I initially trained as a surgeon and became interested in mental health following involvement with human rights groups working with children traumatised in ethnic violence in New Delhi. I trained as a psychiatrist at the Post-graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGI), Chandigarh, and moved to the UK in 1991.
I was a Lecturer and Consultant in Nottingham and in 2001 was appointed Senior Lecturer at St George's University of London. There I developed the ETHOS early intervention service, which gained an international reputation for its success in improving outcomes for young people with psychosis and for its cost-effective use of resources.
I was appointed Professor of Social and Community Psychiatry at the University of Warwick in March 2006. I became Head of Division, Mental health and Wellbeing in December 2010.
I have conducted research in political violence, youth mental health, ethnicity and culture in psychiatry, mental health law, medical education and somatisation disorders.
Between 1994-2001 I was Trustee of an Oxford-based Charity, Action for Children in Conflict
I was appointed Commissioner for Equality and Human Rights Commission in Dec 2012