Chatting with Aditi Siddharth on finding a deep interest and building a coherent career story before embarking on a DPhil

In episode eight we chat with Dr Aditi Siddharth, a senior obstetrics and gynaecology specialist training in Oxford, about her (not-straight-forward) doctoral journey exploring surgical training using simulation. She reflects on how she meandered into educational research through an opportunity to effectively organise education in the NHS, given freedom to enhance shared learning in a multi-disciplinary team, before enrolling in a master’s programme in surgical science and practice which led into a DPhil. While COVID-19 may have raised concerns around the need to improve surgical skill training, Aditi found that it had been an ongoing challenge – perhaps worsened by failure to make full use of available simulation training. Aditi recommends using simulation alongside traditional training in surgery, while drawing on Kopta’s theory of learning technical skills for her intervention studies. She encourages those thinking about branching into educational work or formal study to first find what they are truly interested in and what brings them joy, before diving into a long-term commitment. The importance of finding a good supervisor and having a support system around you are emphasised, along with being open to learn, understanding the research projects evolve over time and the necessity of having a thick skin. She also recommends reflecting on what story your CV tells about who you are. You can connect with Aditi at: aditi.siddharth@stx.ox.ac.uk