Research in Oxford

During my PhD, my enthusiasm for science developed into a clear career path. The Early Career Mobility Programme run by the Oxford Berlin Research Partnership provided me with an ideal framework for my academic development in an international environment.

Research certainly requires a high degree of discipline and independence, particularly when tackling challenging questions that involve trial and error and setbacks.

This made the open and supportive atmosphere, which shaped my time there in a special way, all the more enriching.

When, during my first week of work, I was given the opportunity at the lab meeting to introduce myself and my research project in detail, I was impressed by the high-quality discussion with colleagues from, in some cases, very different disciplines, who approached my project with great interest. I found the extensive networking opportunities in Oxford particularly exciting: for almost every question, it was possible to find people, projects or databases that had already tried similar approaches.

 

The intensive support provided by our project partner in Oxford, who was my primary point of contact there, proved particularly valuable during my research stay. Despite his demanding daily workload as both a researcher and a surgeon performing several operations a week, he regularly took the time not only to discuss the progress of the project and ensure that the work met my expectations, but also to enquire about my general well-being during my stay.

So, every day during my stay, I really enjoyed going to the modern, open-plan office of the large Oxford research group, where I was able to concentrate fully on my project at my dedicated workstation – accompanied by plenty of coffee from the now legendary new coffee machine, which was something of a minor attraction in the office.

Together with our partner from Oxford, we developed a research project for my stay, which was particularly well-rounded thanks to the continuity of its content:

A few years earlier, our Oxford partner had learnt modern statistical methods in the field of patient-centred outcomes (Patient-Reported Outcomes; PROs) and applied them to an innovative, clinically oriented pilot project in Oxford. The result was a digital platform that records the severity of post-operative symptoms from the patient’s perspective at high frequency whilst remaining easily accessible. This enables both continuous monitoring of recovery and supports early intervention in the event of potential complications.

Building on this foundation, I was able to methodically further develop this digital innovation using the statistical knowledge I had gained during my PhD. By standardising the linking of subjective patient reports with more objective parameters, we not only succeeded for the first time in making the various measurement tools directly comparable, but also in ensuring they complemented one another effectively – an important step towards making the digital application even more practical and efficient.

The academic exchange proved to be very productive, and my time in Oxford provided the impetus for further research projects, which I have been pursuing since my return to Berlin.

Oxford is defined by its historic colleges, which are impressive even from an architectural point of view. However, my supervisor’s PhD student there, Kim, gave me a real insight into life in the colleges.

As we strolled through Christ Church College, she told me about the formal dinners, where students regularly dine together in formal attire and according to traditional etiquette; the renowned Oxford debates, which attract leading politicians and celebrities for lectures and discussions; as well as the lavish balls, the exam rituals and the colleges’ own legends. Just as I could hardly have been more fascinated by the stories, we finally reached the famous dining hall at Christ Church College, which also served as the backdrop for the legendary Hogwarts dining hall scenes. There, a lavishly laid brunch table awaited us, featuring typical British fare.

Amidst countless hand-painted portraits and the buzz of the students’ conversations, we took our seats at the end of the long table – a moment I will never forget.

Kim also invited me to her college, St John’s, to experience a formal dinner. Dressed in formal attire and she in her gown, we made our way through various corridors, past the library, and finally arrived at the traditional dining hall. The formal dinner began with a Latin grace, recited by one person on behalf of the entire hall. The first course was then served, accompanied by the college’s own wine, which, combined with the atmosphere, made for a special experience. After the professors had left the hall and we’d finished our meal, Kim showed me the college’s own bar with its signature drink. We then explored the surrounding traditional venues, where J. R. R. Tolkien and other legendary writers are said to have once frequented.

Oxford is home to countless stories and secret spots, which I gradually discovered for myself during my stay. It was a truly magical time that will stay with me and which I will be talking about for a long time to come.