Profile
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Ruth Weir
An entrepreneurship Advisor at UCL
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About Me:
Neuroscientist. Triathlete. Entrepreneurship advisor. Neurodiversity advocate.
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I used to study how brains work and now I run training workshops in entrepreneurship. I like to participate in triathlons and marathons, which keeps me fit. I volunteer at a youth group for teenagers with different needs, including autism and physical challenges. I don’t have much free-time, but when I do I love to go out for dinner with my friends and family.
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My Work:
I used to study how brains work, now I help students be more entrepreneurial
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My primary role is to run a training programme in entrepreneurship specifically dedicated to the needs of the doctoral community. The programme wants to equip UCL PhD students and our other doctoral students to be best placed to be competitive for their future careers.
Research is important because it informs how we interact with the complex world around us. I believe fundamental scientific methods have strong parallels with the process required to create a novel startup: observing the world, coming up with a research question and hypothesis, doing experiments to test those things, collecting data, analysing it, coming to conclusions and communicating those findings.
You need to come up with a minimal viable product that you then test and iterate and then communicate those findings and your vision to the wider world. And it’s those parallels between the process of the scientific method and the startup process that mean researchers make excellent entrepreneurs.
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My Typical Day:
I’m currently working on a two-year research project looking at the benefits of knowledge exchange programmes in collaboration with the University of Manchester. The project is examining two different models of doctoral training programmes in entrepreneurship to steer best practice in the higher education sector.
The way we teach entrepreneurial skills to the students is eclectic. These skills are highly applicable to students but up to now there’s been more focus on research and teaching at universities. Now though, we’re seeing a wave building behind entrepreneurship as a complete skillset that can help people formulate their own unique careers going forwards.
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Education:
Eltham Church of England School
Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School
University of Bath
University College London
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Qualifications:
A-levels in Maths, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. This set me up well for a career in science!
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Triathlon-loving, neuroscientist turned entrepreneurship advisor
What did you want to be after you left school?
A scientist
Were you ever in trouble at school?
I think I only had detention once!!
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Coldplay
What's your favourite food?
Pizza
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
1)
Tell us a joke.
What's brown and sticky? A stick!
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