Why Public Engagement Matters - And Why I Keep Coming Back

For Professor Emma Hall, Director of the ICR’s Clinical Trials and Statistics Unit, speaking with students at local careers events has become a powerful reminder of why she works in clinical trials and statistics. It gives her the chance to broaden young people’s understanding of science and the many paths that lead into cancer research.

"I first began taking part in careers evenings at local schools a few years ago - and every time I do, I come away both energised and inspired. These events help me share what we do at the ICR, and more importantly, help young people see just how many doors there are into science.

When I talk to students studying maths or physics, many believe that a degree in statistics or data science means only one or two career paths - finance or actuarial work. But that’s not the whole picture. Statisticians are also needed in research, in clinical trials, and in academic cancer research. And yet, many students have never even heard of clinical trials units, let alone considered them for a career.

Through public engagement, I can open that door for them. I love explaining that clinical trials are not just something on the evening news - they’re part of how we improve patient care. And I remind students that they could one day contribute to that. Not just by working in trials, but by designing them, running them, or analysing the data.

At these events, not every student will engage - and sometimes, it’s a parent who carries the conversation (teenagers are, after all, still teenagers). But what always strikes me is the potential in the room: the curiosity, the intelligence, and the willingness to ask “could that be me?” In my day-to-day work at the ICR, I see how privileged I am to collaborate with colleagues who are all driven by the same mission: to improve outcomes for cancer patients. Having the opportunity to share that mission with the next generation gives me a renewed sense of purpose.

If even one student leaves an evening thinking, “I could do that. I could work in cancer research,” then it’s time very well spent.

To my colleagues who haven’t yet taken part in public engagement: I’d encourage you to give it a go. Whether it’s a careers evening, a school visit or a science fair, the moments we spend speaking with young people, sharing our stories, and listening to theirs - it all adds up. These connections matter. They remind us why we do this work, and help to build a future where science is more inclusive, more understood, and more inspiring."