Supporting the next generation of MND research leaders is key for the future of MND research. MND EnCouRage is a two-day event that brings together early career researchers (ECRs) from across the UK with senior researchers, experts and people living with and affected by MND.
The purpose of the event is to support ECRs in their careers, enhance their skills and encourage them to continue their careers in MND research. The event includes inspiring talks and interactive workshops, delivered by experienced scientists, clinicians and experts in the field. On the second day, people living with and affected by MND are invited to hear talks on the latest MND research, take part in discussions, make connections with researchers and share their personal experiences of MND.
This week, we are hosting the fourth MND EnCouRage event. Since the event started in 2022, a total of 64 ECRs have attended. Approximately 53 of these ECRs are still active in MND research today – a fantastic number of talented scientists growing in their careers and working towards understanding and treating MND!
We caught up with three researchers who attended the first MND EnCouRage event in 2022, to see what they have been up to since, and the impact that attending MND EnCouRage has had on their careers so far.
Dr Roisin McMackin is an Assistant Professor at Trinity College Dublin.
What did you learn from attending MND EnCouRage 2022?
I attended the first EnCouRage event in 2022 as a postdoctoral researcher, supported by a Lady Edith Wolfson Fellowship. I found the event really helpful for improving my lay presentation style, as well as for networking with peers in a relaxed, friendly environment, so I’m delighted that it has continued. A few months after attending, I received a position as an Assistant Professor in Trinity College Dublin, and began setting up my own lab and training my students. As part of this I have directed some of my students to the EnCouRage event, who also reported really positive experiences.
What have you been up to since attending MND EnCouRage 2022?
My first couple of years as an Assistant Professor have been extremely hectic, taking on new academic responsibilities, applying for further funding and training new students, but I’m finally starting to see the hard work pay off. I have now received 2 additional prestigious grants to expand my research, my students are now regularly presenting exciting preliminary work at conferences and we have a number of exciting publications in preparation or under review. It was a great help that the MND Association really supported me through this transition, and were extremely understanding when I faced unexpected challenges or obstacles. I truly believe that the kindness and consistent support of the entire MND Association team was, and still is, a major factor in accelerating my research career.
Overall it’s been a stressful but exciting time. My new job is so dynamic and multifaceted that it will never be boring, and I’m constantly learning, which is important to me. It has also been a time of discovering my principles and values as an independent scientist and mentor, which has really tested my courage and self-belief. Most importantly, I feel I’ve found a home in a community of researchers who really value my contribution, and I feel privileged to work amongst such talented individuals.
Dr Sean White is an NIHR Doctoral Fellow at the University of Sheffield.
What did you learn from attending MND EnCouRage 2022?
I attended the inaugural EnCouRage event in the first year of my NIHR doctoral fellowship. It was a great experience to receive feedback about my proposed research from my peers, experienced researchers and people with MND, and I am happy to hear the event has continued.
What have you been up to since attending MND EnCouRage 2022?
Since attending the event I completed my PhD in September 2024, which focused on how the MND multidisciplinary team support people with MND to make decisions about gastrostomy. My research included spending 9 months in the field observing discussions, interviewing and performing focus groups to gain a multi-perspective understanding of how these decisions are made in real-world practice. I have published some of my research and am currently busy writing up the remaining papers.
My ambition is to become an independent clinical academic ideally working clinically and academically in MND. I am currently undertaking some PPIE activities with people with MND and their caregivers (where they will help to design future studies), that will support taking some of my doctoral findings forward. I am also passionate about progressing AHP (allied health professions) clinical academic careers. Working at a strategic level I hope to enable clearer career pathways for future AHP clinical academics.
Nicola Glennie is currently writing up her PhD thesis at the University of Stirling.
What did you learn from attending MND EnCouRage 2022?
Attending EnCouRage increased my awareness of the different types of MND research ongoing in the UK. I am not part of a research laboratory team, so it was inspiring to meet other people researching in a similar area to me as I hadn’t had many opportunities to do this. By listening to the research presented, I realised the important role qualitative research, like mine, plays in complementing laboratory-based research. I was reassured that my PhD will help to ensure that the voices and experiences of those living with MND are heard in the research sphere and will aid in creating real world impacts of research. It was also great to meet the team who work at MNDA and to share their enthusiasm for making the world a better place for people living with MND and their families.
What have you been up to since attending MND EnCouRage 2022?
Since attending EnCouRage in 2022, I have been collecting and analysing the data for my PhD. The topic of which is: investigating coping strategies and interactions with healthcare of people living with MND. Through interviews, diaries, and group discussions people living with MND, their families and healthcare professionals have been generous in sharing with me their stories of coping and not coping. My narrative analysis of these stories highlights areas where health and social care could be improved, which in turn would help people feel better able to cope.
This year I will finish writing my thesis and I look forward to sharing the findings of the research with the fellow MND researchers that I met at EnCouRage.
We are looking forward to welcoming 22 more ECRs to this year’s event, and hope that they learn new skills, form connections, and are inspired to continue their amazing work in MND research!
We would like to thank Roisin, Sean and Nicola for taking the time to share their experiences with us.
