As part of our new initiative across the Faculty, are showcasing research and their researchers across the board engaging with the future generations of researchers. This week we continue our My First Paper campaign with Professor Andrew Weeks from ILCAMS, telling us all about his first research paper.
What was the title of your first paper and who was it submitted to?
It was called Field Trial of TALC Direct Recording Scale’ published in the Journal of Tropical Paediatrics. I had been very excited by the work Prof David Morley of the Institute of Child Health in London and a group that he had set up called ‘Teaching Aids at Low Cost (TALC)’ which supplied affordable growth monitoring equipment, teaching aids and books to developing countries.
How would you explain what this paper was about to your grandparents?
When I was at Sheffield University Medical School, I got a small grant to go to Jamaica on elective in my 4th year. I had visited Prof Moreley's group at their project offices, and I agreed to go out and do a field test on one of their low cost scales for child growth monitoring designed for home use by parents and health workers at the University Clinic in Kingston, Jamaica (see photo).
What was the most significant thing for you about that paper?
Amazingly, this piece of research was my first attempt at what I still do today – look to improve maternal health in low resource settings using available technologies. Although it was published over 30 years ago, it set me on a path that continues to this day.
I also now realise that I have since modelled myself on David Morley who was so inspirational to me when I was at university. It reminds me of the importance of providing good role models for students.
What advice would you give to others about submitting their first paper?
Make a start by looking for opportunities to write letters to journals or rapid feedback to the BMJ. It’s a simple way to get started, even when you don’t have much research experience behind you. Then be persistent! It seems to take for ever to publish anything – but it’s worth it in the end.
You can find Andrew's first paper here.
Andrew Weeks is Professor of International Maternal Health Care, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool and Director of the Sanyu Research Unit. He was brought up in Kenya, but had his undergraduate and postgraduate medical training around Yorkshire (Sheffield, Leeds, Scunthorpe and Rotherham). Andrew has over 200 publications to his name and currently runs clinical trials in the UK, Uganda and India, funded by the MRC, Wellcome Trust, DFID and NIHR.