60 seconds with… Professor Anne Schilder

Professor Anne Schilder, who hails from the University College London Ear Institute in the UK, has joined us on campus over the past few weeks as a Visiting Professor. We got in touch to ask her about her illustrious career and her thoughts about her visit to Macquarie so far.

I am visiting Macquarie University because…
I am on a sabbatical at the Australian Hearing Hub to experience the interactions between industry and academia. With so many companies on campus and close collaborations with various institutes, Macquarie is the ideal host institute. In return, I can share my clinical trials expertise with the clinicians and researchers at Macquarie University’s Australian Hearing Hub.

In a nutshell, my job is to…
Lead ‘evidENT’, my fast growing multidisciplinary clinical research team at University College London. We are dedicated to developing the best research and researchers in ENT, Hearing and Balance

Why were you originally drawn to this line of work?
When I trained to be an ENT surgeon in Europe and visited hospitals in the US, I was struck by how different ENT surgeons managed ear, nose and throat infections. This drew me to evidence-based medicine and trials. Learning that doctors often resist new evidence got me interested in qualitative research. During my visit I have been able to follow a qualitative research course at Macquarie’s Australian Institute of Health Innovation, which has been great!

What has been your greatest professional accomplishment
Making a success of my NIHR Research Professorship. This fellowship was awarded to me five years ago, and since then, I’ve grown an amazing team that now includes more than 25 researchers and support staff. Together, we’ve attracted more than £10 million GBP (approximately $17.5 million AUD) in research funding for a range of projects. I am proud that throughout our research we work very closely with patients and their families to decide what we will be researching and how; an example is the National Research Agenda for ENT, Hearing and Balance.

With the benefit of hindsight, what is your best advice for someone who is just starting their research career?
Be curious, go and explore, be challenged, ask for help, learn and enjoy.

What are your plans for the next 10 years?
Deliver the big projects and trials that we have been awarded, grow the next generation of researchers in ENT, Hearing and Balance, and continue to explore new horizons.

Outside work, you’ll often find me…
In a pottery studio or museum exploring ceramics. And traveling.

Is there anything you’d love to do during your current visit?
Get sunshine, as much as possible.

Is there anything else we should know about you?
The last time I took up a sabbatical, at UCL from UMC Utrecht, I decided to stay, so my family is watching me closely this time!

 

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