I’m feeling the immense pain and frustration of researchers right now. I lost my research funding in 2011. It was the end of my research, my team, the career I’d spent almost 20 yrs building. Sacrifices made, hurdles navigated. I was low, it was hard. I hurt. Others hurt for me.
But it wasn’t the worse I’d faced, so I persisted. I wrote letters to Ministers, was founding Chair @EMCRForum, negotiated with my Director. There was no bridging funds, no part-time options, no safety net. But they would keep a few precious mice alive and keep my reagents/bench.
So without salary I did what I could for the next 6 months. I resubmitted grants, obtained new data, and ‘worked’ up until rebuttal. I was in a privileged position with a working partner, so I could. After rebuttal, I built my network & skills for another professional STEM career
I led the amazing @EMCRForum, a team of leaders. I connected with national bodies, governments, met with Ministers, submitted policy recommendations, position papers, reports, convened a National Symposium, learnt comms & media, networked, then networked more.
I found the mentor I’d searched for my entire career, and to this day I wish I’d met him 10 years sooner. I learnt how things worked, how decisions were made - and why. My eyes unveiled, it became a lot clearer now to navigate the STEM ecosystem.
In Australia, a network can help in times of need and crisis. Friends and colleagues will keep an ear out for job opportunities, they will help you obtain the samples you need, they’ll share the knowledge, experience and expertise. It’s what people do - they help.
I was generous with my network, offered to help, talk, volunteer, listen, support. I still am - it’s me. Wonderfully, people were generous in return. They reviewed my CV & apps, did mock interviews, gave advice. I listened. It helped. I was more prepared & less afraid of Plan B.
None of this was in a pandemic context, but my planned future had been disrupted. My unplanned future unclear. In the end, good fortune swung my way for another 4 years, I was funded, back in research, behind the 8 ball, but making progress, it had made future transitions easier.
Nothing will ever be ‘’business as usual” again, but “a new normal”. There are many professionals and leaders in industry and government, who were once researchers. They remain strong champions for the whole sector. 💪🏽💪🏼 #cheeringyouon #InThisTogether
