Richa Pathak Sharma, IT Systems Architecture “I will always be a STEM student”
Published 8 March 2023
© Crown copyright 2023
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/international-womens-day-2023-embraceequity/richa-pathak-sharma-it-systems-architecture-i-will-always-be-a-stem-student
Written by Richa Pathak Sharma, Lead Architect - Strategy and Architecture, Digital and Technology Group at MHRA
I’ve always been inspired to follow the path of science. I have a curious mind - I need to know why and how things happen. That’s the best thing about working in STEM - never-ending learning, innovation and curiosity.
I have very recently joined the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) as a Lead Architect, but I’ve worked in the civil service for seven years across many different projects, including designing and delivering complex tax and border trade systems.
My role now involves dealing with various stakeholders, suppliers, managers, and external agents to provide the building blocks for IT systems at the very start of a project. I continue to work with the whole team throughout the project lifecycle - from idea, discovery, design, and detail design, through to delivery, going live, and support.
One of the achievements in my career that I’m most proud of is setting up the Women in Tech group for another government organisation, and winning the Best Public Sector Employer award at the Women In Tech Employer Awards.
One of my female heroes is Katherine Johnson. She was a mathematician who worked for NASA. Katherine’s precise calculations were critical for sending astronauts to the moon and back. She also encouraged students to learn about maths and science, and to never give up on their dreams.
Everyone’s career journey is unique so you have to follow your personal passion, just like Katherine Johnson did. My advice is to never stop learning. I believe I’ll always be a student of STEM.