Julie Langan-Martin, Clinical Senior Lecturer in Mental Health and Wellbeing and IHW's Deputy Athena Swan Champion, tells us about the institute roles she combines with her work as a consultant psychiatrist, and the importance of exercise in her life – come rain, shine or snow! 

Photo of Julie Langan Martin

Tell us a bit about what you do in IHW

I have been part of IHW for around ten years. I have a very varied role day to day. During term time, I spend a significant amount of time undertaking teaching-related activities on the Global Mental Health Masters Programmes. For example, delivering sessions, marking, supervising student projects, and developing new course content. I have also been involved in developing a micro-credential and several massive open online courses (MOOCs) with colleagues in IHW and beyond. Over recent years my research interests have shifted to having a more pedagogical focus, but I am still very much interested in health inequalities for people with serious mental illness.

I work clinically as a Consultant Psychiatrist in South Glasgow so at other times during the week I undertake clinical duties such as ward rounds. I supervise psychiatrists and GPs in training as well as medical students who are on placement. I am a member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland "Choose Psychiatry" group which aims to improve recruitment and retainment within psychiatry in Scotland.

I have been a member of the Athena Swan SAT since in its inception and I have been a member of the UG/PGT group since 2016. I took up post as Deputy SAT Chair in January 2022.

What do you enjoy about your role?

There are lots of things I enjoy about my role within IHW. I enjoy the variety of the work that I undertake. To say no two days are ever the same is very true. I enjoy the collaborative nature of the work and I enjoy seeing the students' progress following completion of the MSc.

What are the challenges?

There have been lots of challenges over the past couple of years especially with COVID. The shift to remote working and studying has brought significant challenges for everyone. For me, like many others, ensuring a healthy work/life balance has at times been challenging.

What is the best thing about working in IHW?

I have found the flexibility in working patterns to be very helpful in terms of managing my work/life balance. I also enjoy the variety of the work and people I get to meet.

Tell us something we might not know about you

During the first lockdown we as a family started a daily walking/exercising streak. Despite periods of self-isolation (and COVID) we have kept this going come rain, sun or snow and we are currently on Day 731 (and counting)!

When or where are you happiest?

I am usually at my happiest outside exercising with my family in the sunshine(!)

Any secret – or not so secret! – ambitions?

I enjoy running but have never managed to get above the half marathon distance. I would at some point like to run a marathon.

Do you have a favourite quote or saying, or mantra by which you try to live your life?

During the October week last year, I took my daughter to the Scary Fairy Trail in Loch Lomond and came across this, which I think sums up the last two years quite well:

placard about teaching on zoom

If you would like to appear in "Five minutes with...", do please get in touch (jane.goodfellow@glasgow.ac.uk)! We aim to alternate professional services and research/teaching staff profiles, and feature colleagues from across a wide range of roles and grades within our institute. 

First published: 21 April 2022

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