M25 SpeedMeet

Welcome to M25 SpeedMeet. Every month we meet someone working in an M25 member institution and ask them to tell us a little bit about themselves.

One of the three strategic themes of the M25 Strategic Plan is connecting and collaborating through our network. Our aim is to provide a regional network whose members offer multiple perspectives that can inform decision making, and facilitate opportunities for networking and joint working on shared issues. What better way to do this than to meet?

Record it or write it

We’re keen to meet even more members so if you’d like to feature in the M25 SpeedMeet, please contact m25libadmin@london.ac.uk. You can send in your replies to our questions or alternatively video your answers and we’ll show the video here.

July 2025: Dr Janice Fernandes

Who are you, where are you based and what do you do?

I am Dr. Janice Fernandes. I am the Academic Support Manager at the University of West London. I am also the Subject Librarian for the School of Medicine and Biosciences and the London College of Music. I lead academic support for a group of designated schools while working with colleagues to deliver information literacy to students and staff.

What do you most enjoy about your job?

This dual role has provided me with a nice mix of collecting evidence to frame policies and guidelines at one end and seeing them applied at the other. My liaison with academics has provided me with an understanding of the expectations of the academic education arena in the UK. Simultaneously, engaging with the students through information literacy sessions and personalized interactions gives me a view of how students think, write and work; this helps shape further projects focused on student engagement. Ranganathan’s Five Laws of Library Science forms the base of my knowledge and efforts at Librarianship.

What motivates you in your work?

My strongest motivator is the satisfied faces of students when they understand the literature review; those sighs of relief when the referencing has been sorted out, and the jubilation when they achieve a good grade. However, I am greatly inspired by graduating students going on to do well in their chosen careers and I know that they make us proud.

Artificial Intelligence excites me, inspires me and often frightens me! Yet I am keen to learn more and have a voice in the ongoing conversation both in terms of supporting researchers as well as thinking about Academic Integrity and the future of university education in the years to come.

I am truly blessed to have an amazing line manager and great colleagues who continue to excite and challenge me through their thought-provoking questions in the room.

How has/can the M25 Consortium support you in your career?

I moved from India to the UK nine years ago. My initial exposure to the M25 was only through the newsletters and events that were shared with us. When I attended some of those events and enjoyed them and learnt so much from them, I developed a sense of purpose in planning and rolling out these programmes for our information professionals. My stint in event management coupled with my experience across countries, libraries and roles motivated me to become a part of cpd25 Task Group Four – Personal, Management and Business Skills. Building connections, collaborating on projects and sharing knowledge and experiences has not only increased visibility but has helped shape the direction of my career in librarianship.

What would it surprise people to know about you?

I am from Goa, born and brought up in Mumbai – an Indian with a Portuguese passport. I speak multiple languages and enjoy watching the faces of newly inducted students when I join in their conversations in their native language. The initial surprise turns into delight as they realize they can express themselves and explain their confusion, doubts or fears. I am always amazed at how language (besides food!) has the power to bridge gaps and make people feel welcomed.

Complete the sentence: If I wasn’t working in a library I would be

If I wasn’t working in a library, I would be an author or a poet because I have so much to say (People say I am always talking animatedly!) and not enough time. I love life and living and look at nature with wonder and amazement as I try to fathom the wisdom and emotion in the words of Khalil Gibran:

“We choose our joys and sorrows long before we experience them.
When you are joyous,
look deep into your heart
and you shall find
it is only that which has given you sorrow
that is giving you joy”
(from The Prophet, Khalil Gibran, 1923)

Read more SpeedMeet interviews here:

2025

Helen Curtis, Director of Learning Resources and University Librarian at Oxford Brookes University

Dan Herbert, Library Buildings Development Manager, Queen Mary, University of London

Polly Mortimer, Library Manager and Learning Support Lead, British Psychotherapy Foundation

John Heyderman, Library Assistant, Library, Archives & Open Research Services, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Ian Clark, Academic Services Manager, University of East London

Delilah Wallbank, Weekend Services Assistant, Information & Library Services Directorate, University of Greenwich

2024

Chris Foreman, Associate Director of Library Services at University of the Arts, London

Tom Pratt, Associate Director (User Experience and Engagement)
Library, Archives and Learning Services, University of East London

Vicky Robertson, Deputy Librarian, UCL School of Pharmacy Library