Case studies
Professor Callum Hill
Prof. Callum Hill, of Edinburgh Napier University, believes that a career break can be an advantage to researchers, creating a more mature attitude to work.
Professor Hill supervised a Daphne Jackson Fellow between 2008 and 2010 and found his supervisee dedicated and hard working. “My supervisee really wanted the opportunity, she was very enthusiastic and conscientious,” he says. “The biggest issue was building confidence but that was just a question of giving her challenges and enabling her to see that she did have the capability.”
Flexibility and part time working was not an issue from Professor Hill’s point of view. His supervisee took work home on occasions and worked on data crunching in the evening. “Daphne Jackson Fellows have previous experience and so are known quantities,” he says. “You are likely to get more out of a fellow than a fresh post doc. I can’t see why anyone would be worried about taking on a returner.”
Professor Hill is so impressed with his supervisee that he wants to keep her on. She now has a 6 month extension and both are hoping more funding can be found.