November 2011 - University of Worcester

STAFF FEATUREThis month we chat to Dr Barbara Mitra, Senior Lecturer in Media & Cultural Studies, who mightseem an unlikely rock star.Rock on:Appearances can be deceiving.At 4’11 Barbara Mitra may bepetite, yet when given a drumkit, the beats she can playwould make anyone want tohead-bang along.Barbara used to be one-fifthof a punk band along withfour male members whowere often paid to playat gigs and support otherartists. Barbara only plays ather local church nowadaysand admits that the music islighter and less noisy.“It may surprise some people when they look at me,” she says.“I’ve had a drum kit since the age of 13 and I still have one now.When people see it, they immediately ask whose it is and lookstraight to my husband.”Throughout her time studying at the University of Hull,Barbara was a member of several bands and enjoyed playinganything from contemporary to jazz.She lived in India for seven months with her relatives whilstresearching her PhD.Barbara has been a Media & Cultural Studies lecturer for sixyears and enjoys how her outlook on life enables her to teach.“I like to challenge people’s opinions,” she says. “I like tounderstand why they think how they do.”Barbara’s philosophical side is also evident in her social life.She is an active member of the Café Philosophique groupwhich she attends every six weeks to discuss philosophicalissues and philosophers’ beliefs.Raised in a Hindu-Catholic environment, Barbara becamea Christian and married her husband, Matthew Jenkins, anatheist, in a registry office.“Many non-believers get married in church,” she says. “So I gotmarried in a registry office … wearing my green Doc Martens.”Barbara now lives with her husband and two young sons inWorcester, where she spends her time creatively from writingpoetry and playing the drums to making her own Christmascards.Barbara listens to a wide and varied range of music, one ofher favourite artists is David Bowie and her claim to fame wasbeing one of Radiohead’s first fans.“My friend and I were into them before they became famous,”says Barbara. “We sent Thom Yorke a letter and he replied; hesaid he never dreamt he would have fans.”Barbara’s talents do not end with her drum kit, however. She isalso an accomplished dancer with a Grade 5 in Ballet, a hobbyshe started over 10 years ago.“I suppose I’m quite driven,” she says. “Even though dancingis my hobby, I also like to study it. I want to know more, I likeintellectual stimulation.”To add to Barbara’s long list of hobbies, she also preaches ather local church and is a member of the Green Party.“We have electric solar panels on the roof and I try to cycle towork whenever I can,” Barbara says.Growing up in the East End of London, Barbara has noticedthat it’s had a major impact on her life and attitude.“I grew up surrounded by many different people,” she says.“Being half Irish and half Indian, I am used to different culturesand I like meeting different people. I was taught to be acceptingof people, whoever they are and wherever they come from.”Top photo: Barbara on her wedding dayBottom photo: Barbara with her bandWhat do you get up to when you leave the Campus? Email Sally Jones with your interesting stories at s.jones@worc.ac.uknewsandviews@worc.ac.uk / NOVEMBER 2011 / 16