Top PI: Roger Kneebone, a man of many parts

Former surgeon and GP Roger Kneebone has built a second career in research, surgical education and public engagement. He tells Adam Smith how he became an expert grant-writer.

What’s your advice to early career scientists applying for their first grant?

My primary field is in surgical education and it’s always been a problem getting funding because it’s not always clear where the funding comes from. If you are looking for the gene for blindness, it’s much clearer where you sit. While in education it’s often clearer what to do, you have fewer options and the research councils are really tough nuts to crack at the moment because of the financial climate. I think the main thing is to make sure you know absolutely what it is they’re looking for and that you’ve read all the info about the call. You’d be amazed how many people don’t do that because they think their idea is just great.