From post-doc to present day. Presentation for the NIHR CLAHRC National Conference Careers Day: for postdoc research careers in the allied health professions

1. London, 11th May 2017

2.  My career pathway
 Challenges
 Things that worked for me
 Truthful experience

3. Senior
University
Roles
External
Roles
Researcher
Clinical
Occupational
therapist

5.  Tower House,
General Hospital
 Specialist stroke care
emerging field
 No research culture in
rehabilitation
 Extremely lucky…world
class researchers.

10.  Co-applicant lead applicant
 Small grants
 PhD grant £130,000
 Leading £1 million+ grants and leading teams of
researchers
 External Committee work+++
 Leading National and International initiatives
 Esteem indicators, Prestigious Fellowships,
honours, Senior Investigator
 International opportunities
 CV development……personal development

11.  Diploma
 No ambitious career
plans
 Move into
research…inspirational
people
 Passion

13.  Special environment
 Experienced, world class colleagues
 Piggyback/shadow/lead in my own way
 Supportive, down to earth, encouraging
 Supportive family and friends

14.  Special letter of support to embark on my
MPhil - no first degree
 No funding for Higher Degree fees
 Short term contracts
 Dealing with rejections
 No clear pathway
 No-one in my profession to appraise my
performance or be a role model
 Young children (busy husband and no family)

23.  Head of Division
 Research Board
 Research Strategy
 University 2020 Strategy
 Women in Science
Engineering and
Technology
 Associate Pro-Vice
Chancellor

24.  It isn’t easy…...
 Environment essential
 Mentors very important
 Be tenacious
 Be prepared to move out of your
comfort zone
 Work hard…......own your career!