In summer 2021 Oxford Health BRC took part in the In2Science programme. This is a scheme that gives young people from a range of backgrounds the opportunity to spend time with and learn from people working in research and to find out more about a career in science. Dr Jessica Scaife, a postdoctoral researcher at the Oxford Health BRC, mentored 3 young people as part of the programme.
Dr Scaife got involved in the In2scienceUK programme in summer 2021 to showcase the diversity of human cognitive neuroscience research in her lab, and discuss more broadly all the possibilities and opportunities that a STEM career could offer. As someone whose parents were scientists that inspired and encouraged her to develop her interests and talents, she realised that that most young people would not have these advantages and role models. She wanted to support and encourage underrepresented young people to achieve their goals through the In2scienceUK programme.
I would recommend the In2scienceUK programme wholeheartedly. I think it is our responsibility to open up our labs to young people and offer them a chance to see science in action. It is very little work for very rich rewards and you will have a lot of fun!
Dr JEssiica Scaife
Dr Scaife said:
“I have a mixed background as both a cognitive neuroscientist and a former Head of Biology. With this comes a passion for communication and getting young people into science, so when I heard about In2scienceUK I volunteered to be a mentor. I was extremely impressed with all my mentees who at 17 or 18 years old were really goal focused and working part time jobs to fund their way through school. They were obviously very bright and working independently to achieve their goals to study clinical and science degrees at good universities. I have no doubt they will achieve good A levels and have high flying careers. Their energy and enthusiasm for STEM gives me great hope for the future of research and clinical practice in the next generation. Overall the experience really made me reflect on my career, and understand that even experiences which were not great taught me a lot.”
