A few years ago, I had the chance to take on the role of a senior editor at the INSPIRE student journal. This position offered a unique experience that allowed me to collaborate with students from diverse backgrounds, including medical, veterinary and dentistry fields. Our collective efforts spanned across the four universities of Cardiff, Bristol, Exeter and Plymouth, and together, we managed various aspects of the journal.
The beauty of this opportunity lay in its emphasis on teamwork and collaboration. Working alongside my colleagues to copy-edit and peer-review the journal, I learned ethical considerations and logistical complexities inherent in medical research. This hands-on experience offered me a behind-the-scenes look at the world of medical research, which ultimately motivated me to publish my own work in the journal. In addition, this opportunity opened the door for me to take part in the Learn 2 Innovate student healthcare innovation program; a workshop series focusing on medical technologies with a collaborative task to develop a healthcare innovation idea with other medics, engineers, and computer science students, mirroring the cooperative spirit I experienced through my involvement with the INSPIRE student journal.
Additionally, having an international background, I had the opportunity to draw comparisons between this unique experience and other research encounters I’ve had abroad, spanning across both developed and developing countries. As I approach the conclusion of my medical school journey, I’m not only taking away academic knowledge from this experience, but also a deeper understanding of the collaborative nature of medical research.
