Let's get Physiological

Is a culture of harassment and intimidation growing in research institutions across the UK? And if so, why? That’s the big question we’re asking in this episode as we consider what makes bullying in academia so prevalent and discuss what institutions can do to get on top of the issue. Join Eleanor Newton as she speaks to Jelke Boesten, professor in Gender and Development at King's College London and co-author of the paper ‘Bullying and Harassment in Research and Innovation Environ...

In some ways a career in academia comes with the expectation that you’ll move around to wherever the research takes you. But the prospect of moving to another town, or even another country, can be daunting, even for the most adventurous amongst us. This week we hear the experience of one professor who moved his family from the UK to Ireland in the middle of a global pandemic. Plus, we get insight from a relocation specialist who says the prospect of moving doesn’t have to be a daunting one.&n...

If you could go back in time and tell your younger self one thing, what would it be? This week we’re giving you space to reflect on your own academic careers and some of the lessons you’ve learnt along the way. We discuss why it’s important not to compare yourself to your colleagues, what you can learn from a mentor and how to move past feelings of self-doubt. Join Eleanor Newton as she speaks to Dr Chinedu Agwu, lecturer in Biosciences at Brunel Medical School. And Genelle Aldred, a com...

Where do you begin when the time comes to set up your own research lab? How do you build and manage a new team, apply for funding, and source equipment - all while navigating your new role and responsibilities? In this episode we hear from two academics who have both undertaken this mammoth task. They share their top tips for helping new hires and share some of the lessons they’ve learnt along the way. Join Eleanor Newton as she speaks to Dr Colleen Deane, a lecturer in Muscle Cell Biolo...

Thinking about a change of career and stepping away from your job in academia? Perhaps it’s something you’ve thought about but the idea of searching for your next role seems too daunting? In this episode, we hear one associate professor's story of quitting her job to become a medical writer and why she hasn’t looked back since. We learn practical tips that could help in the search for your next job. Plus, we hear how to process some of the worries that come with transitioning away from a care...

This week we’re exploring what to do if you feel your academic career has hit a roadblock. With the help of our guests, we learn how to accept career stalls as a natural part of life, why we should try to reframe failure as development in disguise and practical tips on how to keep moving forward in our careers. Join Eleanor Newton as she speaks to Tracy Forsyth, a Leadership & Executive Coach and the founder of Fast Track to Fearless. And Dr Daniel Brayson, a lecturer in Life Science...

If you work in science and academia, and find the constant knock backs of applying for funding difficult to cope with, this episode is for you! We share practical tips on how you can make the most of your applications without feeling as though you’ve wasted your time and share some insider tips on how to increase your chances of being accepted for funding. We also learn how to bounce back from the disappointment of a failed grant application. Join Eleanor Newton as she speaks to Professo...

In this episode, we’re asking what happens when you become a mother alongside your job working in science? How do you balance the pressures of academia with your new role as a parent? And do systemic structural barriers still play a role in pushing mother’s away from careers in academia? Join Eleanor Newton as she speaks to Lisa Heather, British Heart Foundation Fellow and Associate Professor at the University of Oxford. And Isabel Torres, co-founder of Mother’s In Science, an organisat...

Chances are we’ll all experience feelings of imposter syndrome at some point during our careers but what causes the phenomenon, who does it affect and what can be done about it? Join Eleanor Newton as she speaks to Rachel Ashworth, Professor of Education in physiology at Three Counties Medical School at the University of Worcester. And Dr Jessamy Hibberd, a chartered clinical psychologist and author of “The Imposter Cure: How to Stop Feeling Like a Fraud and Escape the Mind-trap of Impo...

Looking for a mentor but no idea where to start? Or perhaps you’ve reached a stage in your career where you’re able to share your knowledge and experience with others. In this episode, we hear why seeking out a mentor could help in both your personal and professional growth and why you shouldn’t be afraid to break up with a mentor if the relationship isn’t working for you. Join Eleanor Newton as she speaks to Dr Mark Dallas, Associate Professor in Cellular Neuroscience at the University ...