How does a Professor of Medical Statistics and Co-Director of a Clinical Trials Unit spend her time? “There’s no typical day” said Chris. “For example, at the moment, I am working on a funding proposal for a study to evaluate minimally invasive versus open surgery for lung cancer, as the Clinical Trials and Evaluation Unit is part of the Bristol Surgical Trials Unit, but earlier today, I chaired a meeting of the Standard Operating Procedures Group, spoke to the IT team about some technical issues, dealt with some management issues and mentored some of our  junior researchers.”

The Clinical Trials and Evaluation Unit (CTEU) is one of two such units at the University of Bristol. It runs a range of trials, most of which are surgical, and includes many in cardiac surgery. It also carries out a number of observational studies. The unit has a range of expertise: research coordinators, research nurses, IT specialists, statisticians, health service researchers and administration staff, and works closely with colleagues involved in the prestigious Biomedical Research Unit (BRU) in Cardiovascular Disease.

Chris is a mathematician; she has a BSc in mathematics and a PhD in statistics. She also trained as a teacher but after working in the civil service on an undergraduate placement, decided to pursue a career as a statistician. She has worked in the health sector for a number of years, initially in the NHS and more recently at the University.

“One of the biggest challenges facing women generally is juggling home and work life,” she said. Chris has long been the major bread-winner of her family, working long hours to support her children, both of whom are now grown up. “There are many more benefits for women working today, than when I had my family,” she said. “The working environment is certainly more flexible than it was 20 years ago, which can only help with the perpetual challenge of the work-life balance”.

The unit has a large number of female staff, many of whom are of child bearing age. Chris is committed to balancing their requirements with the needs of the unit.

“Flexible working arrangements such as compressed hours, where staff work full-time hours over fewer days and part-time working, can impact upon the management of the unit since we are still responsible for providing an excellent service. That said, I do try to make sure that our working environment is as responsive as possible to the needs of staff. I support colleagues returning to work after maternity leave and encourage them to balance work and family life. But it’s important that meeting the needs of the individual is achieved within the context of the service that we are providing.”

As co-director of the unit, Chris can often be found working away on her computer in the evenings, but she advises others in the team to keep an eye on their workload and strive for a balance between the professional and personal.

“That’s part of being a good manager” she said, “Do as I say…not necessarily as I do…although I’m working on it!”

Prof Chris Rogers (3rd left) with staff from the Clinical Trials Unit

More staff profiles