Huge thanks to the haukāinga (local people) for the powerful pōwhiri that opened #ISBNPA2025

We witnessed:
The haka! (ritual chant & movement for strength and energy)
Karanga (welcome call by women)
Whaikōrero (speeches from leaders)
Waiata (songs)
Hongi (traditional greeting by pressing noses)

Traded British summer for a chilly but breathtaking welcome to Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland for #ISBNPA2025. Lanyard on, conference buzz in the air, excited for a week of physical activity, behaviour, and nutrition research.

@isbnpa.bsky.social

My first research stall was a success! I created a gumball machine to collect people's barriers and facilitators to physical activity. Community engagement with a nostalgic twist!

Thanks to Friends of Foundry / Foundry PCN Sheffield for hosting a brilliant #IWD Community Health & Wellbeing event 👒

a studio set up to film an interview - a bright orange chair sits between freestanding lights, ready to film

Attended a great workshop at Helix@Leeds to learn how to film interviews - lighting, sound, the works. Stephen @sjm85.bsky.social and I tested our skills with a hard-hitting exposé: What do academics do for Valentine’s Day? Learning to edit next week, stay tuned for some questionable camera angles!

a large bag of lego pieces has been emptied on a black tablecloth. Out of shot is 5 people sat at the table, their hands reaching in to touch the lego pieces

Highlights of my #NIHRdoctoralfellowship so far:

LEGO Serious Play at the NIHR Members Conference #nihramc24
Task: "It’s 2029, how have we improved public trust in research?" I built bridges between universities, hospitals & community centres. Simon built a submarine. Both equally valid approaches

A girl sat at a dining table smiling at the camera, wearing a leopard print top

A small note with a fingerprint visible, held up to the light shining above from a UV lamp which reveals "viv its over" written in invisible ink

Birds eye view of a dining table with a case file of detective notes, a newspaper clipping with the headline "murder on the midnight express" and empty plates with knifes and forks laid on top

My birthday celebrations at #sixbynico, investigating the untimely demise of chef Gustave aboard the midnight express. Six courses of intrigue, clues, and culinary theatrics. The real crime was how quickly I inhaled the goat's cheese mousseline. A very good way to turn a year older 🚂🔪🕵‍♀️

I would please! 🙋‍♀️

Forever grateful to @nihr.bsky.social for making my dream project a reality!

My #NIHRDoctoralFellowship has begun!

Thanks to early support from WellcomeTrust & Peaches PV, I know patients want to be active but struggle with side effects & lack of tailored support.

WILDCAT aims to develop culturally sensitive, tailored physical activity support for women after womb cancer.