Launching in 2025, the Early Career award offers the opportunity to recognise the contributions of our early career members' enthusiasm, dedication, and service during their membership with SCI.
This year's winner is Amy Newell for her exceptional service to the Agri-Food Early careers group, the Careers committee, and her dedication to SCI's early careers programme. Amy will receive her award at SCI's AGM on 2 July 2025.
Read Amy's interview below:
When and why did you become a member of SCI?
I became a member of the SCI in my undergraduate degree on the recommendation of my Chemistry tutor. I was interested in doing a PhD in Plant Sciences and wanted to network with more people in that area.
Why did you decide to get involved in committee work?
Upon joining SCI, I was fortunate to become one of the pre-PhD mentees in the inaugural round of the SCI Agri-Food Early Careers Group pre-PhD mentoring scheme. After receiving a PhD offer, I was invited to join the committee, and a year later, I was elected as the social media officer. At my first committee meeting, there was a plethora of initiatives that the committee was looking for members to support and I was actively engaged from the beginning- I moderated a Q&A at one of our webinars after my third meeting.
What has driven your continued involvement with SCI?
The main driving factor has been the support and guidance from other SCI members. For example, I got some great advice on how to find a PhD Internship Placement (PIPs) from some of the Agri-Food Early Career committee members further on in their PhDs and SCI offers some networking opportunities for ECRs. There are lots of exciting events and opportunities ran by SCI, plus from being on a committee you can help create the events that you’d like to attend.
How has being involved in SCI activities had an impact on your professional career?
In my previous social media officer role and now as chair, I chair a lot of meetings/ webinars/ seminars. I think that this has made it a lot less daunting both talking to big groups and meeting new people. Further, being awarded an SCI Scholarship in 2023 enabled me to carry out some PhD work in Spain, an opportunity that I never would have managed to organise without the help from the SCI.
How do your SCI activities reflect your personal/professional interests?
I’m a Plant Scientist and through the various Agri-related groups at the SCI, I’ve met people from all across the Agri-Food sector. Further, I’ve been able to become involved in pre-PhD mentoring and educational research as part of the Agri-Food Early Careers group.
What advice would you give to Early career individuals joining the society?
Join a committee in your area of interest. It gives you a core group of people that you will get to know who you can meet up with at SCI events. Sometimes it’s daunting to turn up and be unsure if you will know anyone, but you will get to meet so many interesting people.
How do you think that your contribution has helped shape SCI?
I’d like to think that my contributions to the Agri-Food Early Careers group has enabled ECRs to have a voice at the SCI and within the wider Agri-Food sector. For example, our group presented a poster last January at the Plant Science Education meeting in Lancaster.
What are your thoughts about receiving an Early Career Award?
I feel honoured. I have a great time engaging with the SCI and I’m amazed that my small contribution is worthy of note. Thank you for recognising my contribution.
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