Dr Juliette Hughes, Lecturer of Anatomy in the Department of Musculoskeletal and Ageing Science, discusses her career journey, joining the Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences (ILCaMS) Early Career Researcher (ECR) Network, and how it can help staff.
I am a relatively new lecturer and early career researcher (ECR) in the Department of Musculoskeletal and Ageing Science. I began my current post as a Lecturer in Anatomy (teaching and research) in July 2023. This is my first independent post that has significant, dedicated time to research (I previously held a teaching lectureship at a smaller university), and this new job felt like coming back home. Back to the Department of my PhD studies, and the University of my postgraduate degree (Master of Biological Sciences - MBiolSci). However, although I was familiar with the building and several of the staff, I soon felt overwhelmed by the new world I had entered as an early career academic and principal investigator.
I found talking to colleagues in the department was very helpful, but the turning point was when I discovered the ILCaMS Early Career Network, run by the brilliant Dr Ariel Camp, who invited me to the group. I found this network to be supportive and caring, and a place to ask questions and seek guidance and advice, with all members being early career academics themselves. The network brings together colleagues from across the four research departments within the institute (Musculoskeletal and Ageing Science, Cardiovascular Disease, Eye and Vision, and Women’s and Children’s Health), as well as the Schools of Medicine and Dentistry.
In January 2025, I became the new Lead of the ILCaMS ECR Network, a role I was keen to take on, as I felt the group had really helped me find my feet when I joined almost two years ago. Over the past few years, the network has organised a range of events, such as narrative CV workshops, research integrity seminars including clinical research governance, a confirmation in post seminar (which we all go through at some point), a Faculty-led resilience workshop, and a REF 3-4* publications seminar. All of these arose from feedback and comments from the ECR community.
Looking ahead, I strive to ensure that all ECRs continue to feel supported and have a space to voice their opinions and experiences, so that we can make positive change. As the lead, I attend local ILCaMS Research Support Group meetings, the ILCaMS Fellowship Panel, and participate as an early career representative at paper and grant pitching events. Institute ECR leads also attend Faculty ECR meetings to share good practice and ideas, provide feedback to senior management, identify challenges and training needs for ECRs, and ultimately provide help and support to all ECRs.
I highly recommend joining and engaging with the network if you are new to ILCaMS – we are here to help all ECRs. We have a Teams site where targeted content is posted, we meet bi-monthly with a hybrid format, and above all else, we want to hear from you.
The next ILCaMS ECR Network meeting is Wednesday 9 July, 10am to 11am (Teams/William Henry Duncan Building).
Please do drop by, post on the Teams page, or contact me anytime using jhhughes@liverpool.ac.uk.
Future meetings are scheduled as follows:
- Wednesday 9 July 10am to 11am
- Thursday 4 September 12pm to 1pm
- Friday 14 September 11am to 1pm.
We would love to see you there!