CCLG’s new research strategy, published earlier this year, aims to support and develop a thriving and collaborative children and young people’s (CYP) research community.
As part of this, CCLG is committed to supporting emerging CYP cancer researchers. Held in Birmingham last Wednesday (26 November), the ECR Day provided the opportunity for junior researchers to come together and share and glean insights from others, including more senior researchers.
Ashley Ball-Gamble, CEO of CCLG, said:
We’ve seen amazing progress in the care and treatment of CYP with cancer, thanks to research and to the experts who devote their lives to it. But we can’t assume that progress will continue on its own – we need to support the next generation of researchers. Our ECR network plays a key role in that, and last week’s first in-person ECR day showed just how much promise there is in this growing community.
A jam-packed day
Attendees heard about the excellent work happening in children and young people’s cancer research, with talks and posters on a range of topics in basic and translational science, clinical research, service delivery and PPI.
ECRs had the opportunity to share their work, providing valuable experience of presenting at a professional event.
Dr Rebecca Hill, chair of the CCLG Research Advisory Group and one of the attending experts, said:
This event was a great opportunity for ECRs to connect with each other, and with more senior figures in paediatric oncology research. It is a fantastic opportunity for them, and for me it was also great to see how bright the future is. A thoroughly enjoyable day and I look forward to next CCLG ECR event.
Dr Rebecca Hill presenting at the ECR day
Dr Alistair Poll, a leukaemia researcher at Newcastle University, said:
This event is one of the few forums where you feel that you've got the platform to speak, and it's just much less intimidating than conferences where there's a bigger presence for more established researchers. I think it's been a really helpful discussion.
Dr Alistair Poll presenting at the ECR day
Supporting career development
In addition to presenting their work, the attendees heard from experienced research experts on how to build CVs, find mentors, and write grant applications.
Dr Melanie Beckett, a brain tumour researcher at Newcastle University, said on the day:
I found it really informative so far, and it's been really helpful for me thinking about my career trajectory and all the things that I need to do in order to get where I want to be in the future.
Dr Melanie Beckett
Lucy Walsh, CCLG's Research Support Executive and organiser of the event, said: “It's been great to see the wide-ranging work being done by the next generation of CYP cancer researchers. We hope the network will continue to support ECRs in developing their expertise and connecting with others to help us build on progress.
“I'm especially grateful to Illumina for their sponsorship of the day and Drs John Apps, Rebecca Hill, Kate Law and Helen Pearson for sharing their expertise with today's attendees.”
