“I think of QSV as an interface between staff members and senior management, focusing on improving and building the Quadram Institute sense of community ,” summarises Chair of the QSV committee Dr Alejandro Morales Florez.

Representing postdocs, technicians and support staff

Alejandro explains, “We are made up of, and represent, all staff who are below the Group Leader level of seniority. This includes, but is not limited to project scientists, postdoctoral researchers, technicians, project managers and other research staff.”

QSV committee member Research Scientist Dr Emmanuelle Crost adds, “When you’re a student you have the Quadram Student Forum; this is for everyone else other than senior managers. QSV covers not just researchers but those in support teams such as communications, administration and other teams.”

Fellow committee member Research Scientist Dr Dimitris Latousakis explains more about how the group evolved, “The QSV grew out of the former Quadram Institute Postdoc Society (QIPS). Some years ago it was decided that the group would include other research and support members but, unsurprisingly, due to the QIPS name, lots of people didn’t realise they were included. So, we decided to rebrand the group and it evolved into Quadram Science Voice (QSV) in 2023 to make the group more inclusive.”

Building a community through events and initiatives to improve life at the Quadram Institute

The QSV holds a number of social events throughout the year including coffee socials, along with other events.

“I would like to encourage a sense of unity,” says Alejandro. “When you start working here you’re often working on a specific project in one specific research group. We want to find ways to break away walls between different groups and encourage people to mingle more.”

Last year, together with the Fermented Foods Network, the QSV funded the first Kimjang event which brought together staff and students across the Norwich Research Park to make kimchi and build community.

Previously, the QSV co-organised with the Green team a day planting wildflowers and installing hedgehog houses to improve biodiversity and build community. Emmanuelle explains, “As well as being part of the QSV committee, I’m chair of the Green team and it’s great to work on collaborative projects across the groups. We’ve worked together on projects such as setting up a communal bike maintenance tool. Connections between groups really helps.”

Dimitris adds, “That’s the thing about QSV. We have other internal groups and committees that each have their niche such as the Neurodiversity Nook whereas in QSV we are very broad and we bring all aspects of community at the Quadram Institute together. QSV is a platform to raise ideas people have and implement those changes.”

Alejandro highlights, “An example of a success story is the lactation room, an area that was introduced for people who are breastfeeding. It’s these kinds of initiatives suggested by staff that we implement. Often, we raise ideas or suggestions people may not want to raise individually with operations or senior management. We can raise it as a group instead.”

Academic activities

Along with arranging social events and instigating initiatives to build community, the QSV organise academic activities such as an internal seminar series and the Annual Science Meeting.

The Annual Science Meeting is a day which showcases research, different perspectives, career journeys and offers an opportunity for colleagues to connect across the institute.

The QSV are currently planning the next Annual Science Meeting. Alejandro expands, “This year we want to try and do something a bit different with the Annual Science Meeting in 2027. We are hoping to re-design the day to allow for a social event at the end.”

Developing skills as committee members

Being part of the QSV committee offers the opportunity to develop new skills.

Alejandro reflects, “Earlier in the year I was trying to see where my career would go. I realised that for quite a few career directions I would need some skills outside the lab. I spoke with a few people around about how I could build those skills and the QSV had an opportunity for a new chair. I thought that would be a good way to build those skills and also have an impact on the Quadram Institute.”

Dimitris says on his experience of being part of QSV, ” For me, I was kind of reeled into QIPS a while ago to help with a training programme. I stayed on, taking one project on after another. For me, being part of the QSV is a good opportunity to learn some skills outside the lab, like project management and communicating with senior management. I see the value in being part in QSV.”

He adds, “Being part of the QSV committee isn’t a huge commitment, we meet around once a month for an hour, though planning and running certain events or activities might require more time. Some projects, like the ASM, are more involved than others.”

Reflecting on her involvement with the QSV Emmanuelle says, ” I started getting involved with the QSV for the social aspect. Then over time I got involved with part of organising things. Different people bring different strengths and different ideas to the committee. At the moment there’s six of us but that fluctuates over time. The more the merrier on the committee.”

Alejandro concludes, “We are hoping to build a sense of community at the Quadram Institute. We are open to everyone’s ideas.”