Interview with: Elizabeth Gibbons, MSc
Evidera (Thermo Fischer Scientific PPD Development)
Elizabeth Gibbons, MSc, has been active in ISOQOL for many years and most recently served on the ISOQOL Board of Directors from 2021 to 2024. With her term as a Director-at-Large having concluded following the 2024 Annual Conference, ISOQOL would like to thank Ms. Gibbons for her involvement and dedication to the Society.
In an interview with QualityTALK, the past Director-at-Large talks about her experience with the Society and lets members get to know her better.
Can you tell a little about your journey to becoming an ISOQOL board member?
Elizabeth Gibbons (EG): As a long-standing member, I have over the years been involved in several scientific activities such as conference abstract reviewing, participated in Special Interest Group endeavours, and supported proposal development for Measuring What Matters symposium. I also served on the scholarship committee and participated in the mentor/mentee programme as a mentee and mentor. As co-founder of the UK and Ireland SIG, and Co-Chair, this experience not only gave me an opportunity to collaborate with my colleagues but gave me insights into the operational aspects of ISOQOL. With all these activities, I felt the next step was board membership.
What does serving on the ISOQOL Board of Directors mean to you?
EG: I was incredibly fortunate to join the board during the development of the 5-year strategy which was such an interesting process. Being a member of the board was an experience that has enabled me to feel fully integrated into the ISOQOL community and have a greater understanding of the business infrastructure of the organization.
How long have you been a member of ISOQOL and why did you join?
EG: I attended the 14th Annual Conference Health related QOL research: From measurement to understanding, October 2007, Toronto and have been a member since, attending almost all conferences.
What is your favorite thing about ISOQOL?
EG: Networking, developing collaborations, and an opportunity for focused deliberations and discussions, but also the development of lifelong friendships.
What would you say to other professionals who may be considering becoming an ISOQOL member?
EG: I encourage attendance to the Annual Conference of course but also highlight the benefits and opportunities of being an ISOQOL member. Three key things: opportunity to network and collaborate, learning and sharing of research, involvement in Special Interest Group activities.
What member benefits do you value and use the most?
EG: There are so many benefits to membership, but it is the connections that you make during conference activities.
What do you love most about HRQL research?
EG: I have worked in HRQL research for over 20 years now and am still passionate about capturing what is important to patients in terms of their experiences of health conditions and impact on their lives. Engaging with patients either as participants in our research or as patient partners, is very grounding and heart-warming.
What’s your biggest (or one of your biggest) professional accomplishment(s) so far?
EG: I view all my professional accomplishments as collective and collaborative. I am a sum of many parts.
What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever received?
EG: It’s ok to take risks and change direction in your career. I am in my third trimester of my career: a paediatric nurse, academic researcher, and now research consultancy.
What’s one thing you learned in the last month?
EG: How to ask for directions to the shops in Spanish!
What’s something about you (a fun fact) that not many people know?
EG: I sing in a choir and last year we got through the final of Britain’s Got Talent—we didn’t win but it was huge fun! #northantssingsout
What’s one of your favorite ISOQOL memories?
EG: I think it was my first conference attendance and meeting people face to face that I only knew as authors before! I was like a rabbit/deer in headlights!
This newsletter editorial represents the views of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of ISOQOL.
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The International Society for Quality of Life Research (ISOQOL) is a global community of researchers, clinicians, health care professionals, industry professionals, consultants, and patient research partners advancing health related quality of life research (HRQL).
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