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Nicole Kennard, PhD Researcher, Grantham Centre for Sustainable Futures, University of Sheffield

LinkedIn: LinkedIn page for Nicole Kennard

Website:  Website for Nicole Kennard

Twitter: @njkennard

In this video interview, Nicole Kennard describes her experience of completing a PhD fellowship in the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) from May – July 2021.

Nicole’s fellowship was funded by the Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST), the UK’s leading professional body for those involved in all aspects of food science and technology.

Video interview - Nicole Kennard

Recorded Summer 2021. 7 mins 11 seconds.

Here is a transcript of the video interview.

Below you can find some selected quotes from the video interview.

 

“...the issue with academic research is that a lot of knowledge just stays within those academic institutions and it never gets out to the people who could use it and learn from it to make decisions, even in everyday life or within policy […] I really wanted to make an impact by doing research and by using my skills as a scientist and as a researcher.”

 

“... It [this fellowship] really did develop a different kind of confidence in myself as someone who’s not afraid to ask questions, and also as a science communicator, a scientific translator.”

 

“People are interested in these topics, parliamentarians are interested. Parliament and policymakers, they want to have this evidence to use, so we as researchers just need to take the time and learn the best way to present that evidence to them. […] I’ve learned so, so much at POST, […] I know that I’ve been able to use these skills to actually make a real difference and a real impact in the world.”

 

Useful links

Find out more about the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST).

Find out more about POST PhD fellowships from IFST and other funders.

Find out more about POSTNotes.

Watch a recording of our online training about engaging with Parliament as a PhD student.

Watch a recording of our online training on how to write for a parliamentary audience.

Read some tips from the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology on writing a policy brief.

Read our ‘how to’ guides on engaging with Parliament as a researcher.