Rate My Professor Sophie Pieters

Sophie Pieters is the Operations Officer at the Institute of Global Health Innovation (IGHI) at Imperial College London, affiliated with the School of Medicine. In this role, she leads the Julia Anderson Training Programme, which provides paid work experience to individuals with no or limited prior employment history, helping them build skills and access careers in global health and STEM fields. She has overseen multiple cohorts, supporting trainees in contributing to IGHI projects and overcoming barriers to professional opportunities. Pieters has also driven outreach efforts, co-applying for the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Seed Fund to organize the inaugural IGHI Global Health Summer School held from 5th to 9th August 2024 on the South Kensington campus. Targeting sixth-form students over 18 from non-fee-paying London state schools, with priority for those with caring responsibilities or declared disabilities, the week-long event received 41 applications and selected 20 participants (18 from ethnic minorities, including primary and secondary carers). Activities included workshops, a group project on global health topics presented in a 'Dragons' Den' format, guest speaker talks, networking sessions, career skills training, and a visit to the Science Museum. Outcomes included positive feedback on skill development and new connections, with 9 participants inquiring about work or volunteering at IGHI, 2 applying for Julia Anderson Training Programme roles, and 3 requesting further information on internships.

Pieters and her Julia Anderson Training Programme team—comprising Nandini Bhudia, Eleanor Challenger, Nicolette Davies, Deborah Demathieu, Rob Farace, Clarissa Gardner, and Nikita Rathod—were awarded the President's Awards for Excellence in Culture and Community in the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion category in 2022. Her career at Imperial began as an Executive Assistant, followed by a return during the pandemic to her current position; she has also provided maternity cover as Resource Administrator in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. After leaving high school at 18, Pieters held diverse roles including call centre work, cleaning, reception, and management assistance in Belgium and London. She commenced a part-time BA degree in French and History in 2021 and is set to graduate imminently. Her work emphasizes equitable access to academia and professional development in global health.