The Daphne Jackson Trust Working towards a brighter future The Daphne Jackson Trust Chairman’s Annual Report 2008 Introduction Contents The Daphne Jackson Trust had a successful year in 2008 seeing another increase in numbers of Chairman’s Introduction 3 Fellowships awarded. The Daphne Jackson Trust In 2008 4 During a year in which some may have thought the global economic Fellows in Post 2008 problems would have a negative impact on the charitable sector, Fellowships that commenced in 2008 8 the Trust has continued to drive forward the agenda of returners, Fellowships that continued in 2008 13 highlighting the fact that the need to return skilled scientists to the Fellowships that finished in 2008 14 workforce is greater than ever. Despite the economic downturn the Trust continues to work with an impressive number of Sponsors Director’s Report 15 whose continued support is essential for the growth that we have Trust Summary 2008 17 seen over the past year. Sponsors and Donors 18 The results of last year’s efforts to increase the numbers of Trustees and sponsors have been impressive. During the year we welcomed Committees & Administration during 2008 19 seven new Trustees who bring a range of expertise with them. This is a crucial time in the Trust’s development and the Trustees have a key role in ensuring the continued success and reputation of the Trust. Having worked very hard to encourage the involvement of all UK Universities, the Trust is now seeing the results with an ever increasing number of Universities sponsoring and hosting Fellowships. It is always a great pity to lose Trustees who have worked hard for the Trust over a number of years and during 2008 we said farewell to Dr Mary Harris and Mrs Dorothy Hatfield. Both Trustees are members of the Women’s Engineering Society and have put a huge amount of time and effort into their work with the Daphne Jackson Trust. The dedication and time given by all those who work for and support the Trust, especially on a voluntary basis, is very much appreciated. I would like to thank everyone who has worked so hard in 2008. Professor Christopher Snowden FRS FREng FIEE FIEEE FCGI Chairman of the Daphne Jackson Trust 3 “ What a boost this first year as a Daphne The Daphne Jackson Fellow was! Professionally, I’m now back on track with the prospect Jackson Trust of a thrilling new career in Mrs Jennifer Woolley, Trust Director, with Daphne Jackson Trust Fellows climate-change ecology” at the presentation skills course at the University of Surrey Retraining One of the elements of a Daphne Jackson Fellowship is in 2008 the individual training programme devised by the Fellow to increase their employability. Training needs will vary This has been another very positive year for the Daphne Jackson Trust depending on the length of career break and the research as it continues to forge ahead as the only organisation in the UK solely topic, as well as whether a Fellow needs to change their field dedicated to returning scientists, engineers and technologists to their of expertise slightly to broaden career prospects. Fellows are encouraged to consider future career options at all stages of careers after a break. the application process and Fellowship. All Fellows need to undertake 100 hours of training in each year of the Fellowship During the year twenty three new Fellowships commenced at universities and and this can comprise of lectures and courses offered by research establishments around the UK. These Fellowships span the range the host institution, learning new experimental techniques, of subject areas in science, engineering and technology (SET) from the study attendance at summer schools and conferences as well as skills courses offered by the Trust. of bats and the ecology and conservation of fish stocks to the Large Hadron During 2008 the Trust ran a very successful presentation Collider in CERN. skills course at the University of Surrey. Helen Roome helped Mrs Helen Roome, Dr Autumn Rowan-Hull, Daphne Jackson Co-ordinator a group of seven Fellows to sharpen their ability to make and Professor Margaret Rayman, Daphne Jackson Trustee chat at a The success of the Trust is dependent on its Fellows and these remarkable networking event effective presentations. These courses also offer an excellent returners show a dedication and commitment to their careers from the initial opportunity for the Fellows to network with one another. stages of the application process. Returning to a career in SET research Raising Awareness is not an easy option and many Fellows will experience both highs and Collaborations lows during their time as a Daphne Jackson Fellow. For many there are Trust staff continue to raise awareness of the need for The Trust continues to maintain excellent relationships with organisations to place more emphasis on the benefits of challenging obstacles to overcome on the path back to a successful career many other organisations working in areas of science, employing returners. Many of the Daphne Jackson Fellows and many suffer from a lack of confidence initially as this typical comment engineering and technology. Trust staff attended a number and past Fellows assist in publicity by speaking shows, “After so many years yearning to return to work in science I was of events throughout the year as it is very often the case that at events or being profiled in the media. meeting the right person at an event will lead to securing The media is an excellent way to reach a large audience awarded a Fellowship. I have changed subject, so there has been a great sponsorship or a useful collaboration. The Trust Director and the following list gives a sample of some of the deal to learn and re-learn. Going back to work in the lab and reading papers and Press and Public Relations Manager are frequently publications and websites where the Trust was mentioned invited to speak at events and conferences highlighting the was daunting, scary and difficult.” in 2008: needs of returners and the excellent work of the Trust. However, having commenced a Fellowship most realise very quickly Research Fortnight, the Guardian, Materials Today, BBC that they are back doing what they love, “What a boost this first year as a Radio Kent, Pfizer Newsletter, Cambridge AWISE, Connect Sponsorship Newsletter, University of Cardiff Newsletter and website, Daphne Jackson Fellow was! Professionally, I now feel back on track with The need to secure sponsorship for Fellowships never Opportunity Now Newsletter, UKRC newsletter, Euroscicon the prospect of a thrilling new career in climate-change ecology.” diminishes, and throughout the year the Trust Director has meeting proceedings, BA Newsletter, Mums in Science worked tirelessly to encourage new sponsors to become website, Aberdeen University website, Netmums website, involved with the Trust. During 2008 there was a major push Oxford University website, Ulster University website, to encourage all the UK Universities to become involved Bath University website, Imperial College website, Bangor with the Trust by hosting and sponsoring Fellows. Several University website, NESTA website, Research Council Universities have made new pledges of support to the Trust websites, International Women’s Month website, and others have renewed their support. WES website, Women in technology website. 4 5 The Daphne Jackson Trust in 2008 BA Annual Festival Cheltenham Festival of Science of Science The Daphne Jackson Trust joins The Cheltenham Science Festival, held in June each forces with the Wellcome Trust year is always a popular event with family groups, one of the Trust’s major target audiences. to champion Returners! It provides excellent networking opportunities with celebrity The Daphne Jackson Trust and the Wellcome Trust held scientists, the media and cutting edge scientists mixing and a joint event at the BA Festival of Science 2008 in chatting with the general public. This year the Trust sponsored Liverpool in September. This year the event, organised by Dr Helen Arthur, Past Wellcome Trust the event ‘BBC Earth: the Power of the Planet’ with Iain The Daphne Jackson Trust stand at the Cheltenham Science Festival the Trust with sponsorship from the Wellcome Trust, was Research Career Re-entry Fellow Stewart, and had a display stand in the marquee next to the in two parts with an afternoon workshop, followed by an Waterstones café. Networking opportunities are still one of evening reception at the Foresight Centre. The advanced the major reasons for attending the Festival and each year the presentation skills workshop was aimed at current and Trust makes good contacts and potential sponsorship leads. Below: Dr Iain Stewart chats to a young audience member after the event past Daphne Jackson and Wellcome Trust Research Career Re-entry Fellows. Professor Margaret Rayman, a Daphne Jackson Trustee and former Fellow, hosted the evening reception. The reception was a fantastic showcase for the talents and success of returners to science careers. The Daphne Jackson Trust now has four past Fellows who have been awarded personal Chairs and many others are well on their way to such an accolade. Professor Margaret Rayman is one of these Fellows and was awarded a Personal Chair in Nutritional Medicine in the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences at the University of Surrey. Margaret had a rather lengthy career break to bring up her two children and only returned to research in the mid 1990s when her children were teenagers. Now, 14 years Professor Margaret Rayman, Daphne Jackson Trustee after finishing her Fellowship, Margaret has reached the top of her profession and is a world renowned researcher on selenium in the diet, as well as being a Trustee of the Daphne Jackson Trust. Dr Helen Arthur from the Institute of Human Genetics at Newcastle University gave a presentation titled ‘A Broken Career Can Be a Successful Career’, during which she spoke about her career before and after an 11 year break to bring up three children.