Pauline Addis is a Research Associate at the Innovation Observatory and aside from her love of the job she has a passion for horses, running, stand-up comedy and cake! We spoke to her about how she got into the role and some of the unique initiatives she has delivered in her time here.
Describe your role in the team
I’m involved in lots of different areas under the banners of evidence synthesis and horizon scanning. Essentially, looking for and assessing new medical innovations and telling the right people about them.
How did you get into this career, what led you here?
I have a particularly strange pathway to the IO. A lifelong love of horses, in particular the way they move, led me to Newcastle in 2007 to begin my PhD in equine biomechanics. I enjoyed the research, but for me the real highlight was going to conferences to discuss my work with my peers, along with presenting at public engagement events and going on stage to do science stand-up comedy. A chance conversation with my then head of school in 2011 about careers in science communication led me to the world of research impact, initially within the department where I did my PhD then moving to the Faculty of Medical Sciences (FMS) in 2012. I spent a decade leading on impact across FMS, including setting up the North East Research Impact group and co-leading the national impact Special Interest Group for 18 months. I was a key part of the faculty team for two submissions to the national Research Excellence Framework in 2014 and 2021 (if you don’t know what this is, lucky you!) However by 2022 I wanted to get back into research, and recognised that impact had provided me with useful skills in gathering and synthesising evidence. I was already aware of the excellent work the IO does in the field of horizon scanning and evidence synthesis, and I began a 6-month secondment here in June 2022. I quickly realised that this was the place for me so I applied and interviewed for a role, which I started full time in January 2023.
What do you enjoy most about your role? What are you most proud of?
I have a very active brain, which thrives on being given a variety of types of work. Therefore the IO is perfect for me because the work is very diverse. I love that my day could include reviewing a briefing note, which must be done according to a strict set of criteria, followed by having to think more laterally to find a creative solution, then perhaps writing some slides for a conference presentation then having a meeting about a rapid horizon scan we are performing for a stakeholder. I like that we are given autonomy and trusted to manage our own time, but given ample support when it is needed. We are all pushed to achieve our potential: for example I was asked to become a line manager and a “buddy”, as well as lead projects, within 6 months of starting. In the spring of 2024 we set up a new initiative to mange and streamline the requests we receive from stakeholders for rapid horizon scans. As of November 2024, we have already completed four and have another in the pipeline. As co-lead, I am hugely proud of what we have achieved: the initiative even has a logo! Although it’s still early days, I’m really excited to see how it expands and develops in the coming years. Finally, but perhaps most importantly, the people are a key reason I want to come into the office every day. The team is talented, hard working, supportive and generous and I’ve made some great friends. There is always someone to ask for advice and to a large extent we are self-regulating, setting up teams and chats as necessary. We’re a close-knit group: for example several of us go for a run together on a Thursday lunchtime, there are always people to have lunch with and we have regular post-work events. There is usually a great buzz in the office, and there are always cakes on the treat shelf!
What do you do outside of work?
Unsurprisingly, my main interest outside of work is riding. I ride my own horse every day, competing in national level eventing (horse trials) with the aim of taking on the first level of international competition before I’m 50! It’s an early start but well worth it. I also enjoy cooking, in particular anything beef-related, wandering around random European countries and seeing how early I can go to bed.
To get to know more of our team, take a look at our news page for more ‘In the Spotlight’ interviews here
