Ritu is a professor of electrochemistry and analytical chemistry in the Department of Chemistry at Durham University. She achieved her PhD at the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and is a Chartered Chemist and Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry. A female academic from an ethnic minority background, she has worked in the academic field in different capacities in UK for approximately 30 years. Her work experience has resulted in strong national and international links, experience in dealing with an international and diverse community, team-building, networking and organisational, leadership and presentation skills. Her personal experience in the field of higher education has elicited a strong interest in equality and diversity in the scientific arena and a desire to make a difference.