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• About Us
  • Who we are and what we do
  • Background
  • Biography of Daphne Jackson
  • Pilot scheme
  • Trustees
  • Charity status
  • Who we work with
  • Reports
• Fellowships
  • Eligibility Criteria
  • Application process
  • Research project
  • Retraining programme
  • Extraordinary expenses
  • Special discretionary fund
  • Guildelines for referees
• Host Organisations
  • Guidelines for host organisations
  • List of host organisations
• Supervisors
  • Guidelines for supervisors
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  • List of sponsors and donors
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  • Organisations that can help returners
  • MentorSET

About Us

• Who we are and what we do
• Background
• Biography of Daphne Jackson
• Pilot scheme
• Trustees
• Charity status
• Who we work with
• Reports

Background

Science, engineering and technology (SET) is indispensable. Almost everything we use in everyday life has required research and development such as toothpaste, soap, clothing, cars, telephones, computers, electricity, MRI scans, lifesaving medical techniques, televisions, DVD’s, the list is endless. Scientific research shapes and vastly improves our modern lives. Government statistics from 2002 stated there were 50,000 women with qualifications in SET who were not currently working in this field. The UK economy suffers if the talents of these qualified people are simply wasted.

With falling numbers of graduates entering SET careers employers in both academia and industry can no longer afford to ignore the fact that scientists who take a career break often do not return to their old jobs. This has serious implications for the cost of recruitment and training of staff and, overall, is affecting the competitiveness and productivity of the UK.

It is a sad indictment of today’s society that the retention of scientists, engineers and technologists is not top of the agenda for many decision makers. The Daphne Jackson Trust is addressing the problem by making people aware of the importance of returning SET professionals to their full potential.

The Daphne Jackson Trust is an independent charity dedicated to returning talented scientists to careers after a break of two years or more. A huge amount of investment has been spent on their education and training in SET disciplines. Work life balance is becoming a key issue in our society and many more people than previously are taking career breaks for reasons of family and bringing up children, relocating with a partner, illness, looking after elderly relatives, disabled family members. The Trust’s work has been highly praised by Government and it is acknowledged as running the foremost returners scheme in the country.

Scientists often feel unable to return due to a wide variety of reasons: lack of part-time or flexible posts, difficulties with childcare, unpleasant and outdated working environments, lack of career progression, secretive and unfair recruitment and promotion procedures, to name but a few. In fact, it can be almost impossible for many to return without the help of a Daphne Jackson Fellowship, as it offers the opportunity to re-establish scientific credentials and obtain a recent research record whilst retraining and renewing skills that are essential for a future career. The Daphne Jackson Trust offers flexible, part-time, paid Fellowships, normally for two years, in universities and industrial laboratories throughout the UK during which Fellows undertake a challenging research project and a retraining programme. The Trust has a 96% success rate in returning Fellows to science, engineering or technology careers and these returners have much to offer their employers. Not only are they fully qualified for the role in the first place but their career breaks have often heightened the skills required by top class employers: time management, flexibility and adaptability, conflict resolution and working under pressure.