Meet your colleagues
Name and job title Dr Sara Silvestri, Senior Lecturer in Religion and International Politics and Senior Tutor for Research in the Department of International Politics. I am also a Research Associate with the University of Cambridge.
Now we know your job title, what are your day-to-day activities? Juggling things like teaching, committee meetings, supervisions, filling forms... and luckily, if there is a bit of silence, some reading and writing my own things... just like everybody else! I also do quite a bit of travelling for conferences and am often consulted by the media, governments and international organisations concerning current affairs pertaining to my expertise in terrorism, multiculturalism, Islamism etc.
What is the biggest challenge in your job? Switching off from work mode.
How do you overcome it? Sharing thoughts with my wonderful colleagues and having a laugh together over our common problems.
If you did not do your job, what would you be doing? If I was rich I would be sitting in my Italian home by the sea enjoying myself all day long (I’m joking of course!). I am quite happy and satisfied in the career I have undertaken; it’s a conscious choice I made, having worked in policy circles and in the media.
Who would you invite to your dream dinner party? Oh gosh! I have been lucky enough to meet quite a few important people for dinner and sometimes not for dinner, in my various commitments around the world. You know, in my dream dinner party I would actually invite all those friends that I have scattered around the world, and those I met during my school and university years and whom I have not seen for years.
Favourite place in London? Apart from my old office, which had a window and a nice view of London, I could picture myself living in Islington. I also love the numerous parks in the city.
Favourite film? The Mission (Directed by Roland Joffe).
Favourite book?
What do you do in your spare time and to relax?
The poems written by my friend, David Morante.
I do not really have much spare time but I love my music and my garden. I travel so much for work that my old dream of travelling in faraway places during my holidays has gradually faded away.
Favourite song/music? Blues and Bossa Nova. u
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