Case Study 1
Dr Miriam Gifford, School of Life Sciences
My position as an academic at Warwick 12 years ago was my first after postdoctoral research, and 12 years later I am a Reader and Deputy Head of School. I feel that I have progressed tremendously, not only professionally but also personally and scientifically. I have a good balance between all of these development areas, which is crucial not just for progression within Warwick, but also for my research profile internationally. At the same time, I am able to balance (sometimes juggle!) a busy family life with two school age children, the eldest of which was only 11 months when I started, and the youngest who was born just a couple of years into my time as an Assistant Professor.
Every step along the way has been important, building (mostly!) upwards. There are many specific activities that have helped me to progress, in combination with excellent mentoring, but above all it has come from the supportive culture and practice of the School of Life Sciences and Warwick.
Opportunities in Life Sciences are not simply advertised, but championed, and leaders of our staff development groups personally approach those who might benefit. Everyone is valued and pushed to succeed by suggesting such opportunities. Importantly, the time it takes to attend workshops AND time to reflect and implement new ideas afterwards are both recognised.
Professionally, I have benefited from our support for career progression setting out clear guidelines for success and promotion, and I was put forward to be involved in strategy and decision-making in the department early in my career. Our committees roll their membership and are routinely monitored to ensure that they include a balance of career stages, background, gender and opinions – everyone is valued and everyone is included. When research themes were set up in Life Sciences these again supported my career development since they encouraged discussion of scientific ideas and peer review, underpinning excellent grant and paper writing. I also gained experience of leadership through co-leading our synthetic biology and biotechnology theme and then later leading the plant and crop science theme. I now sit as a core member of a BBSRC funding committee, building on the departmental opportunities that gave me the expertise, experience and motivation to put myself forward.
In terms of personal development, I have been inspired by the progression colleagues who had attended the Aurora Leadership programme. I was encouraged to apply to this by our Athena SWAN chair and was supported with departmental funding to attend. Just as valuable as the scheme itself was the mentoring I was then able to access. Since then I have also benefitted from completing the Warwick Leadership Programme.
The School of Life Sciences’ practices underpin my success in yet another way – they support the development of my research group. For example, my postdoctoral researcher was able to gain support in applying for, taking up and returning from maternity leave. Our series of ‘Beacon’ events organized by Life Sciences with the Medical School also act to inspire and encourage my students and staff. They see that we take their development seriously and they are included as members of our committees – on departmental culture and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, teaching, research and strategic development.
Overall then, I have benefited personally from our practices, and know that they will continue to support all in Life Sciences and at Warwick, as I will be championing these going forward.