https://doi.org/10.36866/pn.87.38

In 2011 The Society sponsored a Daphne Jackson Trust Fellow. This scheme helps scientists looking to return to the laboratory after a career break. The Daphne Jackson Trust secured further funding for the fellowship from the Leverhulme Trust.

Following a rigorous selection process, Kim Woodruff won the fellowship and is now working part time on a research project at Manchester University.

Before her career break, Kim completed a PhD at the University of Central Lancashire, exploring the effects of ketamine on synapse formation and synaptic transmission. She lives in Preston, Lancashire with her partner and two sons, aged 4 and 6.

Daphne Jackson was Dean of the Faculty of Science at the University of Surrey. She was the first female professor of physics in the UK and a lifelong campaigner, encouraging women into science. In 1985 she established a fellowship scheme to help women returning to careers in science after having a family. The Daphne Jackson Trust was established in 1992 following her death.

Daphne Jackson Trust fellow, Kim Woodruff

What is your background in science/physiology?

I did a degree in applied bioscience, then a masters in electrophysiology – which was neuroscience combined with pharmacology. Then a PhD in the same field, all at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan). That’s when I decided it would be a good idea to take a career break to have children.
I took about 18 months off initially. Then I was asked to do some lecturing at UCLan. So I was working part time.

How did you hear about the Daphne Jackson fellowship?

I was out of research. As soon as you’re out, it’s very difficult to get back in. And as soon as you mention children…! You’re up against people who’ve published 40 or more papers – you’ve got no chance.

So I was trawling the internet. I’d applied for loads of jobs and was just getting nowhere. I was looking for information on women in science, bursaries, grants, when I found the Daphne Jackson Trust.

I applied for the fellowship originally in 2009. You have to apply to apply! To check that you’re eligible. They looked at my application and said that they thought I’d be able to get back into research without a fellowship. I carried on for another year. After feedback from the one interview I did get, I called them back and asked them to reconsider.

What was the selection process for the fellowship like?

It’s quite a lengthy process. You have to demonstrate that you’re eligible. Then you have to submit a project proposal, and provide a supervisor and a host.

It so happened that my old supervisor at UCLan, Robert Lea, had a colleague at the University of Manchester, Jaleel Miyan, who was working with molecular bio-technology in hydrocephalus. He suggested that I might work with him.

They’d previously drawn up a research grant proposal, looking at normal pressure hydrocephalus, which affects the elderly. I have an interest in this because my father had dementia (he died 3 years ago). Working with Jaleel and Robert, I drew up a new proposal based on the original.

The Trust review your proposal. It then goes to an external reviewer, and then you have an interview.

You have to pass all these things before the proposal even goes to the trustees for a decision. After the trustees have awarded the fellowship, they have to find funding. I waited nearly two years!

Why were you selected?

I think I was selected because I’d really tried to stay in science, but just didn’t get anywhere. I’d shown dedication and desire. But the barriers to my returning were clear.

How has it helped you return to an active scientific career?

You’re put in an ideal position. They make you put a proposal together to get your skills up to date. So that helps me compete with others who haven’t taken a career break. The Trust provides workshops, and they fund some training courses and conference travel. I have done courses in proteomics training and work – life balance – you can do whatever is relevant to your field within reason! You couldn’t ask for more.

What is your research project?

The project is looking at hydroencephaly patients over the course of 24 hours after the cerebrospinal fluid has been drained. Some patients respond to the treatment, some do not. If they do, they can be fitted with a permanent shunt. But it’s not really understood why the treatment relieves symptoms in some patients, but not in others.

The project is looking to take samples from patients at the beginning of the procedure and at the end, trying to look for anything different between responders and non-responders. We’re just waiting for ethical approval to take samples.

Was it challenging re-entering research? Did you feel you were recovering from a setback in your career or your expertise?

Just the opposite! I had gained so much experience through teaching. I’ve almost completed a higher-education teaching qualification. I’ve lectured in so many subjects: physiology, pharmacology, immunology, micro-biology. I’ve gained so much knowledge. I’ve also done a lot of work supervising undergraduate projects, which gave me experience in trouble-shooting protocols.

I absolutely love it! I’m doing what I want to do. If you’re a researcher, a scientist, it’s a vocation: you can’t see yourself doing anything else.

My partner has been very supportive, and being part time helps, especially as I am commuting. I think I have been lucky to have the best of both worlds really, being able to spend time with the children when they were really young and now hopefully getting my career back on track after they started school. I think being a positive role model for the boys is important. You have to be very organised, and plan ahead. Personally I find working allows me to enjoy the time I spend with the children more – I am a happier and more tolerant mum!

What more can be done to help women combine a scientific career with a family?

The University of Manchester is quite pro-active. When I’ve spoken to other female researchers here – one of whom is pregnant – they agree that the University is quite supportive. There is a ‘women in science’ group, for instance. And a group for women returning from maternity leave.

The problem is, not everyone has a permanent job. I thought it was a good idea to have children before tying myself to a position. I couldn’t have been more wrong! If you haven’t got your foot in the door…

Why should hard-working, intelligent women in any field have to choose between children and a career? You’re writing off a pool of skills, you’re wasting their efforts and state money that went into their training. And you gain skills from being a mother that help you when you return to work. That’s all waiting to be tapped.