#CelebratingEngagement
with Dr Linda van Keimpema and the Invisible Warriors
“I am so happy we got students involved,” says Dr Linda van Keimpema enthusiastically. “Their brains are amazing.”
Linda has just been recognised with two separate President’s Awards for Societal Engagement, one for Leadership, and one Achievement Award (Team) for her part in the Invisible Warrior Project. She’s telling me about her podcast, Science Actually, which evolved in part due to lockdown.
“I had wanted to produce a podcast for ages. And all that quiet time indoors gave me the space to develop it.”
Led by Linda, the Science Actually project was set up together with students and staff at the College, who interview Imperial’s experts about their research. The project includes audience participation: a group of 80 students support the podcast by suggesting questions for the speakers, and voting on statements for the episode which are used as a data sample for the interview.
So, are podcasts a good way to engage? “Yes, absolutely’” she says. “They are great. You need a bit of a push – you need a website, a name, a logo – but you can record on your phone, mix easily. I would recommend them to anyone who is thinking about societal engagement!”
“I am a cell biologist, and previously saw Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) on a cellular level, as a matter of one amino acid change. After I met Louisa... I was blown away by my own ignorance."
“I am a cell biologist, and previously saw Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) on a cellular level, as a matter of one amino acid change. After I met Louisa... I was blown away by my own ignorance."
We move on to discuss the Invisible Warrior Project, another organically-evolving success story that has grown primarily online. I ask Linda how it all began.
“I am a cell biologist, and previously saw Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) on a cellular level, as a matter of one amino acid change.
After I met Louisa (Thompson, an SCD warrior who shared her experience at a Haematology teaching session in 2020), I was blown away by my own ignorance.
And then I realised that if I, with my biological background didn’t have a clue what it was really like, then there must be so many people who don’t know.”
Linda and Louisa joined forces to develop school sessions for children to learn about SCD, and the effects it has on a person living with it. So far, the project has delivered 19 sessions reaching a total of 1030 pupils.
“We built a small team and do most of our work online, so that we can work more efficiently; reach further, for example schools outside of London; and also to make life easier for our Sickle Cell Warrior.” explains Linda.
Having read up on the Invisible Warrior Project before our chat, I have just watched the incredibly moving video the team produced to share during their outreach sessions ‘So what does the world need to know about Sickle Cell Disease?’ I ask.
‘That video could have been far longer,’ says Linda.
‘Sickle Cell Disease is so much more than just one gene mutation or the excruciating pain. It effects so many aspects of a person’s life. Awareness needs to be raised about the multifaceted effects of this disease – especially the mental health effects.
There is little funding for or recognition of this, and the community should receive both, as the disease has such a massive impact.’
I ask Linda what’s next for the project, and for her, following her success at the President’s Awards.
“The Invisible Warrior Project is continuing to grow”, she says. “We have recently had invitations to deliver sessions in hospitals, and we want to continue to expand online.”
And Science Actually?
“I’ve loved working on it, but I’m handing that over to a new team while I focus on some new ideas!”
Lastly, I want to know what advice Linda has for academics who want to ensure their research has maximum impact in the real world?
“Societal engagement is very rewarding. I feel like I am part of multiple communities, that I wouldn’t be part of if it wasn’t for these particular projects.
I would say, get involved, reach out to others (colleagues or wider) to set something up, or join in a project that is already happening. Speak to the Societal Engagement team, or get involved with the Great Exhibition Road Festival or Imperial Lates. I know Nike said it first, but – Just do it!”
Image credits: Brendan Foster