Circle Mentors:
- Dr Daniel Okeowo is a Lecturer in Pharmacy Practice at the School of Pharmacy, Newcastle University. He earned his Master’s degree in Pharmacy from the University of Durham and Newcastle University in 2018, completing a dissertation titled “Clinical Practice Guidelines for Older Patients with Multi-morbidities – What Are the Implications for Deprescribing.” Following his pre-registration year at University College London Hospitals, Daniel became a registered pharmacist in August 2019. He went on to pursue a PhD at the University of Leeds, funded by the NIHR Yorkshire and Humber Patient Safety and Translation Research Centre, focusing on “How to Safely and Routinely Implement Deprescribing in Primary Care.” Following this, Daniel took up a lectureship role at Newcastle University’s School of Pharmacy
- Dr Donald Palmer has a BSc in Medical Sciences from Bradford University, MSc in Immunology at KCL and a PhD from MRC, Clinical Sciences Centre. Donald worked in laboratories at Cancer Research and Imperial College London; in the latter he successfully obtained an MRC Career Development Award. He joined the Royal Veterinary College, University of London in 2002 and is currently an Associate Professor of Immunology.
Thinking about pairing your PhD journey with a role in consultancy or another industry? It’s definitely possible, but it might require some creativity to shape a career that truly fits you. Combining academic research with practical industry work can be incredibly rewarding. Let’s explore how you might navigate this path.
Why Combine Academia and Industry?
Splitting your time between research and practice offers unique advantages:
- Keeps Research Relevant: Your academic work stays grounded in real-world challenges and current industry practices.
- Brings Fresh Insights: You can introduce evidence-based perspectives and cutting-edge research into your industry role.
In many fields, this blend is highly valuable. Think about established academic-clinical roles where professionals split their time between university work and patient care. A similar model could work well for a consultancy-academic position. The key is often making a strong case for the value you bring to both sides. Don’t be afraid to try and build the role you want, especially if it doesn’t neatly fit into existing boxes.
Finding Your Way: Bridging the Gap
So, how do you start bridging the gap between the academic world and industry?
- Follow Your Passion: Start by figuring out what truly drives you. What problems do you want to solve? What kind of impact do you want to make? This can guide you toward roles and fields that genuinely excite you.
- Stay Open: Be receptive to unexpected opportunities. Sometimes the most interesting paths aren’t the ones you initially planned.
- Get Involved: Engage with learning societies (like the British Psychological Society or British Immunology Society, depending on your field) and relevant charities. These organisations can open doors to new avenues, such as working in education policy or representation, that you might not have considered. Often, valuable experiences come from being in the right place at the right time and saying “yes” to new possibilities.
Networking: Making Connections
Networking can feel intimidating, especially if you feel like you don’t quite “fit” the mould in certain professional spaces due to your culture, background, or identity. This is a common feeling, particularly in fields where diversity and representation are still developing.
- Remember You Belong: It’s crucial to remind yourself that you have earned your place and have every right to be in the room.
- Start Simple: Networking doesn’t have to be complicated. Often, it starts with a simple introduction – asking someone their name or showing genuine interest in their work. You might be surprised how often you find common ground.
- Build Gradually: If a conversation flows well, consider exchanging contact details or connecting on LinkedIn. Small steps can lead to lasting professional relationships.
- Get Involved Structurally: Joining student committees or groups that organise events is a fantastic way to network during or after your PhD. These roles provide natural opportunities to meet people and build confidence, often with a clear purpose for reaching out, which can ease the pressure.
Navigating Your Identity in Professional Spaces
For individuals from racially minoritised backgrounds, academic and professional environments can sometimes feel isolating.
- Affirm Your Journey: Remind yourself of the effort, achievements, and resilience that brought you to where you are. Reflecting on your journey reinforces that you’ve earned your place and deserve to have your voice heard.
- Build Your Support System: Connect with mentors, peers, or communities who understand and validate your experiences. This network can offer invaluable encouragement and boost your confidence. Finding or creating a sense of belonging is key.
- Your Presence Matters: While it might take time to feel completely comfortable, remember that your presence and perspective are valuable additions to any conversation or field.
Applying for Research Grants: Tips for Success
Thinking about funding your research ideas? Here’s a practical approach:
- Define Your Idea: Be crystal clear about what you want to achieve and who you need on your team to make it happen.
- Build the Right Team: Think carefully about the skills, experience, and perspectives each member brings. Ask yourself:
- What unique contribution does each person make?
- Is there diverse expertise, or too much overlap?
- What does the overall team composition look like (consider EDI)?
- Leverage Your PhD Skills: Remember, completing a PhD proposal involves planning timelines, setting objectives, and outlining research – you already possess many core grant-writing skills!
- Be Resilient: Grant applications aren’t always successful on the first try. View the process itself as a valuable learning experience that strengthens your skills for future opportunities.
- Look for Opportunities: Explore funding bodies like the Wellcome Trust, research councils (UKRI), and relevant charities (e.g., the Black Research Consortium).
Collaboration and Co-Authoring Research
Working with others on research is common and can happen in a few ways:
- From the Start: You might be involved in developing a grant proposal and shaping the study from its inception as part of the core team.
- Joining Later: An existing research team might identify a need for your specific expertise (e.g., data analysis, literature review) and invite you to contribute. Don’t hesitate to express interest if you see a project where you could add value – researchers are often looking for collaborators.
- Taking Initiative: If you have a strong idea, consider pitching it to a journal editor or relevant researchers. Discuss potential publications arising from your PhD work with your supervisor.
Remember, collaboration doesn’t always mean leading. Valuable contributions can be recognized through co-authorship. Aiming for a steady output (e.g. a couple of papers a year) and spreading publications across your PhD and early postdoctoral years can help maintain momentum.
Key Takeaways
- You Belong: Reflect on your journey and achievements – you’ve earned your place.
- Seek Opportunity: Talent is widespread, but opportunity isn’t always obvious. Be proactive, network, and put yourself out there.
- Craft Your Path: Don’t be afraid to combine your interests and build a career that blends academia and industry in a way that works for you.
A big thank you to our mentors Dr Daniel Okeowo and Dr Donald Palmer for candidly sharing their insights and expertise. We hope this summary will be a useful resource for all of our PGRs.