Briefly, tell us about your background and experience up to this point?
I spent most of my childhood in Norwich and, despite my parents’ insistence I do anything else other than become a researcher, I went to at the University of Warwick to study biology. I did love learning about the biological world but felt that working in the lab towards a career in research wouldn’t quite suit me, so I decided to change course.
When I was at university, I wrote many articles for the student newspaper and took a Science Communication module which made me realise that I was looking for a career in science communication. After graduating from Warwick, I moved to London to get my MSc Science Communication at Imperial.
Since my graduation, I got my first full-time job in science communication as Communications Assistant in the Faculty, which I’ve been doing for nearly three years now.
What is a typical day at King’s like for you?
My daily routine begins with a nice and short commute to Guy’s Campus, which is pretty much the only point of consistency. My day can involve working on articles for the website, our Faculty newsletter that goes out every Friday, website pages, staff profiles, organising events like the Inaugural Lectures and All Staff Forums, and many other on-going projects. Our team occasionally does video interviews,
What do you do with your time outside academia/work?
If I’m not trying to meet my friends and family then I like to: read, go running in my many local parks, cook overly elaborate meals for my partner, and go to the cinema. I’ve tentatively begun to do some embroidery as well.
My partner is Spanish, so I also take weekly Spanish classes at King’s and spend some of my time studying the language – one day I hope it all makes sense. I’m now beginning to teach myself Cantonese, as my grandparents are from Hong Kong, so that will definitely be another (incredibly) long-term project!
What is your proudest accomplishment?
Within the last twelve months, our team has been working with Manasi Nandi and the DDI team to create the Faculty’s first podcast: Humanising Healthcare. It was great to begin re-learning the editing process for a podcast, and hear from many accomplished scientists about their fields and talk honestly about some of the changes that are required to address inequalities in medicines. I'm delighted to have been involved in a fairly unique project that shone a light on such important topics.
Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?
I love the work that our team does, so I’m aiming to progress in my career and in science communication. However, I have always wanted to live abroad so I’m hoping that I can spend some time working in Europe and travelling throughout the world in the next five years.
What advice would you give to your 18-year-old self?
Just don’t worry so much and don’t be afraid to try new things. You never lost anything, and you have everything to gain by trying something different.
QUICK-FIRE:
Favourite season: Autumn
Favourite book: Very hard to choose, so I have to put two:
- Frankenstein by Mary Shelley – it’s a beautifully written book, by far my favourite book I’ve every studied.
- The Years of Rice and Salt by Kim Stanley Robinson – a rare case of an alternative history novel that isn’t pulp-like.
Favourite cuisine: Chinese – Cantonese specifically
Most-used emoji: 😑 (sorry to all my friends who put up with my messages!)