Many researchers worry that time away from the lab will affect their confidence, skills and professional networks. What were the biggest challenges you faced when re-entering research?
I was lacking in confidence when I returned to the lab. I felt that I had forgotten most of my technical and transferable skills. Having spent most of my career break looking after my children, I felt that I didn’t have what it took to play a significant role in a research environment.
Juggling my work life balance also came to the fore as I hadn’t had to think about childcare for several years. Arriving in the lab as someone who would require guidance meant asking for help often from many team members – a challenge as I had worked independently for most of my career. I felt there were many obstacles to a successful return in those early weeks.
What was it about the Daphne Jackson Fellowship that made returning to research feel achievable?
There were so many things! The support package that was offered by the Daphne Jackson Trust was invaluable.
From the starting point of writing the research proposal, guidance was there if I needed it. Having a dedicated Fellowship Advisor provided the security of knowing that there was someone at the trust to contact at any point throughout the fellowship if any issues arose. The focussed training courses were tailored to help people in their return to work, and the network of other fellows that I met at these events complemented the support from the DJT employees.
Considering and planning the inclusion of a wide range of relevant techniques as part of the research proposal gave me the best chance to reskill throughout the fellowship. In addition, the process of writing the end of fellowship report – as I didn’t write any research paper during my time at the Drug Discovery Unit – ensured that my scientific writing was refreshed. Being exposed to internal and external seminars played a significant role in understanding novel areas of research within the therapeutic area.
The overall package of the fellowship experience was such that I emerged having confidence in my abilities to continue my research career.
What do you wish employers, funders or fellow researchers better understood about scientists who have taken time away from academia?
My career may be slightly different from the majority of DJT fellows as I have a research background in industry rather than in academia, but a common theme is that taking a break from research for many is not always a choice but is something that is required due to personal circumstances.
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