The opportunity to take on the role of ECR Chair of the UK-HyRES ECR Network came quite unexpectedly.
When Prof. Tim Mays first offered me the position, my immediate instinct was to decline. It had been just over a year since I moved to the UK, and although I felt confident given my past leadership experiences, I was also very aware that my professional network here was still limited.
However, I soon realised what a privilege it was to lead the ECR network of a national research hub, and what an incredible opportunity it offered to build upon the strong foundation laid by the previous Chair, Dr Rajan Jagpal. The unwavering support of my PI, Prof. Paul Dodds, ultimately gave me the confidence to step into the role.
My vision for the ECR network was deeply personal. My PhD journey in hydrogen research had been quite isolating. I was the only researcher in my groups working in this area, and I never had the opportunity to be part of a broader community where I could learn, share ideas, collaborate, and grow alongside peers facing similar challenges. During that time, my lab colleagues and Christian campus groups became my main source of emotional and mental support, alongside my family. I can genuinely say that my faith in God carried me through some of the most difficult phases of my life.
Because of this, I wanted the ECR network to become something I wished I had – a supportive and connected research community. My aim was to ensure that no early-career researcher feels alone in their journey. I wanted to create a space where ECRs could access opportunities, find guidance, build collaborations, and feel a genuine sense of belonging, especially during challenging times.
This vision shaped the initiatives we introduced, including a mentorship scheme, research presentations, webinars, training sessions, industry engagement, interactions with senior academics, and sharing opportunities. More importantly, the network became a platform to help researchers step beyond their niche areas, see how their work fits into the bigger picture, and collaborate towards a shared goal. In that sense, the UK-HyRES ECR network is not just a community; it is a bridge that connects ideas, people, and purpose.
Looking back over the past year, serving as ECR Chair has been an incredibly rewarding experience. It strengthened my leadership and organisational skills in ways I did not anticipate. I gained experience in setting agendas, facilitating discussions across diverse groups, and ensuring that ECR voices were heard and represented. It also gave me valuable insight into how strategic decisions are made in collaborative research environments and how to balance competing priorities while keeping people engaged and aligned.
One of the most valuable lessons was learning to work with a diverse team, often with different and sometimes conflicting perspectives, and to find ways to bring everyone together constructively. That experience alone has significantly shaped my approach to leadership.
The role also pushed me beyond my comfort zone. It strengthened my confidence in taking initiative, launching new ideas, and engaging with a wide range of stakeholders from senior academics to external partners and peers. It also provided me with valuable opportunities to represent and speak on behalf of the UK-HyRES hub at various forums and conferences. I developed strong skills in event planning, communication, and managing group dynamics. Perhaps most importantly, I built a broader professional network and helped foster a supportive ECR community that continues to grow beyond the role’s formal structure.
This experience has equipped me with highly transferable skills that will support my future career, whether in academia or beyond, including programme development, leadership, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the management of complex initiatives. More than that, it has reshaped how I see myself. It has brought out the leader in me and given me the confidence to take on new challenges I might once have hesitated to pursue.
None of this would have been possible without the incredible people around me—my PI, the ECR committee, the administrative team, the directors, the management board, and all the ECRs who generously supported this journey. This was never an individual effort; it was a collective one. I am confident that the future chairs and teams will continue to build on this and take the network to even greater heights. As UK-HyRES continues to grow into an international community, I truly hope it will continue to empower and inspire the next generation of leaders in research and beyond.
If there is one thing I would like to leave behind, it is this: opportunities do not always come twice. When they come, they may not feel convenient, and you may not feel ready, but don’t let that stop you. Step forward anyway.
Because the truth is, you are far more capable than you think. With the right people around you, you will not only achieve what you set out to do, but you will also surpass it. And somewhere along that journey, you will discover strengths you never knew you had and grow into a version of yourself you never imagined possible.
In recognition of Sibimol’s contribution to the ECR Network, Professor Chris Brace, Director and Principal Investigator of UK-HyRES, shared:
“As Sibimol steps down from her role as Chair of the UK-HyRES Early Career Researcher (ECR) Network, I would like to take the opportunity to personally thank her for the outstanding contribution she has made to our community.
“Sibimol has been instrumental in shaping the ECR Network into the vibrant, supportive and highly engaged community it is today. Through her leadership, energy and commitment, she has introduced a wide range of activities and initiatives that have created real value for our early career researchers. From establishing a mentorship programme and regular research presentation opportunities, to organising monthly webinars, training sessions, industry engagement events and networking meetings, she has worked tirelessly to ensure ECRs have access to the support, knowledge and opportunities they need to thrive.
“What has been particularly impressive is the way Sibimol has grown the network beyond UK-HyRES itself. Under her leadership, the ECR Network has expanded to more than 100 members, attracting participation from researchers across the UK and internationally. This has strengthened collaborations, broadened perspectives and created an inclusive environment where early career researchers can learn from, and support, one another.
“The success of the network is reflected in the feedback we regularly receive from ECRs, who consistently highlight how valuable they find the activities, connections and opportunities that the network provides. The sense of community and belonging that has developed is a direct result of Sibimol’s dedication and vision.
“On behalf of UK-HyRES, I would like to offer my sincere thanks to Sibimol for her leadership and service. She leaves behind a thriving network and a lasting legacy that will continue to benefit our ECR community for years to come.”