Michelle Amoah describes her experience on a residential Bioscience PhD retreat organised by the London Interdisciplinary Doctoral Programme (LIDo-DTP) , an opportunity she gained through In2careers back in September.
When I received the invitation to the LIDo retreat from the In2careers community, I had no idea I was about to embark on a truly life-changing journey. Held in the serene surroundings of Yarnfield Park, this retreat would turn out to be a whirlwind of intellectual stimulation, camaraderie, and a (pretend) murder mystery!
Day 1
The first day started with fellow members of the In2careers community and a cohort of PhD students buzzing with anticipation. After a round of introductions, the room was filled with excitement as we were each assigned secret roles in a murder mystery game. The rules were simple: find your target and lightly touch them with your assigned weapon, all while avoiding being “killed” yourself. Each of us were given a secret name and a specific location to carry out our fictional deeds, and just like that, the game was afoot.
But that wasn’t the only challenge on the table. We also took part in eight team-building activities
that required both skill and strategy. From table soccer to darts, splat the rat, and basketball,
every event tested our competitive edge and collaborative spirit. Amid the games and
activities, the heart of the retreat remained firmly rooted in science.
Throughout the day, a series of talks from various students on the programme brought us back to our shared passion — research. It was inspiring to see the breadth of interdisciplinary projects being pursued, each sparking new ideas and possibilities. The first day was long, no doubt about it. But as I lay in bed that night, I knew every moment was worth it.
Day 2
The second day of the retreat began on a calming note as we gathered for morning yoga. After the intensity of the previous day, the gentle stretches and deep breathing exercises were exactly what we needed to recharge our bodies and minds. It was refreshing, not just physically, but mentally—a peaceful prelude to another exciting day.
Once refreshed, we dove into the core of the retreat: presentations from the PhD students. The talks spanned a wide range of disciplines—neuroscience, biochemistry, immunology—each offering a glimpse into the fascinating and diverse world of interdisciplinary research. It was enlightening to see the ways these fields intersect and complement each other, making me appreciate the vastness of scientific exploration.
But it wasn’t just about academic knowledge; we also heard from an array of professionals
working outside the lab, showcasing the breadth of opportunities available to scientists. From the finance sector to the world of science editing, they shared insights into their day-to-day roles. One common theme resonated throughout their talks—the power and importance of networking. Building relationships within and beyond the scientific community is key to career growth and innovation.
As evening approached, we switched gears from presentations to celebrations. The cocktail
dinner was a burst of colour and excitement. Everyone donned their finest attire, and the room buzzed with energy as we mingled and shared stories of the day’s events. It felt like the perfect blend of formal and festive, a chance to connect with fellow attendees on a more personal level.
The evening concluded with a keynote speech by none other than Professor David Nutt, who
took us on a fascinating journey into the world of psychedelics. His talk on resurrecting psychedelics through brain research was captivating, revealing a side of neuroscience I had never encountered before. It was a learning moment for me, as I had never previously delved into the subject of psychedelic drugs.
While the day was packed with learning and inspiration, the murder mystery game was still very much alive—and unfortunately for me, so was my target. During one of the many moments of mingling, I found myself sitting across from someone I thought could help me in my secret mission. In what seemed like a stroke of genius at the time, I casually asked if they happened to know my target. As it turns out, I wasn’t the only one on the hunt—my dinner companion quickly realized that I was their target!
I had practically handed myself over to them on a silver platter. In an awkward twist of fate, I was “eliminated” on the spot. Though it was a cringe-worthy moment, it did provide plenty of laughs and became one of those stories everyone loves to retell. It’s safe to say that my detective skills might need a bit of sharpening!
Day 3
The final day of the PhD retreat began with a series of last presentations, bringing together all the insights and research shared throughout the event. It felt like a fitting conclusion to the intellectually stimulating few days we’d had.
Then came the moment everyone had been waiting for—the prizes! The winners of the murder mystery game, the poster presentations, and the pub quizzes were announced, and the room filled with cheers and laughter as the victors celebrated their successes. We capped off the event with a group photo, a symbol of the friendships and connections we’d made over the past three days.
As we sat down for lunch, there was a sense of accomplishment in the air. For me, the retreat had been much more than just academic presentations and games—it was a reminder that pursuing a PhD is about finding balance. Yes, it’s about advancing your knowledge and research, but it’s also about having fun, improving communication and working together as a team.
With my bag packed and a heart full of memories, I made my way back to Glasgow, feeling inspired.
Michelle is a member of In2careers. If you’re looking for opportunities to kickstart your journey in STEM, make sure you check out the platform and sign up for more opportunities like these!
LIDo is the largest BBSRC-funded Doctoral Training Partnership in the UK, representing collaboration between eight London universities and specialist institutions. In partnership with In2careers, LIDo offered some of our participants an opportunity to attend their annual retreat to gain a better understanding of what a Bioscience PhD involves. If you would like to find out more about how you or your organisation can get involved with our In2careers community, visit our volunteers page or email [email protected].