We’re pleased to be working with Dr Charitini Stavropoulou, co-director of the Centre for Healthcare Innovation Research at City University, and colleagues at the Medical Research Council to better understand the impact that funding and other factors have on the careers of young medical researchers. 

”Engagement was great… the task allowed researchers to talk about their journeys and share experiences, which is exactly what it was meant to do”

Dr Charitini Stavropoulou

To support the project, we developed a number of creative ways to imagine the journey of a research academic, using metaphorical devices like ‘snakes and ladders’ or ‘mud runs’ that might help researchers reflect on the ups and downs of their career, and the role that universities, mentors and social factors might have on their personal development.

We decided on an interactive game of snakes and ladders to be used in a live workshop for around 90 delegates at the British Medical Association (BMA) House. It consisted of a printed grid along with snake and ladder stickers and post-its for researchers to add their thoughts and stick them to the game.

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