Connections that last a lifetime

British Science Week 2023 is all about exploring the theme of connections. This blog series celebrates the extraordinary lives and careers of just a handful of Portsmouth graduates working in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Dr Sarah Caddick, BSc (Hons) Biology graduate, shares her story today.

It’s safe to say Sarah wears many hats. She is a neuroscientist, philanthropist, entrepreneur, trustee, artist, expert adviser, and is glad to remain resolutely un-pigeonholed by any of these single definitions.  

As Founder and CEO of Thalamic, Sarah builds connections between philanthropists, academics and corporations to drive science and communities forward. She is a former guest curator and presenter for TEDGlobal, serves on numerous boards including that of the Science Museum (London), and has worked as a senior advisor across multiple charitable Trusts and Foundations for more than two decades.  

We’re delighted to hear her story and share it with you today:

Sarah, what does this year’s theme of “connections” mean to you?

Connections… It’s never just about you. You have to make time to find others, to hear others, to see others. Never underestimate the impact you have on someone, and how that can last a lifetime and return when you least expect it.

It’s your journey and you have to be in it. Fully. That’s what I’ve learnt across all the many parts of mine. The bits that I remember, the bits that make up my story, are the bits I was genuinely present for. The good news is that eventually you get to retell your journey and amuse, educate or inspire someone, somewhere. The good bits write themselves and the challenges take on a new light in the retelling. Trust the detours. 

My career so far - on paper - looks anything but sensible: scientist, philanthropist, artist and entrepreneur. And the places I’ve worked, again, a mixed bag of spaces - but it's the in-between that’s interesting. And it’s all about connecting the dots and the people. As an introvert it still makes me laugh when a friend or colleague says ‘ask Sarah, she knows everyone’.

What brought you to Portsmouth?

I messed up my A levels… I had my eye on a few places for University but when I called around to speak with the admissions teams Portsmouth was the only place that picked up the phone.. As I recall, I badgered the head of the course to let me on.

I always knew I wanted to study science, especially neuroscience, and buried in the general Biology course was the option to do that. The bonus being a fantastic lecturer who let me work in her lab and learn to do experiments.

By the time I left university I was just focused on becoming a research scientist, I hadn’t really thought much beyond that!

Please can you tell us about your journey from graduation to now?

Following my BSc at Portsmouth I went on to complete a PhD at Southampton University followed by a postdoctoral position at Duke University.

I then made the decision to leave research and was appointed Director of Science at one of the oldest cancer Foundations in the USA, based in New York City. 

From there, I moved on to work for a private foundation in Silicon Valley and then one in Seattle. I worked for a foundation/think tank in DC and then back to New York to help build the Mind Brain and Behaviour Institute at Columbia University.

I then moved back to the UK to head up neuroscience funding for Lord David Sainsbury and his charitable trust (building another big neuroscience institute among other things) and in 2017 set up my own consulting firm where I work with a range of clients in the sciences and philanthropy.

I have sat on a number of boards, from the World Economic Forum to the Science Museum (London) and have been part of some major global initiatives. I was also one of only a few ‘hosts’ given the chance to curate a full session at TEDGlobal.

Much of my work today is focused on helping my clients work through and develop their strategies, whether that means building new research institutes, rebooting them, or developing new programs and deciding how and what to fund across a wide spectrum of research areas.

What does an average day look like?

It’s a cliche for a reason; there is no average day! I can be working online, on a plane, in person across continents and countries. The diversity of my clients means working in different time zones and on different projects each day.

The most challenging element of my role tends to be navigating people and their expectations! But the people are what make my job rewarding too. Seeing them thrive. I love when they own that, and when I can see that I’ve made a difference in getting them to that point. 

What are you passionate about - what drives you in your career, and life?

I don’t think of being passionate about work or life, I think about being all in; being part of whatever I am doing, whatever it is I choose to do. Whether that’s solving a complex situation, advising a senior academic, traveling the world with friends, learning to work with clay, painting, hiking, my various roles as a Trustee… it’s all one big journey. 

Would you like to offer any words of advice to current students or recent graduates about to embark on their next steps?

As a woman in science, business, philanthropy, and art, I know there are challenges and I don’t downplay them. But don’t make the mistake of becoming complicit in the challenge. Become part of a solution, at any scale, individual or global. 

Don’t wait for an invite if you want to be involved in something. Look at different systems and see what can be applied in a different setting. Don’t overthink whether you know enough to have your seat at the table, pay attention and listen, learn. Someone else decided you were worthy to get that seat. Don’t insult them! 

Find good mentors. Be a good mentor. Don’t be afraid to reinvent yourself, last time I looked we weren’t made of stone.

Believe you can have an impact. Don’t wait for more money, more information, more praise, more age.. just do it - and don’t take things personally. You won’t be everyone's cup of tea, you won’t please everyone. Just try to be as honest and compassionate as you can and let others handle their own beliefs and emotions. I promise you that 90% of the time it's not about you!