"Developing policies must be grounded in real-world perspectives. Through my experience, I've frequently encountered a disparity between policy intentions and their actual implementation—a practice-policy gap. This emphasizes the importance of crafting policies that are deeply informed by on-the-ground realities."
December 24, 2023 | BY DIVYA P. KUMAR & RATNESHWAR THAKUR
In this 2023 edition of SciSoup's Career Development and Mentoring Blog Series, we are delighted to feature Dr. Rajeshwari Sinha, a science-policy researcher. In this SciSoup blog, Dr. Sinha shares her valuable insights and experiences of science-policy research and beyond.
1) Could you briefly introduce yourself to the audience?
I am a science-policy researcher working in the area of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a serious public health issue today. I work at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), a public interest research and advocacy organization based in New Delhi. In terms of my educational background, I hold a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in chemistry from St. Stephen’s College (Delhi University) and the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi), respectively. My doctoral degree from IIT Delhi was in the area of enzyme and microbial biochemistry. I am also an alumna of the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, where I have trained in general management aspects. Juggling motherhood with a toddler leaves little time for hobbies, but I find joy in music, travel, and writing when I can.
2) Describe your responsibilities in the current position that you hold.
In my current position, I lead and manage the program on antibiotics and AMR, a vertical under the Sustainable Food Systems unit. This program concentrates on policy research and advocacy pertaining to the non-human facets of AMR (involving animals, plants, and the environment). Our goal is to curb the rise and dissemination of AMR while fostering more sustainable food and environmental systems by advocating for crucial policy and practice changes.
3) How was your transition from academia to the science-policy interface?
After completing my PhD, I took an unconventional path from academia to science policy. Now, I operate at the intersection of science, policy, and health, focusing on areas such as AMR, sustainable food and environmental practices, education, and health communication. However, this transition did require some time.
During my PhD journey, I gradually realized my inclination to diverge from the typical path leading to postdoctoral roles or seeking positions in academia or industry. I felt compelled to explore alternative areas where doctoral candidates could also make significant contributions. With that in mind, I ventured into a stint as a subject matter expert at Wiley India Pvt. Ltd., curious about editorial roles—an intriguing area often overlooked in scientific community. Later I secured a position in the program proposal management unit with the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) that was being set up to formulate and support the development of DBT-BIRAC’s key initiatives, the National Biopharma Mission and the Knowledge Integration and Translational Platform (KnIT).
During my tenure at IAVI, I gained multifaceted exposure that significantly influenced my career direction. Engaging with esteemed professionals like Dr. M. K. Bhan, Dr. Vinod Paul, and Dr. Renu Swarup expanded my knowledge base. Beyond my previous lab work with microbes, I delved into diverse realms encompassing India's biotech landscape, immunology, vaccine development, infectious diseases, public health systems, maternal and child health, and nutrition. Transitioning into this new domain wasn't effortless; I encountered challenges and initially felt incapable of performing at my best. However, I persevered, allowing time for adaptation and growth.
Simultaneously, while the NBM and KnIT initiatives were taking form, I seized an opportunity to collaborate with CSE (Center for Science and Environment), a prestigious policy think tank. This avenue focused on antibiotics and AMR, aligning closely with my PhD expertise. It provided a platform to leverage my academic background while acquiring fresh insights into science-driven policy research and advocacy. I have remained engaged with this organization since, aspiring to contribute significantly to critical public health.
4) What are the additional training(s) required or that you had to take up to fit yourself to the current profession?
To be honest, I didn't pursue any additional formal training to specifically prepare myself for my current role in science policy. Much of my learning has been hands-on, adapting as I go. This, however, comes with its own set of limitations, challenges, and frustrations, which one eventually overcomes if we stay consistent and start tasting small pies of success. I've been fortunate to have exceptional mentors at work who've been instrumental in guiding me in this field.
However, lacking a background in public health, I took the initiative to enroll in several online courses to fortify my knowledge in this domain. Notably, I completed a PG Diploma in Public Health Services Management, a comprehensive year-long online program offered by the Public Health Foundation of India and the Indian Institute of Public Health Bhubaneswar.
5) What does it take to make a science policy and also transform it into practice?
Developing policies must be grounded in real-world perspectives. Through my experience, I've frequently encountered a disparity between policy intentions and their actual implementation—a practice-policy gap. This emphasizes the importance of crafting policies that are deeply informed by on-the-ground realities. Doing so enables an assessment of potential, feasibility, and limitations of implementing proposed policies. Moreover, science-driven policy formulation necessitates evidence, whether derived from fieldwork or experiments. Effective communication is equally pivotal, requiring a distinct approach that simplifies and clarifies findings for policymakers, diverging from the technicalities typical of research publications.
It's crucial to acknowledge that policymaking is a time-intensive process. Continual advocacy across diverse platforms, often relying on multiple evidence-backed approaches, is essential.
6) What are the scope and challenges of working at the science-policy-health interface?
This field is both novel and intriguing, offering a distinct essence. It provides ample opportunities to engage with diverse stakeholders, nationally and globally, contributing to a refined comprehension and broader perspective on the subject matter. Accumulating a credible body of work gradually also opens avenues to influence or contribute to esteemed global forums such as the World Health Organization, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and the United Nations Environment Programme.
For someone like me, without extensive formal training in this realm, the journey has predominantly been one of experiential learning. Initially, it might feel bewildering, yet over time; it becomes a process of linking observations, developing both macro and micro perspectives, and contextualizing them. While it can be occasionally disheartening or challenging, retrospectively, this path has instilled in me the values of persistence and patience.
7) If you were asked to provide 3- tips/ guidance to aspirants who would like to follow a similar career path, what would you suggest?
The primary step is to have faith in your capabilities. With belief and confidence, navigating towards the right opportunities becomes feasible. Embracing the willingness to unlearn, relearn, and continuously acquire new knowledge is crucial.
Secondly, pursue career paths that genuinely bring you joy and satisfaction. However, this enjoyment might take time to manifest fully. If we sense that it's not aligning with our expectations, transitioning or changing paths should be approached without guilt but with optimism for what lies ahead.
Lastly, there is no substitute for hard work. A competitive drive, self-motivation, and determination are all integral to this pursuit. Dedicated effort is crucial for those aspiring to achieve success. This rings especially true when venturing into new, unexplored territories, where readiness to invest additional effort is essential as the situation demands.
When the going gets tough, the tough gets going!
Disclaimer - SciSoup claims no competing interest. The opinions expressed by participants in this blog are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the blog creators or its affiliates. The purpose of this blog series is to raise awareness about non-academic careers and provide mentoring insights.
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