On 21 September Life Sciences provided the reward of a boat party for PhD students, technicians and supervisors from the past two years.

When the pandemic started, it unavoidably impacted most aspects of everyone’s lives – one major change of course being interactions with each other. Leadership, supervision and mentoring was particularly challenging - at a time when it was more needed than ever.

Supervisors, technicians and PhDs needed to think innovatively to find solutions so that research could continue, and many did so by developing new projects that didn’t need to take place in the lab. Meanwhile every step was taken to ensure essential lab-based work was able to continue. The department wanted to recognise the flexibility and compassion shown by all those involved, who pulled out all the stops to make sure that the show must go on.

"Postdocs and PhD students continued to work and be productive through the pandemic, without the support that would have normally been available, all the while making scientific strides and supporting their colleagues." Dr Matthew Child, Research Fellow

Dr Matthew Child, Research Fellow, said: ‘Testament to their resilience, post-docs and PhD students within the department continued to work and be productive through the pandemic, without the support that would have normally been available, all the while making scientific strides and supporting their colleagues as much as possible.

The return of the boat party was a terrific reminder of how much fun we can have together as colleagues, and a nice way for the department to say 'thanks' - I can't wait for the next one!’

Jordon Millward, PhD student, said: ‘Having joined on a joint PhD with CHERS and DOLS. It was a daunting thought to join so soon after COVID restrictions lifted in January. However, the department at South Kensington made sure to make me feel welcome, inviting me to different events and involving me with the team. It was fantastic to speak to other staff and students on the boat party - networking and discussing research and other works. I would definitely recommend other new starters to dive in with the events throughout the year!’

"It was fantastic to speak to other staff and students on the boat party - networking and discussing research. I would definitely recommend other new starters to dive in with the events throughout the year!" Jordon Millward, PhD student

The boat left Westminster Pier at 12:00 with around 40 attendees. Everyone ate, drank, enjoyed the music and catching up with each other in person, all to the back-drop of a scenic journey down the Thames. And there was one thing that everyone agreed on – they cannot wait for the next one!

Josh Hodge, Teaching Fellow in Quantitative Life Sciences, said: ‘Boarding the departmental boat party had an air of excitement and nostalgia. We set sail west with free-flowing canapes and beverages, and fond memories of department-filled triple decker boats predating COVID. On this occasion, however, we were honouring and celebrating our PhD students, post-docs and research fellows who weathered the COVID storm and had all hands on deck with supporting and supervising not only each other, but the undergraduate and masters students.

The department truly appreciates all your hard work and I really enjoyed having the opportunity, and space, to socialise with you all. Although things aren’t completely hunky-dory, let’s hope the next year is plain sailing and I look forward to seeing you all at the next boat party, which will be an all staff and student voyage!’