Early Career Microbiologists' Forum Spotlight – Andy Day, Policy Representative

07 April 2018

Andrew-Day-3.jpg

The second in our series of ECM Forum Executive Committee Spotlights focuses on Andy Day’s experiences in the Policy Representative role. Nominations for this position and three others are now open.

What made you decide to apply for the Policy Representative position?

I have always been interested in policy and I plan to go into a policy role when I finish my PhD. I heard about the ECM Forum at the launch event at the Annual Conference. It sounded like a good opportunity to represent early career researchers, as I felt that the Society seemed to be mostly represented by senior academics. It also seemed like a great way to gain an insight to how the Society influences policy.

What sort of things did you include in your application?

I mentioned my previous experience being a part of Voice of the Future, a Parliamentary event for early career researchers that allows us to question politicians. I also put forward my view that we need to give science a younger, fresher face if we want to engage a wider audience and advance the issues that matter to us as early career microbiologists.

What does your role involve?

Policy Committee meetings always involve an update on the activities, outputs and impact of the policy work since the previous meeting and planning for future activities. The main areas of focus at the moment are anti-microbial resistance, microbiomes and, you guessed it, Brexit. Outside of the meetings, the Committee regularly corresponds via email to draft and review submissions to consultations which recently have covered the new BBSRC strategy, the economics of higher education and the Industrial Strategy.

The ECM Executive Committee meetings in the past year have focused on increasing the presence of ECMs in all aspects of the Society. This has involved heavy promotion at the Annual Conference in Edinburgh 2017, our Summer Roadshow to get to know some of the members and planning the inaugural ECM Summer Conference in 2018.

How much of your time does it take up?

There are three Policy Committee meetings a year in London, as well as two ECM Forum Executive Committee meetings that alternate between London and Birmingham. These all last around four hours. Outside of this, we communicate via email or Slack. On average my role probably takes up about one or two hours per week, but it varies.

How did your expectations of the role differ from the reality?

Before I started I thought my role would be advisory, making sure that ECM Forum members were considered in Society activities. In reality I have a lot more input and I have been able to shape the Society’s policy agenda going forward. The sheer numbers of things we have been able to organise as an ECM Forum is also more than I expected.

What aspects have you found most challenging?

At first, I was intimidated as I was being asked to comment on and contribute to consultations on a wide variety of areas. As an early career researcher, I was worried that I did not have enough experience to have input on topics such as the economics of higher education, the Industrial Strategy or the Nagoya Protocol. However, once I reminded myself that I am a representative, I was able to canvas the views of other ECM Forum members, allowing me to gain new knowledge while communicating the needs of ECMs.

What has been the highlight of your time on the ECM Forum Executive Committee?

The Annual Conference 2017 was our first big event as the ECM Forum Executive Committee. From meeting all sorts of people at the Pre-Conference Networking Event, to discussing the research with all the ECM poster prize entrants and running around the venue to see all the Forum members talk, it was a great way to interact with ECMs. The opportunity to meet and chat to such a wide range of enthusiastic ECMs makes the Conference my personal highlight.

Do you have any advice for the next Policy Representative?

You do not have to be an expert on the ins and outs of policy to be the Policy Representative. You just need to be able to talk to others and do your own research, and channel that back to the rest of the Committee. The Policy Committee are a welcoming, friendly group, so as long as you are willing to listen, learn and be confident in putting the views of ECMs across, you can’t go wrong.

Are you an early career microbiologist? Join the Forum

ECM Forum Executive Committee nominations are now open, with vacancies for a Conferences representative, Policy representative, a Professional development representative and an International representative. Find out more on the nominations page