema Yusuf MIEP from Belina Grow, has been praised for giving voice to a previously underrepresented demographic and offers valuable insights for Employability Specialists seeking to better support South Asian women in the workplace. Beyond her academic excellence, Khatera demonstrated exceptional leadership as a student representative, receiving recognition as the most active representative in her programme, making her a deserving candidate for recognition both for her outstanding personal achievement and her meaningful contribution to understanding workplace equity for South Asian women.”
You can hear about Khatera’s project on this podcast, ‘Work-Life Balance Struggles that South Asian Mothers are Facing in the UK’:
Know an IEP Member who deserves recognition for their excellent work? Send us your MOTM nominations to membership@iemployability.org