By Kimberly Foley, Centre for Paediatrics and Child Health
Networking day with the Deputy Editor of The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health
On the 15th May, the Centre for Paediatrics and Child Health (PaeCH) welcomed Dr Josefine Gibson, Deputy Editor of The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, a world leading paediatrics journal, to Imperial’s South Kensington campus. Our Early Career Researchers (ECRs) met with her for an informal lunch and discussion, and then later that afternoon we attended her seminar on academic publishing. The afternoon finished with a networking reception that brought together ECRs and other established clinicians/researchers from across the PaeCH network. It was an inspiring day for us all!
Twelve ECRs from across the PaeCH network attended the lunch, representing a variety of departments across the Faculty of Medicine. Dr Gibson shared valuable insights into the publishing process and spoke about ways to create impact through collaboration and thoughtful dissemination. We discussed the challenges around building our profile and research identity as ECRs and ways to address these challenges. She encouraged us to think about three things when sharing our ideas: finding the right topic, selecting the right timing and identifying the right platform. She also stressed the importance of ‘getting to know’ our target journals and our editors, and offered concrete suggestions and ideas on how we can build lasting relationships. We spoke about the future of academic publishing and its challenges, specifically around the evolving role of ‘impact factors’ and the future of peer review.
Caption: Dr Josefine Gibson (front right) sharing her insights with ECRs over lunch
The lunchtime conversation was so interesting that time flew by! By the time I captured our ‘lunchtime selfie’ a few had dashed off to other meetings – but I’m sure it’s apparent how much fun we were having.
Caption: Kim Foley (front) taking a post-lunch selfie with Dr Gibson and ECRs from across PaeCH
Later that afternoon, Dr Gibson provided an engaging and thought-provoking seminar where she reflected further on these topics of publishing, dissemination and creating impact. She shared her thoughts and suggestions about how we can achieve this through ‘organised science’, by ensuring credibility in research/publishing and coordinated communication. She also shared some of the challenges editors face in maintaining rigorous peer review and working to break cycles of misinformation and mistrust.
Caption: Dr Gibson delivering her seminar on science publishing and health advocacy
The networking reception afterwards offered a relaxed environment to continue the discussions in smaller groups. It also served as a valuable opportunity for ECRs to meet each other, alongside other PIs and researchers at different academic stages across PaeCH, helping to strengthen our networks and relationships.
Caption: Dr Gibson, ECRs, and other clinicians/researchers across PaeCH connecting at the postseminar networking reception
As the current ECR representative on the PaeCH management board, my aim is to create meaningful opportunities for ECRs to build their networks and advance their careers. This networking day was a fantastic opportunity to do so! I am very grateful to Dr Gibson for sharing her time, insights and experience so generously, and to all the ECRs who contributed to such a successful day. Many thanks to the Early Career Research Community Fund for supporting the catering for the day and for their help in making this event possible.