Careers in Your Ears

In this episode of Careers in Your Ears, we talk with Tim Newton, Professor of Psychology as Applied to Dentistry and Dean for Research Culture at King's College London. We hear about Tim's journey in academia and why he ventured into Ethics and now Research Culture.  Tim shares 4 key pillars for the work of research culture; ethics, governance, integrity and community.  We talk about the role of community in supporting researchers' mental health, what needs to change and what's working well.  Learn more about Tim's work here: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/people/tim-newton Science R.I.O.T. Club: http://riotscience.co.uk/ Science R.I.O.T Club on Twitter: https://twitter.com/riotscienceclub Dignity at King's: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/hr/diversity/dignity-at-kings/index For more information about support from the Centre for Research Staff Development at KCL: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/research/support/professional-development/centre-for-research-staff-development KCL PGR Wellbeing Hub: tinyurl.com/pgrwh   For a transcript of this episode please email careers@kcl.ac.uk  

Roger Carles-Fontana is a PhD student at King's College London and Mental Wellbeing and Events Lead at King's Doctoral Students Association (KDSA). He talks with us on this episode of Careers in Your Ears about why PGR students might struggle with their mental wellbeing and what they can do to address it.  Roger invites you to follow @KDSA_KCL on Instagram and/or Twitter to find out more information about events and resources.  They will also provide updates here about the new Mental Wellbeing Hub. You can also email them on kdsa@kclsu.org  King's Counselling & Mental Health Support: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/counselling King's Counseling & Mental Health Support (internal pages): https://self-service.kcl.ac.uk/article/KA-01164/en-us  If you would like a transcript of this episode please email careers@kcl.ac.uk with the title 'Careers in Your Ears' transcript.

This episode is the second part of a conversation about race and identity in research careers which we recorded in June 2021. Alexandria Mitchell, a PhD student at King's College London (KCL) and co-chair of the KCL Race Equality Network (www.kcl.ac.uk/hr/diversity/get-involved/networks/race-equality-network) talks with Mary Okesola who is also a PhD student at KCL and Dr. Bernadine Idowu of KCL and University of West London. (Listen to the first part of this conversation where we find out how the speakers got into academia and what that was like without visible representation of female black scientists: www.anchor.fm/careersinyourears/episodes/Series-6--Episode-8-Race-and-Identity-in-Research-Careers-Part-1-e12ffs6)     In this episode, you’ll hear the speakers discussing how the Black Lives Matter movement has affected EDI spaces in academia and science, and how we can move forward. You will also hear how, as academics, they deal with set backs (cue, conversations about resilience and the importance of not just having one, but multiple, mentors!), Bernadine runs the annual BME Early Careers Conference. Follow them on twitter you can stay up to speed with future plans for the conference: @BmeEcr  If you require a transcript of this episode please email careers@kcl.ac.uk with the title 'Transcript for CinYE S6E9' Follow us on Twitter @kcldo1thing

This episode is the first part of a conversation about race and identity in research careers. Alexandria Mitchell, a PhD student at King's College London (KCL) and co-chair of the KCL Race Equality Network (www.kcl.ac.uk/hr/diversity/get-involved/networks/race-equality-network) talks with Mary Okesola who is also a PhD student at KCL and Dr. Bernadine Idowu of KCL and University of West London. In this episode, you’ll hear why the speakers went into science and what that was like without visible representation of Black female scientists. You’ll also hear their thoughts on mentoring, job hunting and learn more about the day to day life of a senior academic. Bernadine runs the BME Early Careers Conference (www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-5th-black-and-minority-ethnic-early-career-researchers-conference-2021-tickets-143563764083) which has a waiting list for this year's event on 09 July 2021 however if you follow them on twitter you can stay up to speed with future plans for the conference: @BmeEcr  If you require a transcript of this episode please email careers@kcl.ac.uk with the title 'Transcript for CinYE S6E8'

In this episode we wanted to explore what’s happening with recruitment to roles in academia and in sectors outside academia, which PhDs and Research Staff are typically attracted to. To do this, we spoke with Rebecca Oakey, a King’s Professor of Epigenetics and Dean for Doctoral Studies and Andrew Wright, Head of Employer Engagement in King’s Careers & Employability. Listen out for advice from Rebecca about getting into academia, the value of the PhD and from Andrew, listen out for his thoughts on skills which are increasingly needed by employers and how sectors are recruiting at the moment. NB: we recorded this episode over July and August 2021, and the information shared here is time sensitive. If you require a transcript of this episode, please email careers@kcl.ac.ukquoting Transcript CinYE S6E8. Please do leave a review if you like what you hear! Links and resources mentioned in this episode: King’s Student Services  - advice on visas: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/campuslife/services/advice/advice#Immigration Institute of Student Employers (ISE) survey [available to organisation members only] this article covers some of the information Andrew referred to in this episode: https://www.fenews.co.uk/press-releases/65171-graduates-lack-work-ready-skills-that-businesses-need-during-covid-ise-student-development-survey#!/ccomment-comment=288 Virtual work experience (and a specific programme for King’s PGRs): https://keats.kcl.ac.uk/mod/page/view.php?id=4487645 Follow us on Twitter @kcldo1thing Remember King’s Careers and Employability can review your applications for jobs and help you with you career decision making. Simply book a 1-1 appointment, looking for ‘PhD and Research Staff’ under appointment type: https://kcl.targetconnect.net/unauth

Dr Jason Myers is a Data Scientist with Faculty AI.  Prior to this, he completed his PhD with the 'Cross-Disciplinary Approaches to Non-Equilibrium Systems' (CANES) Centre for Doctoral Training at King's College London. Jason joins us on Careers In Your Ears to talk about his (not always easy) experience finding work after the doctorate. He also shares insights into his current role and answers a question a current PhD student shared with us about the difference between coding in academia and in industry.  Jason gives us insights into tackling issues around diversity in tech. If you have questions you'd like to ask our speakers on Careers in Your Ears, please tweet us @kcldo1thing or email careers@kcl.ac.uk. We'd love to hear from you. King's PhDs and Research Staff can book an appointment via kcl.targetconnect.net by looking for 'PhD + Research Staff' under appointment type. If you would like a transcript of this episode please contact careers@kcl.ac.uk.

Dr. Hilary Jones is a former post-doctoral researcher who has worked in careers and employability, started her own business, is in training to be a psychotherapist and is now working for a non-profit organisation. In this episode she tells us her career story so far and gives us her insight into her varied career path. King's PhDs and Research Staff can book an appointment via kcl.targetconnect.net by looking for 'PhD + Research Staff' under appointment type. Check out our Career Change course: https://keats.kcl.ac.uk/mod/page/view.php?id=4821037 If you would like a transcript of this episode please contact careers@kcl.ac.uk.

Bethan Cornell is a final year PhD student at King’s College London’s Physics Department and she’s also a Policy Officer in the Higher Education Unit in the UK’s Department for Education. We discuss taking on other opportunities during the PhD, the value of connecting with people who share your interests, and we ask Bethan how a Physics PhD prepares you for non-science policy work? Starting her PhD full time, Bethan became interested in the gender disparities in people studying and researching Physics and became energised by the issues belying these inequalities. She also became interested in broader issues in higher education and happened to come across Higher Education Policy Institute. Listen in to find out what happens next. If you would like a transcript of this episode please contact careers@kcl.ac.uk. King's PhDs and Research Staff can book an appointment via kcl.targetconnect.net by looking for 'PhD + Research Staff' under appointment type.

We explore why Mohamed decided to do his PhD (which is around differences in neurodevelopment in children with different diseases).  Listen to this episode, to find out more about finding (or even creating) the right PhD for you, applying to a PhD, how it's different from a Masters, and how helpful Google can be.  He also talks about his side project of tutoring and his thoughts about his future.  'As long as you find enjoyment in what you're doing, that's your motivation.' If you're a King's student thinking of applying for a PhD, use the careers team to work through these questions for yourself. If you would like a transcript of this episode please contact careers@kcl.ac.uk. King's PhDs and Research Staff can book an appointment via kcl.targetconnect.net by looking for 'PhD + Research Staff' under appointment type.   If you're a UG or Masters student considering applying for a PhD, please see our KEATS resources on this topic https://keats.kcl.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=41567&section=17.  You can also book an appointment via kcl.targetconnect.net by looking for 'Careers Guidance' under appointment type.

Dr. Fawzi Abou-Chihane, once a science researcher specializing in sustainable technologies, now runs a successful careers consulting business and authored 'A Job Seeker's Diary.' He discusses his leap from academia to the industry, revealing the challenges of job scarcity and the need for strong business skills. Fawzi shares his personal journey through unemployment and how it inspired his writing. He emphasizes proactive communication and overcoming psychological barriers for those transitioning to self-employment, offering valuable insights for career shifters.