With Dr Joanna Denbigh‏ and panelist Dr Pat Troop CBE

I was thrilled to have been invited to the ‘Celebrating Inspiring Women at Manchester’ event on International Women’s Day, 8th March 2017. The informal discussions touched on some interesting questions in Life Sciences, public health and communications. It was also a great opportunity to meet and mingle with women (and men) to reflect on progress made and the challenges ahead for everyone!

More about this and other interesting perspectives to be found here…

Dr Julie Charlesworth

Dr Julie Charlesworth at MedComms Networking Meeting

In an effort to save my laptop (which was successful) I fell awkwardly and ended up with a broken fibula – on reflection not worth the pain. Anyway, I still managed to get to a MedComms Networking event a few days later. Publishing, Medical Writing and Authorship’ Dec 8th – a very worthwhile meeting for keeping up to date and sharing latest thoughts on transparency. As always it was a great opportunity to catch up with friends and colleagues. Not quite the ‘designer boot’ I was wanting from Santa Ho Ho Ho

EMWA Freelance Advocate, Dr Julie Charlesworth, introduces Marco Torregrossa, Secretary General at the European Forum of Independent Professionals, to Abraham Shevack, Vice President of EMWA (European Medical Writers Association)

Dr Julie Charlesworth introducing Marco Torregrossa, Secretary General at the European Forum of Independents Professionals, to the Freelance Business Forum

Just to share, in the moment, the exhilarating experience of the freelance (FL) sessions. More information and photos to come.
Meanwhile…

As the EMWA Freelance Advocate I was the driving force behind the introduction of a new initiative for freelancers (FLs): an interactive IT, social media and productivity tools session – Show IT, Share IT, Rise and Shine. Thank you to the Table Leaders and all participants in this trial run. A great success!

When our Freelancers have good ideas, as their Freelance Advocate, I make it happen for them.

An extended Freelance Business Forum (FBF) took place in the evening.
I presented updates on the evolution of the FBF and related activities. FBF initiatives are really taking off! We have been busy – great progress in many different areas.

I was delighted that Marco Torregrossa, Secretary General at the European Forum for Independent Professionals, accepted my invitation to be our FBF guest speaker. Marco gave an inspiring and informative presentation. A lively question period ensued. Marco stayed on for our Table discussions to learn more about freelancing in our profession, enabling him to take into account the challenges that our FLs encounter, when he contributes to policy development at the European level.

The Table discussion period – goes from strength to strength. Thank you to Table Leaders. This session works so well – discussion of hot topics and frank, open and productive exchanges between FLs. It was a stimulating and friendly networking environment.

Special thanks to the conference organising teams and AV support.

Next EMWA conference – Birmingham, May 2017