By Dr Laura Sidgwick (née Rich)
Dr Laura Sidgwick is a Senior Lecturer in Medical Education at the University of Lincoln. She has many interests from embedding the development of skills into the curriculum to using game-based learning activities and fostering a sense of belonging and community amongst students.
We spoke to Laura as part of our 150 voices of physiology series, about her career, and her hopes for the future of physiology.
My journey into physiology and the Physiological Society is a story of the people who inspired me and helped me develop my sense of belonging as a physiologist.
I never considered myself the sort of person that could pursue a career in science, but it was my A-level biology teachers (shout out to Mr Rowan and Miss Baddley) who first sparked my interest in physiology. Encouraged to explore biology-related degrees, it was neuroscience that I was most drawn to. My enthusiasm was confirmed during an open day at the University of Nottingham – I, and I am pretty sure most other neuroscience students, will always remember Dr Paul Smith bringing neuroscience to life with his live demonstrations of neurophysiology in action.
At the time, I expected I would become a secondary school science teacher, but as I approached the end of my degree my peers (special shout out to Helena) and lecturers encouraged me to consider a PhD. During my degree, I had developed an interest in glial cells, but I had never imagined research would be a career option for me.
It was my PhD supervisor (shout out to Dr Angus Brown) who first introduced me to the Physiological Society. As an electrophysiologist lab Angus was, and still very much is, a true advocate for all things Hodgkin and Huxley and took pride in showcasing the historical importance of the -ociety to me. I will be forever grateful that he pushed me to step, even further, outside my comfort zone and attend my first scientific conference; Future Physiology 2017 in Leeds. I remember feeling in awe, and slightly intimidated, when surrounded by so many talented physiologists, but also being greeted with smiling faces of the Physiological Society team that made me feel immediately part of the community.
The welcoming and positive environment was one of the main reasons why the Physiological Society became the sole professional society I actively engaged with during my PhD. The early-career researcher (ECR) community played an important role in helping me develop confidence and a sense of belonging. Future Physiology conferences provided opportunities to build my communication and networking skills alongside others at a similar career stage. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Society’s professional development webinars also became a valuable source of support and connection – I attended the majority of these!
The desire to teach never disappeared and with the support of many colleagues (particular shout outs to Dr Tracy Farr, Dr Becky Trueman and Dr Jenny Brignell) I was fortunate to transition into the teaching and learning focused academic career path. Of course, the feelings of self-doubt also never left, but once again the Physiological Society and its community have been there to provide encouragement and inspiration.
Shortly after starting my first teaching and learning role, I attended the Society’s first education-themed conference in Leeds. It was one of the best decisions I have made! These conferences are now an annual highlight, coming away with a notebook full of ideas and a sense of rejuvenation. These events truly feel like they are open to all, from sharing examples of best practice to large scale projects, the Physiological Society and its community are consistently positive, supportive and keen to collaborate.
What has always stood out to me is that the Physiological Society team (particular shout outs to Caitlin Hawkins, Caitlin Oates and Sarah Bundock) genuinely takes the time to listen to and engage with its members. From remembering your name at the registration desk to reaching out to write articles. I have always been honoured to be approached and was particular grateful for the opportunity to be the ECR theme lead for neuroscience (2021-2022). The opportunity to work with the other ECR theme leads and the Society team to organise and host Future Physiology 2021 was certainly a turning point in developing my professional development. I am pretty sure that without these opportunities to contribute I wouldn’t be where I am now.
To me, the Society has flourished over the last 150 years because of its enthusiasm to celebrate its history whilst continuously evolving the resources and support it provides to their members. The Physiological Society has been a constant source of encouragement throughout my career and I hope over the next 150 years future students, researchers and educators find the same opportunities to connect, grow in confidence and realise that they belong. My advice to anyone starting their journey in physiology is simple: join the Physiological Society – you won’t regret it!