{"id":74585,"date":"2025-05-14T15:10:50","date_gmt":"2025-05-14T13:10:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/news\/?p=74585"},"modified":"2025-06-24T14:21:50","modified_gmt":"2025-06-24T12:21:50","slug":"edith-heard-what-ive-learned","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/news\/people-perspectives\/edith-heard-what-ive-learned\/","title":{"rendered":"Edith Heard: what I\u2019ve learned"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
In 2019, EMBL\u2019s first female Director General arrived in Heidelberg with a vision of building on EMBL\u2019s well-known strengths and talented people to establish a societally relevant, increasingly multidisciplinary, cutting-edge programme. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Edith Heard could hardly have known that just a year later, a pandemic would throw a wrench in those plans. However, it would also solidify the direction she hoped to help lead EMBL in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe pandemic threw us \u2013 me \u2013 into the deep end as we grappled with what it means to run an organisation that cannot switch off simply because the rest of the world is switching off,\u201d Heard said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
She led EMBL, with its staff spread over six sites, through rethinking how to be safe while still delivering on its missions where it could. For example, she enabled training teams to figure out how to hold courses and conferences when no one could come in person. She offered leadership and support to services that could and would play a role in the pandemic. She oversaw operational course corrections as a majority of staff worked remotely, nearly 100 % of the time. Simultaneously, she still worked on her plan to bring to life a new EMBL programme that would study \u2018life in context\u2019 and broaden the organisation\u2019s research perspective to include planetary biology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe pandemic forced me to take stock of everything at the same time in a rapid-fire way, so in that sense, I learned about EMBL quite quickly,\u201d she said. \u201cBut it was a distressing time for all of us. This was then immediately followed by a financial crisis, due to the outbreak of war in Ukraine, that further distorted plans.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EMBL overcame the unexpected difficulties and was impressively successful, launching its new programme ‘Molecules to Ecosystems\u2019 and a new era of \u2018One EMBL\u2019. <\/p>\n\n\n\nPhoto from Heard’s inaugural address in 2019. “…my challenge to EMBL was to think out of the box …. It was amazing to see how easily and quickly the most brilliant ideas and science came to be! That is the great power of EMBL: a spirit of creativity, enthusiasm, and collaboration that is natural and easy to spark!” Credit: Kinga Siring\/EMBL<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
In April 2025, Heard began the transition from EMBL to the Francis Crick Institute, which she will be leading as its Director and Chief Executive Officer from September 2025. In a final interview, she talked about her legacy of the \u2018Molecules to Ecosystems\u2019 programme, a \u2018One EMBL\u2019 initiative that continues to encourage collaboration among sites, an increased emphasis on external partnerships, and lessons she\u2019s learned throughout her career, presented here in her own words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An EMBL programme \u2018in context\u2019<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The idea started because I am an epigeneticist,<\/strong> and I think about the interface of genetics and development in the context of the environment. The year before I started at EMBL, I had become very interested in the impact of the environment on biodiversity and realised how little we know at the molecular level about how this happens in nature. So my challenge to EMBL was to think out of the box about this. It was amazing to see how easily and quickly the most brilliant ideas and science came to be! That is the great power of EMBL: a spirit of creativity, enthusiasm, and collaboration that is natural and easy to spark! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Countries are focusing more on their own capabilities.<\/strong> That makes shared scientific infrastructure, like EMBL, even more essential. Pressures on funding and resources across Europe made it even more important for EMBL to create added value in research, services, training, innovation, and collaboration, and to go beyond our known strengths in structural biology, cell biology, genomics, and many other areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EMBL has to be cutting edge.<\/strong> It\u2019s in its DNA. Before I even got here, I was told that EMBL scientists like to think differently. That wasn\u2019t wrong. The \u2018Molecules to Ecosystems\u2019 programme tapped into corners of EMBL that hadn\u2019t always had a voice. That mattered. It was not only about researchers doing excellent work that EMBL was renowned for. It was about everyone \u2014 administrative staff, service teams, users, across all six sites \u2014 having a seat at the table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n“People are EMBL’s magic,” Heard said. And she celebrated that magic with the staff and visitors at EMBL’s 50th anniversary. Credit: Kinga Siring\/EMBL<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
In addition to applying our work to pressing societal problems,<\/strong> I thought our programme should provide opportunities to help the organisation modernise operations through things like digitalisation and sustainability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My biggest legacy is the programme.<\/strong> It\u2019s already had significant impacts, and it has been wonderful to see how widespread brainstorming got distilled into a programme with impacts on the way science is now being done in different parts of Europe. I really believe that EMBL has instigated a new era of European molecular life sciences \u2013 just when it was needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The \u2018Molecules to Ecosystems<\/strong>\u2019<\/em><\/strong> programme has been ambitious.<\/strong> If not for another important initiative under my leadership, \u2018One EMBL\u2019, we wouldn\u2019t have pulled it off. We\u2019d have ended up with less science, less funding, and less interest. \u2018One EMBL\u2019 encourages EMBL\u2019s six sites to think and operate together more closely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Science is always better when it\u2019s bigger and more collaborative.<\/strong> I hope that through \u2018One EMBL\u2019, the organisation has become more united, more inclusive, more collaborative, and more externally facing. Small, subtle changes helped communicate that we are all part of the same organisation. Each EMBL site has its unique specialities and technologies, so they can be much more than the sum of their parts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The programme\u2019s transversal themes encouraged more coordination<\/strong> between sites. Scientists, tech developers, operational and administrative staff began working together much more than before. The pandemic, too, levelled the playing field, as everyone was forced to connect virtually. <\/p>\n\n\n\nA visit in Naples allowed EMBL to show off its Advanced Mobile Lab, which can bring cutting-edge technologies anywhere in Europe, allowing member state scientists to study \u2018life in context.\u2019 Credit: Massimo Del Prete\/EMBL<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
The six sites are both a challenge and an opportunity. <\/strong>It\u2019s hard for a director general to have a \u2018personal touch\u2019 when you can\u2019t be everywhere. Virtual meeting set-ups help, but they aren\u2019t enough to build or sustain connections. Nothing beats sitting down together \u2013 whether it\u2019s writing a grant together or chatting over a coffee or drink. I tried to install as many new mechanisms as possible, the transversal themes being one, to encourage people to work across all of our sites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Science is poorer without this kind of personal connectivity. <\/strong>So, as much as the pandemic levelled the playing field, it had its limits. I wanted to provide a professionally nurturing environment where scientists could be even more creative, more up-to-date, and raise the bar. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Science cannot happen in isolation. <\/strong>The new programme allowed us to collaborate not only internally, but also with member state scientists in the most interdisciplinary and inclusive ways. The transversal themes really helped this, and our flagship project TREC is a perfect example, facilitating new inter-European collaborations that introduced more experts from different countries and areas of science than ever before. I hope this is just the beginning for a more united internal EMBL spirit, as well as an even more outward-facing EMBL. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our relationships with organisations in member states <\/strong>and the European Commission are closer than ever before. I made it a mission to nurture deeper ties in these places. We embarked on several new collaborative projects that allowed us to show up \u2013 physically, tangibly \u2013 in places that matter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some smaller countries especially rely on EMBL<\/strong> for the full spectrum of molecular life science services. We help them do what they couldn\u2019t do alone. That\u2019s an important responsibility. And the bigger countries benefit from the diversity of talent and ideas. EMBL is an accelerator of science for its member states in a multitude of ways, and this is both unique and very precious!<\/p>\n\n\n\nPart of Heard’s vision of reaching out to member states more was realised during TREC events along Europe’s coasts, such as this one in Greece. Alongside Heard are Minister of Development Takis Theodorikakos (on her right) and Deputy Minister of Development, responsible for Research and Innovation Zoe Rapti (on her left). Credit: Kinga Siring\/EMBL<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
The future of EMBL<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
People are EMBL\u2019s magic.<\/strong> EMBL people possess an ever-present, intrinsic creativity. You can go to someone with a problem or a question, and they immediately come up with ideas and solutions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
EMBL possesses contagious pride and excitement.<\/strong> Yes, you can find this elsewhere, too, but I think the nine-year turnover allows enthusiasm to stay fresh. Also, because EMBL provides training and services, not just research, its influence goes beyond just the staff here. When new scientists visit or arrive, you will overhear conversations along the lines of, \u201cLet me show you what my latest technology can do,\u201d and \u201cIf this doesn’t work for you, we\u2019ll find a way to make it work.\u201d Yes, that\u2019s what I\u2019ll miss. Colleagues aren\u2019t just going to show you how something works and walk away. You\u2019re in it together, and there\u2019s an enthusiasm to problem-solve. It\u2019s not just coming up with ideas, but seeing them through and delivering on the proposed solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThere’s a special spirit among the people at EMBL, Heard noted. “I think of someone like Rainer Pepperkok, who could talk about EMBL\u2019s core facilities during a ministerial delegation visit with contagious enthusiasm about how a certain piece of technology worked and what the visitors were witnessing.” Here, Pepperkok is doing exactly that with Jean-Eric Paquet, the Director General for Research and Innovation of the European Commission at the time in 2019. Credit: Marietta Schupp\/EMBL<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
I think EMBL is starting several new scientific journeys. <\/strong>At EMBL, but also among collaborating organisations, I\u2019ve heard excitement for the opportunities moving forward with the \u2018Molecules to Ecosystems\u2019 programme. At the start, people said the programme was so ambitious, it could provide direction for the next 50<\/em> years, not just five. Thinking about life in context will continue. It was an obvious next step to EMBL\u2019s work; many member states are going down this road as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
AI is on the tip of everyone’s tongue.<\/strong> For some time, EMBL scientists have been doing machine learning, computational approaches, and statistical modelling, once again leading the way. A steady flow of new talent puts EMBL in a prime position for leadership. I do feel that the future does lie in a new era of how we do our science \u2013 not just using AI, but developing new, creative ways to harness it.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAn EMBL AI and Life Sciences roundtable brought together high-level representatives from government, industry, and academia to explore how to leverage the power of AI and machine learning for life sciences. Credit: Massimo Del Prete\/EMBL<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
I believe deeply that European science can be at the global forefront right now,<\/strong> and I think EMBL, specifically, is in a good place to do it. But it needs a scientist at the helm \u2013 one whose outlook is global and visionary. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Life and career lessons<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
My PhD supervisor said to me, \u201cEdith, everyone needs mentors,<\/strong> especially women scientists. Probably more than men. So, make it your business to always have mentors around you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On a subconscious level, I took this to heart <\/strong>and always found myself surrounded by trusted people whom I respected and felt comfortable asking questions \u2013 as scientists and as human beings. Throughout my career, that has been vital to getting through some of the most difficult moments, whether scientific or overseeing the \u2018business\u2019 of science. That\u2019s probably the best bit of advice I got as a female scientist who went on to become a science leader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No matter how challenging it can be to fit it all in as a leader <\/strong>of a research organisation, you still need to do your own science. It keeps you connected so you can relate to what’s happening. Science moves so fast now \u2013 especially in life sciences \u2013 that you can very rapidly disconnect. My lab has provided both a sanity check and a creative outlet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our profession still has a way to go in its support for women<\/strong> and other underrepresented populations. But science is also mirroring what\u2019s going on in the rest of society. We talk about the glass ceiling, but the challenge goes beyond breaking glass. There\u2019s another, less talked about challenge that exists in the culture \u2013 even once you’ve gone through the glass \u2013 and this has to do with the receptiveness to female leaders\u2019 leadership. Earning respect, trust, and support to lead effectively takes longer and is more arduous for women. <\/p>\n\n\n\n“No matter how challenging it can be to fit it all in as a leader of a research organisation, you still need to do your own science. It keeps you connected so you can relate to what’s happening,” Heard said. “Science moves so fast now \u2013 especially in life sciences \u2013 that you can very rapidly disconnect. My lab has provided both a sanity check and creative outlet.” Credit: Fondation L\u2019Or\u00e9al<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
The advice I give young scientists is to resist the naysayers.<\/strong> If you think a research path is worth exploring, follow it. Don\u2019t be distracted by those who say you shouldn\u2019t or can\u2019t go in a certain research direction. Many people will tell you what is expected<\/em> and \u2018how things are done\u2019, so we have to believe in ourselves. That\u2019s an important lesson to learn. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
An EMBL Director General moves on<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nTREC became a flagship project for the new planetary biology transversal theme, with the Tara Ocean Foundation being a key partner. Among Heard’s many visits to Tara’s ports of call was this one in Rome, where EMBL held community outreach events in addition to doing field sampling. Credit: Massimo del Prete\/EMBL<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Getting to know EMBL at many different levels mattered to me<\/strong>. The \u2018Meet the DG\u2019 sessions and visits to the different sites helped me meet people across the whole organisation, but it never felt like I had enough personal contact during my time here, particularly during the pandemic years. So, I\u2019ll leave EMBL feeling like I would have liked to spend more time with so many people here. The Crick \u2013 especially since it\u2019s all in one location \u2013 should allow for much more in-person engagement, and I\u2019m determined to get to know people to hear about what they see as priorities and opportunities. I want to get to know people better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I wasn’t thinking I would take on another big leadership position<\/strong>, but, honestly, life surprises, and this was a very special opportunity as a last step in my career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The experience leading EMBL has been multi-dimensional.<\/strong> I\u2019ll be returning to the United Kingdom and the city where I was born and raised, to an institute where I did my PhD. But now I return with international and multidisciplinary experience and many contacts and bridges, thanks to my EMBL experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I’m looking ahead, but I’m also not one of these scientists who wants to stay on forever.<\/strong> I do actually intend to retire. I think it’s healthy for people to move on, and I’m happy to go to the Crick, help move things forward, have a good time scientifically, but also retire when the time is right. I have a whole list of things I want to do when I retire.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Edith Heard was EMBL\u2019s fifth Director General, but is now moving on to serve as the Francis Crick Institute’s Director and Chief Executive Officer. Here, she reflects on her time at EMBL and lessons learned throughout the years.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":100,"featured_media":59841,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[17593],"tags":[511,512,17683],"embl_taxonomy":[3722,18895,19281],"class_list":["post-74585","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-people-perspectives","tag-director-general","tag-heard","tag-what-ive-learned","embl_taxonomy-about-embl","embl_taxonomy-edith-heard","embl_taxonomy-heard-group-visiting"],"acf":{"vfwp-news_embl_taxonomy":[18895,19281,3722],"featured":true,"show_featured_image":false,"field_target_display":"embl","field_article_language":{"value":"english","label":"English"},"article_intro":"
Departing Director General reflects on legacy, leadership, and the power of connection<\/p>\n","related_links":[{"link_description":"Professor Edith Heard appointed new Director and Chief Executive of the Francis Crick Institute ","link_url":"https:\/\/www.crick.ac.uk\/news\/2024-07-09_professor-edith-heard-appointed-new-director-and-chief-executive-of-the-francis-crick-institute"},{"link_description":"The scientific origins of Edith Heard ","link_url":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/news\/science\/scientific-origins-edith-heard\/"},{"link_description":"Edith Heard starts as Director General of EMBL ","link_url":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/news\/lab-matters\/edith-heard-starts-as-director-general-of-embl\/"}],"source_article":false,"in_this_article":false,"press_contact":"None","article_translations":false,"languages":""},"embl_taxonomy_terms":[{"uuid":"a:2:{i:0;s:36:\"302cfdf7-365b-462a-be65-82c7b783ebf7\";i:1;s:36:\"bc1eaadd-1f50-4140-8e9b-e58fc33a39fc\";}","parents":[],"name":["About EMBL"],"slug":"about-embl","description":"What > About EMBL"},{"uuid":"a:2:{i:0;s:36:\"4428d1fd-441a-4d6d-a1c5-5dcf5665f213\";i:1;s:36:\"6b6ceb6d-6607-4a0d-9ca7-800e9c158d61\";}","parents":[],"name":["Edith Heard"],"slug":"edith-heard","description":"Who > Edith Heard","deprecated":true},{"uuid":"a:3:{i:0;s:36:\"302cfdf7-365b-462a-be65-82c7b783ebf7\";i:1;s:36:\"6c3125e7-cd51-4991-af2d-d5f97e57a845\";i:2;s:36:\"8eb9ee1d-925f-47ee-9107-7286caf9af5e\";}","parents":[],"name":["Heard Group (Visiting)"],"slug":"heard-group-visiting","description":"What > Directors' research > Heard Group (Visiting)"}],"yoast_head":"\n
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