Dr Rowan Hardy ARUK Career Development Fellow Ph

Dr Rowan Hardy | ARUK Career Development Fellow

Ph. D (MRC) September 2004 - June 2008, Division of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Birmingham, UK. Characterisation of Glucocorticoid Metabolism and Action in Stromal Fibroblasts Victoria was training as an I. T. U nurse and wanted to stay in Birmingham 1 st Post doc was in Birmingham June 2008 - May 2011 funded by Arthritis Research UK and the Wellcome Trust; VIP Award scheme) Local Glucocorticoid Metabolism in Inflammatory Arthritis

I wanted to work abroad Arthritis Research UK Visiting Fellow, ANZAC Research Institute, University of Sydney, Australia There is enormous pressure for us to go overseas to gain experience in other labs This is not always possible: children, finances, partners, personal responsibilities

Upon Returning to Birmingham Publications grants long hours Presentations Teaching Establish academic independence Demands of partners Demands of Kids Demands of Mortgage House upkeep Coupled with this is the uncertainty of not knowing what will happen once contracts finish

My wife is a full time research nurse: • Spend time with kids (and each other), • Taxi children between childcare and home • Feed extra mouths • Bed time routines Side effects of children may include the following: – Sleeplessness, Irritation, Exhaustion, Narcolepsy, Feelings of Anxiety and stress, General feeling of time passing to quickly/time missing 2010 2015

The Danger: We feel we are not giving work, families or both the attention they deserve Even at our best we can spend hours working on both papers and grants that can be rejected “how we respond to disappointments largely underpins success. We must maintain an optimistic view, even in the face of painful setbacks. We need to remind ourselves often of how far we've come as scientists and celebrate achievements as they come, no matter how small, and to let rejections go” Charmaine Tam http: //www. sciencemag. org/careers/2015/07/balancing-career-and-family

Coping Skills and Survival Tricks

Google Calendar saved my marriage: We use online calendars to plan everything and maintain the balance between academic and family demands on time When I'm away with work I speak to Victoria and the boys on skype and facetime as often as I can. organized. You know about conferences a long time in advance Prevent family life clashing with key experiments

• Sharing drop offs and everyday challenges with the boys • Help from family has been invaluable • Children free night out every few weeks • Family nearby is wonderful for the boys and can be extremely helpful during emergencies In laws. A necessary evil

Past supervisors and collaborators have become trusted mentors that provide expert advice, support and guidance Prof Martin Hewison Prof Mark Cooper Prof Karim Raza Prof Christopher Buckley During my Ph. D I was recommended to apply for a travelling Fellowship Provided the support I needed throughout the intermediate Fellowship process

Ph. D 1 st post doc/ PGCert Higher Education Travelling Fellowship Lecturer/ Teaching Average a publication per year and apply for small grants and prizes 2 nd post doc/ ARUK Career Development Fellowship Keep Your eyes peeled for unexpected opportunities and findings Senior Fellowship

Long academic working hours are legendary, but so are their flexibility Work in the evenings frees up time with kids in the day School drop offs and pick ups I do my best to avoid working weekends, but I’m there when I need to be

• • Playing squash Reading Social drinking Time with friends Know when to take a step back!

I love research, but: I generally prioritize family happiness and work-life balance over career goals My children may one day decide which home to put me in or whether or not to pull the plug

Family can be both your motivation to achieve in your career as well as your salvation from getting buried in it

Home Work • My Wife (Victoria) • Friends and colleagues • Boy # 1 (Oscar) • Martin Hewison • Boy # 2 (Elijah) • Mark Cooper • Victoria Mum • Karim Raza • My parents • Chris Buckley