The Daphne Jackson Trust

Experiences of Some Fellows

My year at Glasgow was very good and very rewarding. It allowed me to regain my confidence and get back into working and thinking like a scientist. The daily interaction with other scientists was of great help in learning new techniques and improve my old technical knowledge. The project was based on a PhD project of another scientist. However, important details needed for my project, e.g. information on the RNA and cDNA samples, were missing causing delays. Progress was also affected by the fact that the sequencing machine was only available to me for a very limited time. I had the opportunity to give a short course on sequencing techniques, as well as attending a training course on how to maximise fluorescent sequencing and on medical genetics. Without the help of the Daphne Jackson Fellowship in getting me back into a research laboratory, I know I would have had a more difficult time in securing a permanent and full time position.

I feel I have gained a great deal from my Fellowship. Personally and technically it has given me the opportunity to carry out substantial research in a technology which is still at the demonstration stage in the UK. Apart from knowledge in a specialist field it provided me with the chance to develop more general skills in environmental assessment and management which can have wide application and to fully update other skills especially in the use of IT and monitoring equipment. In addition it has led to establishing many new contacts and directly to me being offered permanent employment and to two short consultancy jobs. Both my host organisation and BSRIA were a substantial distance from where I live, which did involve substantial travelling costs and additional child care costs. In the area in which I live there is virtually no provision in the form of after school care and this option can be expensive if you have several children. Half time working has many advantages but some disadvantages too, in particular child care may be more expensive. Part time working is not always viewed on par with full time employment limiting promotion prospects.

I have found that the Fellowship has enabled me to work in a very enjoyable and flexible manner. Thanks to the very understanding nature of my supervisor, as well as the particular ethos of the Daphne Jackson Fellowship itself, I was able to fit my working day largely around the school day. In addition I have a reliable child-minder as well as access to the local after-school club. I always ensured that I completed twenty hours work a week which usually involved working at home one or two days a week. The laptop computer provided by the Department was invaluable for catching up on research reports and writing papers from home. My colleagues within the department have been very patient and encouraging, and I now feel that I am able to make valuable contribution- in terms of both my newly acquired skills and my previous mathematical experience.

The Daphne Jackson Fellowship has provided me with a much needed opportunity to re-enter research in a field of high interest and activity. I have had personal satisfaction in being able to work with STRAFI MRI, one of the leading edge research, in an investigation of basic physical and chemical diffusion phenomena. Through the work as a Fellow my horizons have been broadened giving me new momentum in my career. I have also met and made friends with many wonderful people.