Name: Annie Clarke
Department: Materials
Email: a.clarke21@imperial.ac.uk

Student Programme Partner: Professional Progression

My Research: I am investigating the effects of natural antimicrobial agents on several bacteria strains, using a combination of microbiological assays and cryo-electron microscopy. 

Why I applied for this particular SPP role: I previously held a similar role in my bachelor’s degree and thoroughly enjoyed being involved behind the scenes in helping improve and optimise professional progression and development programmes for students. I hope that not only will I gain more knowledge of professional progression myself, but I will be able to help shape the courses for other students.

Why I think professional development training is important: As PhD students, we spend a long time focussed solely on academia, potentially without gaining an awareness of the skills which will be needed when we leave and enter the working world, so having tailored, purposeful training courses that helps us acknowledge, understand and develop the skills which are required in the workplace is really important. PhD projects have a very fine focus on one research topic, so being able to further our development and build more general ‘soft’ skills is also very important for both being able to confidently navigate various stages of our research projects and the milestones which go alongside them too.