SAAFE scholars share insights and impact with Board
Foundation Fellow Dr Claire Hayward and PhD Scholar Stephanie Faulks highlight the Scholars Program's unique support, professional growth opportunities, and its role in fostering meaningful contributions and industry connections.
Claire and Stephanie are reaping the
benefits of the SAAFE Scholars Program, recently presenting their work directly
to SAAFE’s Board.
Claire’s presentation explored the environmental pathways contributing to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) risks and their impact on public health. She emphasised the critical role of systems thinking and interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing these challenges.
She also highlighted the strength of the postdoctoral team within SAAFE, showcasing their ability to lead with independence, capability, and a strong sense of purpose.
“I wanted to show that we’re not just technically skilled, we’re actively building leadership capacity and engaging with end users throughout the research process. I also wanted to clearly communicate how the projects are progressing and the significance of our findings so far,” said Claire.
Stephanie’s presentation focused on AMR in advanced water treatment systems and introduced her PhD project on developing Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA) methods to set AMR control targets. Her research aims to tackle the environmental AMR challenge by assessing AMR genes linked to pathogens in identified hotspots.
She described presenting to the Board as a valuable development opportunity, both personally and professionally.
“Unlike my usual academic conference presentations, this required a different approach, challenging me to adapt my communication style.
“Crafting a presentation for the Board was a good opportunity to hone my ability to communicate complex concepts to a diverse audience. It pushed me to simplify intricate ideas and weave them into a clear, digestible narrative,” she said.
Stephanie admitted that while she appears confident, public speaking is something she has at times found challenging.
“This experience was a good opportunity to develop confidence in high-pressure situations. It was a chance to "do uncomfortable things" and grow, which has been beneficial for my overall personal development.”
SAAFE Director and Education and Training Committee Chair Tony Peacock said that while giving scientific presentations is part of a science career, speaking to a board of directors is very different.
"Claire and Stephanie were very impressive in describing their research in terms the Board could appreciate. SAAFE scholars have to be industry savvy and become advocates - roles that go well beyond 'normal' science training," he said.
Stephanie and
Claire agree the SAAFE Scholars Program offers invaluable exposure to industry
and government stakeholders, along with opportunities to build networks and
conduct research grounded in real-world impact.
“A key benefit is the length and structure of the projects, which really allows us to grow into research leadership roles over time. We’re given space and support to take on more responsibility, manage collaborations, and drive the direction of our work,” said Claire.
"It’s a unique opportunity to work on applied, high-impact projects while also developing the skills you need to lead and collaborate beyond academia. The program is supportive, well-connected, and gives you a chance to contribute meaningfully to environmental and public health outcomes,” she said.
Stephanie echoed Claire’s sentiments and encouraged others to apply.
“If you want great support in your project and career endeavours, to feel valued as a part of a team, and access to incredible knowledge networks – the SAAFE Scholars Program is absolutely worth pursuing.”