Two researchers from the MRC PPU have been awarded places in the Scottish Universities Life Sciences Alliance (SULSA) Forging Futures Scheme. Bill Carton (Sapkota lab) and Emily Dickie (Alessi lab) will represent the University of Dundee in the scheme, which is running for the first time in 2022.

Through the Forging Futures Scheme, SULSA, in collaboration with Interface, aims “to support and develop a cohort of researchers by enabling them to explore the opportunities available to them in academia and industry, whilst equipping them with the tools to work effectively between the two.”

The scheme incorporates a Skillfluence training course in effective industry engagement; career path group coaching with MyFuturePlan and access to industry case studies and connections provided by Interface. The awardees will also receive grants to contribute to their own professional development. These awards are made in the expectation that participants will pay forward the benefits they have received through the scheme in becoming Ambassadors for Industry Engagement within their respective institutions, sharing their newly developed insights within their research community.

Student representative Bill Carton said: “I’m delighted to be awarded a place on the SULSA Forging Futures scheme as the University of Dundee PhD representative. The industry-academia relationship is something I have become very interested in whilst working in the PPU so I am excited to explore this more during the course of the scheme. Getting training from industry professionals is something I am really looking forward to, as well as meeting the other researchers on the programme.”

Postdoc representative Emily Dickie said: “I’m very much looking forward to starting the Forging Futures programme. There are many interesting sessions lined up for our cohort and I feel privileged to contribute on behalf of the University of Dundee’s postdoctoral research community. As my current work forms part of the university’s DSTT collaboration with the pharmaceutical industry, I’m keen to gain new perspectives and ideas on working effectively at this interface. I also look forward to sharing what I’ve learned with others in my role as Industry Engagement Ambassador”