In celebration of this year’s International Women's Day (IWD), the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Manchester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) is excited to release a special podcast in which Professor Sandra Bucci is interviewed by early career researcher Dr Ola Abdelhadi.

Professor Sandra Bucci is the first ever NIHR Research Professor in Digital Mental Health in the UK and a Professor of Clinical Psychology at The University of Manchester. She is an Honorary Consultant Clinical Psychologist at Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMMH) and co-Director of the Complex Trauma and Resilience Research Unit at GMMH. Sandra co-leads the Digital programme of Manchester BRC’s Mental Health Theme and has also been recognised as one of the Top 30 Women in Science by Pharmaceutical Market Europe.

Dr Ola Abdelhadi is an early career researcher and Specialist Registrar in Clinical Genetics, currently doing a PhD in Evolution and Genomic Sciences within the Manchester BRC Rare Conditions Theme.

This interview provides honest insights into both Sandra and Ola’s career journeys to date, discussing both the successes and challenges they have encountered in their fields.

Aimed at empowering and motivating colleagues across the NIHR Manchester BRC and NIHR Manchester Clinical Research Facility (CRF), the podcast offers practical tips and guidance on research and career development and seizing opportunities to ensure your work is recognised and rewarded. The podcast highlights the importance of equality, diversity and inclusion within the research workforce, practice and culture.

International Women's Day (8 March) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women whilst calling for continued positive change. This year’s campaign themes are ‘For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment’ (UN Theme) and ‘Accelerate Action’ (IWD Theme).