Women in Connectivity: Dr Lubna Waqar Khan

In the latest Women in Connectivity feature, we speak to Dr Lubna Waqar Khan from Imperial College London about her journey into telecommunications and wireless research, and how her early experiences shaped her interest in the power of connectivity.

Her career spans RF sensing, RFID technologies, IoT systems, smart environments and contactless healthcare monitoring, with a particular interest in how future wireless technologies can be used to address real-world challenges.

Lubna reflects on her experiences as a woman working in engineering and academia, the importance of supportive mentors and research environments, and the value of seeing women in senior leadership positions. She also shares her thoughts on the future of 6G, AI-enabled sensing and healthcare, and offers advice for women and girls considering careers in STEM.

 

Can you tell us about your career journey and what first inspired you to pursue a career in telecommunications and wireless technologies?

I come from a rural background where access to modern facilities and even the internet was quite limited when I was growing up. Because of that, technology always felt powerful to me. I could see how connectivity had the potential to open doors, bring people closer together and create opportunities that were not otherwise easily available. When I began my studies, telecommunications and wireless technologies were developing very rapidly. It was an exciting time for the field, and I became fascinated by how invisible wireless signals could connect people, devices and entire systems. What started as an interest in communication technology gradually developed into a deeper interest in RF and wireless sensing.

After I was endorsed by the Royal Academy of Engineering, I first joined the University of Glasgow (Communication, Sensing and Imaging research group), where I had the opportunity to work with researchers from different countries and disciplines. I was exposed to world-class research facilities and worked on practical applications involving RF technologies, IoT, RF-ID and healthcare. I also gained hands-on experience in prototyping and testing IoT-enabled RF-ID tags using industrial equipment. That experience helped me understand how research can move beyond theory and contribute to real systems and real communities, but I see that as one stage of a much longer journey. Over the years, my interests have increasingly moved towards using wireless technologies for healthcare, smart cities and intelligent environments. I am particularly interested in how RF signals can support contactless technologies.

Looking back, I think my early background played an important role in shaping my motivation. Coming from a place with limited access to technology made me appreciate its value, while my academic and international research experiences showed me what is possible when knowledge, opportunity and collaboration come together. That continues to motivate the work I do today.

Your research spans RF sensing, RFID technologies, IoT systems and contactless healthcare monitoring. What initially attracted you to these areas of research?

For me, the most meaningful research sits at the point where technical innovation meets human need. I am interested not only in whether a system works, but also in whether it is affordable, accessible, secure and respectful of people’s privacy. What attracted me most was the possibility of using wireless technologies to address practical problems that affect people’s everyday lives. As I explored it further, I realised that wireless signals could do much more than transmit information. They could also be used to sense movement, monitor environments, identify objects and support intelligent decision-making. I found it exciting that a small wireless tag or sensor could turn an ordinary physical object into a smart device capable of communicating useful information that can help us understand what is happening in the surrounding environment.

You have worked on innovative applications ranging from smart parking systems to privacy-preserving healthcare solutions. Which project are you most proud of and why?

It is difficult to choose just one because each project has contributed to my development at different stages of my career. However, I am particularly proud of my work on smart RF-ID tags where I designed an RF tag antenna from concept to a successfully working prototype, as well as my research on contactless healthcare monitoring. What makes this area especially meaningful to me is the possibility of developing solutions that are less intrusive and potentially more affordable than some traditional systems. These projects taught me that successful research is not only about technical performance. It must also consider privacy, security, dignity and the real needs of the people who will use the technology.

How do you see RF sensing and contactless monitoring technologies transforming healthcare and everyday life over the next decade?

I believe RF sensing and contactless monitoring will play an increasingly important role in preventative, personalised and home-based healthcare. Instead of relying only on occasional appointments or measurements, contactless systems could help identify meaningful changes in a person’s health or daily behaviour over time. They could support older adults living independently, provide early warnings of falls or health deterioration, and help healthcare professionals make better-informed decisions. Because RF sensing does not necessarily require cameras or wearable devices, it may also be more comfortable and less intrusive in many situations. However, the technology must be developed responsibly. RF signals can reveal sensitive information about people, sometimes without their direct awareness. Over the next decade, progress will depend not only on improving sensing accuracy, but also on building strong security, privacy protection, transparency and public trust into these systems from the beginning.

As a woman working in engineering and telecommunications, have you faced any challenges during your career, and how did you overcome them?

Well, my starting point was different from that of many others. I did not grow up with easy access to modern technology, even during my undergraduate and postgraduate studies. I have spent most of my career in academia and research rather than working directly in the telecommunications industry.

There is a common perception that it is always more difficult for women to thrive in male-dominated fields, but in my experience, it often depends less on the field itself and more on the people and the working environment around you. Some experiences can be challenging, while others can be genuinely supportive and encouraging. I have experienced both, but I would prefer to focus on the positive and not mention the worst. I am especially grateful to (Prof. Qammer Abbasi) and (Prof. Muhammad Ali Imran) for creating an inclusive environment and for being consistently supportive of women’s progress and success in the field. Their encouragement and professional support have made a meaningful difference to my journey.

For the past two years, I have also been fortunate to work in a research environment led by a woman, Prof. Julie A. McCann, who has such wide-ranging academic and leadership responsibilities. This has been extremely encouraging and inspiring for me.

It has given me the opportunity to see first-hand how a woman can lead a major national research programme such as the CHEDDAR Hub, bring together researchers from different institutions and disciplines, and create an environment where new ideas are encouraged and early-career researchers are supported to develop and succeed.

For someone like me, who has spent most of her career in academia and is continuing to develop her confidence and research identity, having the opportunity to work under a successful woman has been especially meaningful. Representation of women at senior levels allows younger women to see that leadership in engineering, computing and telecommunications is both possible and achievable. Her example has encouraged me to be more ambitious in my own work, to communicate my ideas with greater confidence and to think beyond individual research outputs towards the wider contribution that research can make. It has also strengthened my desire to support other women and early-career researchers as they build their own paths in engineering and academia.

I have learned not to let difficult times define what I believe I can achieve. Give yourself time, maintain a positive mindset, and embrace the good experiences along the way. Each one offers an opportunity to learn, reflect and grow. I understand that challenges do not disappear completely, but experience helps you respond to them with greater confidence. Over time, I have become more comfortable speaking about my work, recognising the value of my contribution and supporting others who may be facing similar barriers.

Were there any mentors, colleagues or role models who helped shape your career, and what lessons did they teach you?

I have been fortunate to work with mentors who genuinely supported my growth. Professor Qammer Abbasi and Professor Muhammad Ali Imran encouraged me to believe in my abilities, guided me and helped me recognise the value of my work. Also, working with Professor Julie A. McCann, has been especially inspiring to me. Seeing her lead the CHEDDAR Hub and bring together researchers across institutions has shown me that strong leadership is about creating opportunities, supporting others and building a research community where people can thrive. I am grateful to all.

What excites you most about the future of connectivity research, particularly as we move towards 6G and increasingly intelligent wireless systems?

What excites me most is that future wireless systems will not simply connect people and devices. They will be able to sense, interpret and respond to the physical world around them. Instead of networks functioning only as communication channels, they could become intelligent platforms that understand their surroundings and adapt to users’ needs. I am particularly interested in the combination of RF sensing and AI for healthcare. Intelligent wireless systems could support early detection, remote monitoring and more personalised forms of care. At the same time, these developments raise important questions. How do we make the systems reliable? How do we protect the information they collect? How do we prevent useful sensing technologies from becoming invisible forms of surveillance?

The technical possibilities are exciting, but I believe the real success of future connectivity will depend on whether we can make it secure, sustainable, inclusive and centred on human needs.

Research careers can be demanding. How do you maintain motivation and resilience when facing setbacks or challenges in your work?

Setbacks are a normal part of research, although they are never easy. Experiments fail, papers are rejected, equipment does not always behave as expected, and sometimes an idea that seemed promising does not produce the results we hoped for.

I learned from Prof. Julie A. McCann that, when setbacks like this happen, we should try not to see them as a final judgement on our abilities. Instead, we should take a step back, reflect on what the experience can teach us, and think about where we can improve.

I remember receiving feedback from Julie on one of our projects that helped transform it from an average piece of work into something much stronger. I’m now much prouder of the final result, and the experience showed me just how valuable constructive feedback can be.

It also helps to break larger challenges down into smaller, more manageable steps. Focusing on the next action you can take is often far more helpful than becoming overwhelmed by the problem as a whole.

Speaking with colleagues can make a significant difference too. Research can sometimes feel isolating, particularly when something is not working as expected, but discussing the problem with others can offer a fresh perspective and remind you that they may have faced similar difficulties themselves.

Don’t hesitate to talk openly with your team and PI about the steps that haven’t worked. I’ve received invaluable support from my own team at times when I felt completely stuck and couldn’t see a way forward. Their advice and different perspectives often helped me find a solution and move on to the next step.

What skills, experiences or qualities do you think are most important for young women who want to build a career in telecommunications, wireless communications or engineering?

A strong technical foundation is important, but technical knowledge is only one part of building a successful career. Curiosity is essential as the technology changes very quickly. You need to be willing to continue learning and explore unfamiliar areas. Programming, data analysis, equipment handling and practical laboratory experience can all be valuable, particularly in telecommunications and wireless research. Mentors and supportive professional networks can also provide valuable advice and encouragement.

Most importantly, you should not feel that you need to know everything before you begin. Confidence often develops through experience. It is perfectly normal to ask questions, make mistakes and learn along the way.

What advice would you give to girls and young women who are interested in STEM but may not yet see themselves pursuing a career in research or engineering?

I would tell them that there is no single type of person who belongs in STEM. You do not have to fit a particular image, come from a certain background or have your whole career planned from the beginning. Start with something small. Try a simple project, join a workshop, learn basic coding, speak to someone working in the field or explore how science and technology connect with something you already care about. Do not be discouraged if you are one of only a few girls or women in the room. Your perspective is valuable, and the field needs people with different backgrounds, experiences and ways of thinking. You do not need to feel completely ready before you begin. Take the first step, remain open to learning and allow your confidence to grow with experience.