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A Week in the Life of a Researcher: A Unique Experience for Sixth-Form Students at the IDRM
In an inspiring initiative, sixth-form students from state schools in and around Oxfordshire recently participated in a work taster week at the Institute of Developmental & Regenerative Medicine (IDRM). This program, established in collaboration with researchers from the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, provided these young learners with an invaluable glimpse into the life of an academic researcher.
During their time at the IDRM, the students engaged in a variety of activities designed to give them a hands-on understanding of scientific research and what goes on in a lab day-to-day. They spent time working alongside researchers at different stages of their careers – from DPhil students and research assistants to postdoctoral fellows – who were happy to chat about their roles and how they got there. The students learned standard techniques including gel electrophoresis and PCR, and researchers introduced them to more advanced technologies with microscopy, flow cytometry and state-of-the-art imaging demonstrations.
In addition to practical lab experience, the students attended research talks delivered by IDRM and Ludwig Institute Principal Investigators, and participated in panel discussions about career paths and the university admissions process. These sessions provided a platform for students to ask questions and gain insights into the diverse routes that scientists can take in their professional journeys.
The Building and Facilities team gave the students a behind-the-scenes peek at how they keep a state-of-the-art research facility operational, from maintaining equipment to ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.
Seeing first-hand how scientists address pressing issues in health and medicine gave the students a newfound appreciation of how researchers tackle real-world health challenges. The experience demonstrated the dynamic and collaborative nature of scientific research and highlighted the potential career paths available to them in the future.
The week was also a valuable opportunity for the researchers who took part. Explaining complex scientific concepts to an audience with limited experience helped them refine their communication skills and reflect on the broader impact of their research, all while inspiring the next generation of scientists. Programme Coordinator, Tomoko Watanabe, said that hosting the taster week was only possible thanks to the efforts of the staff and students who volunteered their time and enthusiasm for science, and this sentiment was reflected in the overwhelmingly positive feedback from the students.
Tomoko also emphasised the benefits of joining forces with researchers from the Ludwig Institute; the collaboration opened up showcasing a more diverse array of research to the students and they saw that despite being distinct fields in their own right, cancer research, developmental biology, and regenerative medicine actually share many overlapping principles. The IDRM itself was established to foster interdisciplinary collaboration between its cardiology, neurology and immunology themes, and interlinking research institutes through this initiative underscored the importance of a cross-discipline approach in modern science.
The work taster week was a huge success and helped to demystify the world of scientific research, reinforcing the students' decisions to consider careers in STEM and the biomedical sciences. As the world continues to face complex health challenges, experiences like these are essential in nurturing the next generation of scientists who will drive future innovations.
