Thank you to our BASES volunteers

The second article of the week highlights more BASES volunteers’ profiles as we look to celebrate National Volunteers’ Week. To view the first article, please click here.

Dr Mark Faghy, Senior Lecturer in Exercise Physiology at the University of Derby

Your role at BASES: Deputy Chair (Physiology and Nutrition Division), COVID-19 SIG member,Public and External Affairs Advisory Panel Member, Supervised Experience (SE) Supervisor and Reviewer and Accredited member.

Why you chose to offer your time and expertise to volunteer with BASES: BASES has always been good to me; through my continuing development, BASES has provided me with support and guidance from undergraduate all the way through to a Senior Lecturer. I’ve always enjoyed engaging with BASES and being supported and now also supporting members.

What you have got out of being a volunteer for BASES: Professionally, BASES has enabled me to grow my network nationally, it has opened doors and allowed me to create strong collaborative partnerships. More recently, BASES has also given me the chance to extend my leadership and supervisory experience through my various roles on committees and through the SE process.

Lucinda Abell, MSc Sport and Exercise Science and Physiology at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU)

Your role at BASES: Student member of the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Group

Why you chose to offer your time and expertise to volunteer with BASES: It was my first lecturer contact at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) who introduced me to BASES (BASES accredited Dr Georgina Stebbings). She encouraged me, and my cohort, to become student members. On doing so, I immediately gleaned essential scientific information and conversation around empirical evidence concerning matters, which are current and important in Sport and Exercise Science. I am extremely passionate about progressing equity, diversity and inclusion. It has been at the forefront of my applied practice as a personal trainer and group exercise instructor. In particular, teaching with inclusion and differentiation, were essential in mine and my colleagues lectures when I worked as an Associate Lecturer at MMU. Due to this, when I saw the invitation to apply for the postgraduate student member position on the BASES EDI Advisory Group, I applied without hesitation, knowing this would make a meaningful difference in EDI.

What you have got out of being a volunteer for BASES: I feel without doubt that we are at the forefront of driving change and continuing progression in EDI, which is extremely important to me. Knowing I can make a difference to the Sport and Exercise Science community and Sport and Exercise Science students’ university lives, education and ongoing professional accreditation experience, is extremely fulfilling. This in turn will ensure we provide opportunities for the greatest diversity of talent, regardless of circumstance or background.

By seeking opportunities for self-development through BASES, it has helped me expand my relationships with established academics and applied practitioners. This has been crucial in developing my leadership skills and my transition into industry. Specifically, this will enable me to find the best fit supervisor and PhD, and eventually my aspirational career roles.

Dr Lindsay Bottoms FBASES, Reader in Exercise and Health Physiology and Head of Centre for Research in Psychology and Sports Science at the University of Hertfordshire

Your role at BASES: Deputy Chair for the Physical Activity for Health Division and member of the Expert Statement Advisory Group

Why you chose to offer your time and expertise to volunteer with BASES: I like to volunteer as much as I can in both sport and work related. I like meeting likeminded people.

What you have got out of being a volunteer for BASES: It is good for the CV and career progression to be involved with BASES. I have also got to meet lots of lovely colleagues and increased my networking.

Dr Andy Smith. MBE, FBASES, unattached

Your role at BASES Convenor of the COVID-19 Special Interest Group and Co-Author of three submissions to Parliamentary Select Committees on behalf of the Association.

Why you chose to offer your time and expertise to volunteer with BASES: To give something back to the Profession and Discipline which has given me so much.

What you have got out of being a volunteer for BASES: The opportunity to work with some very talented and inspiring people who want to make the world a better place.

The success of BASES relies heavily on members engaging and volunteering across a breadth of activities. As such, the Board wholeheartedly thanks those members who have selflessly contributed their time, energy, and expertise to the Association.

There are various ways you can get involved as a BASES volunteer. Please keep an eye out on the various communication channels for as and when such opportunities arise.