Harj has worked within various disciplines across the voluntary, statutory and private sector to develop practice with vulnerable clients, including domestic violence, older adults, housing, challenging behaviour, and mental health.
She has embarked on various clinical specialties within the NHS, namely forensic mental health/learning difficulties, acute care, psychiatric liaison, addictions and crisis mental health teams. She has supported many patients with her CBT qualification - national homicide trauma cases working with traumatised/bereaved families through victim support. Between 2012-2013 she treated police officers within a UK based police force to support with trauma. She has extensive experience in treating Road Traffic Accident (RTA) Victims.
Her commitment to equality work has been lifelong, initially rooted in ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø development work for a Race Equality Council. In later years she achieved a Keele Excellence Award for her role as BAME Staff Network Lead/School Equalities Lead.
Harj has participated in Athena Swan and Race Equality Charter processes along with University policy initiatives in the past. She is currently involved in the European Recognition and Education in Violence, Abuse and Neglect for Medical and Healthcare Practitioners (REVAMP) project. She remained actively involved in equality forums at Staffordshire University to promote the Race Equality Charter and, further, the Decolonisation agenda. Harj has appeared on South Asian media programmes talking about mental health and impact on South Asian families. She has made international links to fundraise in India during Covid and built good relationships abroad.
Harj is currently undertaking doctoral research by exploring Domestic Violence and Abuse (DVA) in Sikh families, and the mental health impact on Sikh Women.