Post by The Lister Institute of Preventive Medicine

Behind every success in research is a story we try to ignore: rejection. In our latest blog (link in comments), Lister-funded researchers Tim Blower (Durham University) and Christopher Stewart (Newcastle University) reflect on how setbacks shaped their careers. Tim vividly recalls the pain, that feeling of pouring so much into an application, only to be left empty handed. "Early on in my career, it was utterly crushing," he says. Grant refusals, paper reviews, missed opportunities are all part of the journey. But we need to talk about this more. Repost now and add your own story to the conversation. 🔄 🔬 Rejection is a universal experience in research. 🔬 It can sharpen ideas and strengthen future work. 🔬 Resilience is built over time, not overnight. 🔬 Support networks and perspective make a difference. It's tough out there, but not all rejection is doom and gloom. "Rejection isn’t failure - it's part of the process of doing meaningful science,” Chris reflects. This open and honest piece offers a powerful reminder that rejection is painful and resilience is an essential survival skill. But who has a duty of care? 💬 How have you experienced rejection in your career? What did you learn from it? Share your thoughts below. Follow the Lister Institute for more stories from our community of biomedical research leaders.