Catherine James

Hi, I’m Catherine, and I’m excited to run for Research Officer for ICSM’s Society of Research and Academia.

Having served on the SORA subcommittee last year, I thoroughly enjoyed supporting the organisation of events and selection of speakers for the Young Researchers' Conference. It was inspiring to see academics at all stages share their work and enthusiasm for discovery, and it confirmed for me how valuable SORA is in nurturing a research and innovation focussed community at ICSM. I am excited by the prospect of organising a Speed Networking Research Conference and writing up the event for publication, ensuring all involved can receive recognition for their work on a wider stage.

Through my own experiences in research and publication, I’ve seen first-hand how transformative early involvement in academia can be- not just for portfolio building and future careers, but for curiosity, confidence, and collaboration. As Research Officer, I’d love to make those opportunities accessible to everyone, including early-year pre-clinical students who may not yet see themselves as being able to be “researchers.”

My goals are to strengthen engagement across all year groups, expand mentorship links between students and academics, and continue building high-quality, inclusive events that celebrate and support student research.

I’d be honoured to contribute to SORA’s growth and help more students discover the excitement and impact of academic medicine.