📝 Anthropometrist’s Reflections: Alice Bullas – from Hallam to Hawai’i – Week 3

This summer (August 2026) I (Alice Bullas) am undertaking an international research secondment at the John A. Shepherd Research Laboratory within the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center. Supported by my UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Future Leaders Fellowship. This is blog 4 of 6. For more background content please see my introductory blog (blog 1 of this series).

Week 3: Learning Beyond the Research

As my third week in Hawaiʻi comes to a close, I have found myself reflecting less on individual projects and more on what it means to be a researcher, collaborator and leader.

When I arrived, I expected the secondment to be primarily about learning new methods, technologies and approaches to body composition research. Those elements remain an important part of the experience, but increasingly the most valuable lessons are emerging from conversations, observations and reflections on how research itself is organised.

One recurring theme this week was the importance of boundaries, regulations and systems. Early in the week, a promising publication opportunity raised questions about visa requirements and what activities I am permitted to undertake while in the United States. Although frustrating, it served as a reminder that good research depends not only on great ideas, but also on operating responsibly within the systems that govern international collaboration.

Perhaps surprisingly, artificial intelligence played an important role in that lesson. While AI tools are often discussed in terms of improving efficiency, this week highlighted their ability to challenge assumptions and force difficult decisions. Being told “no” by an AI system was not something I particularly enjoyed, but it reinforced the value of compliance and accountability.

The week also provided opportunities to think deeply about anthropometry. Discussions around tape measurement techniques, standardisation and methodological practice once again demonstrated how many seemingly simple measurement questions remain unanswered. Some of the most interesting research ideas emerge not from advanced technology, but from fundamental questions about how and why measurements are performed.

Another area of learning came from observing research culture and leadership. Conversations with colleagues highlighted different ways of developing researchers. One approach that particularly resonated was the expectation that students contribute actively to grant development and broader research activities alongside their individual projects. It encouraged me to think about how we prepare future researchers not only as scientists, but also as leaders, collaborators and innovators.

As the secondment progresses, I have become increasingly aware of the importance of relationships. Publications, analyses and technical skills are all valuable outcomes, but long-term collaborations may prove to be the most significant legacy of the placement. Many of my reflections this week centred on how to maintain these connections, support future exchanges and create opportunities that extend beyond this visit.

Beyond work, the placement has also prompted reflection on family life and academic travel. Watching my children experience Hawaiʻi, seeing them adapt to new environments and imagining how they might engage with future academic opportunities has been unexpectedly rewarding. It has encouraged me to think differently about how family and research can coexist.

The final days of the secondment are now approaching. There is a growing sense of urgency to complete projects, consolidate learning and capture opportunities before returning home. At the same time, I am increasingly conscious that some of the most valuable outcomes will only become apparent after I return to Sheffield and begin applying what I have learned.

If the first two weeks were about arriving and adapting, week three has been about understanding. Understanding how research is organised, how collaborations develop, how expertise is positioned internationally and how professional growth often happens through reflection as much as action.

As I move into the final phase of the placement, my focus is shifting from learning in the moment to ensuring that learning creates lasting impact.

28 August 20263 September 2026

📝 Anthropometrist’s Reflections: Alice Bullas – from Hallam to Hawai’i – Week 2

This summer (August 2026) I (Alice Bullas) am undertaking an international research secondment at the John A. Shepherd Research Laboratory within the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center. Supported by my UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Future Leaders Fellowship. This is blog 3 of 6. For more background content please see my introductory blog (blog 1 of this series).

Week 2: Learning Through Research, Collaboration and Reflection in Hawaiʻi

As I move into the second week of my secondment in Hawaiʻi, I am becoming increasingly aware that the most valuable aspects of the experience extend well beyond learning specific measurement techniques or research methods. While those elements remain important, this week has highlighted the value of stepping outside familiar environments and viewing established ways of working through a different lens.

One of the highlights of the week was spending time in the laboratory observing participant testing and data collection. It was fascinating to see a range of technologies being used together to explore human health, body composition and physiological characteristics. Watching different approaches in practice encouraged me to think more broadly about how various measurement methods can complement one another and contribute to answering complex research questions.

Experiences like these are particularly valuable because they provide opportunities to compare approaches, explore alternative perspectives and reflect on the reasoning that underpins different methodologies. In research, there is often more than one way to tackle a challenge, and seeing those variations first-hand helps broaden our understanding of both the strengths and limitations of our own practices.

Alongside laboratory observations, much of the week was devoted to developing existing research projects and exploring new ideas. A conversation about anthropometric measurement challenges led me down an unexpected path, eventually developing into a draft protocol for a Delphi study. What began as a relatively small methodological question quickly revealed larger issues around consistency, guidance and consensus within practice.

These moments have reminded me how often research opportunities emerge from everyday conversations. Some of the most interesting projects do not begin with a grand proposal. Instead, they grow from practical questions that researchers encounter while working in the field or the laboratory.

The secondment has also provided dedicated space to make progress on several manuscripts and ongoing projects. Time away from normal routines can create valuable opportunities to revisit work that has been sitting on a to-do list for months. During the week I was able to advance a number of writing projects and continue exploring questions around anthropometric databases, digital human modelling and body shape research.

A recurring theme has been the growing role of artificial intelligence within academic workflows. Using AI tools to support editing, organisation and manuscript development has reinforced my view that these technologies can be powerful research assistants when combined with subject expertise and critical thinking. They can accelerate tasks and reduce administrative burden, but they work best when guided by strong domain knowledge and careful judgement.

The week has also encouraged me to reflect on research culture, collaboration and leadership. Spending time in a different institution naturally prompts comparisons, not in terms of identifying what is better or worse, but in understanding how different environments support researchers, organise activities and build collaborative relationships. These observations have given me plenty of ideas to bring back to Sheffield and consider within my own practice.

One lesson I continue to relearn is the importance of focus. Being surrounded by new ideas, people and opportunities is energising, but it also creates a temptation to pursue everything at once. Some of my most productive moments this week came when I identified a clear priority and concentrated on moving it forward rather than switching continually between tasks.

Outside work, I am gradually becoming more familiar with life in Hawaiʻi itself. Even simple routines such as travelling to work, exploring the local area and experiencing a different pace of life contribute to the overall secondment experience. They provide useful context for understanding the environment in which colleagues live and work, and they have helped make the experience feel increasingly immersive.

As I look ahead to the coming weeks, I am hoping to build on the connections I have started to develop, gain further insight into ongoing research activities and continue progressing several key outputs. Most importantly, I want to make the most of the opportunity to learn from talented researchers whose perspectives and experiences differ from my own.

One of the greatest benefits of any secondment is that it creates space to step back from established routines and see familiar challenges from a fresh perspective. This week has been a reminder that professional development often comes not only from what we learn, but from how we learn it, who we learn it from, and the questions we ask along the way.

21 August 202610 August 2026

📝 Anthropometrist’s Reflections: Alice Bullas – from Hallam to Hawai’i – Week 1

This summer (August 2026) I (Alice Bullas) am undertaking an international research secondment at the John A. Shepherd Research Laboratory within the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center. Supported by my UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Future Leaders Fellowship. This is blog 3 of 8. For more background content please see my introductory blog (blog 1 of this series).

Week 1: Finding Common Challenges and New Perspectives

When I arrived in Hawai’i for my secondment, I expected to spend much of my time learning about new technologies, research methods and ways of working. My first week has certainly delivered that, but it has also highlighted the value of seeing familiar challenges through a different lens.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of the week has been meeting colleagues from a wide range of professional backgrounds. Conversations have ranged from clinical practice and medical imaging to nutrition, body composition and public health. Spending time with researchers whose expertise differs from my own has provided new perspectives on many of the questions that we face in anthropometry and body composition research.

A particular highlight was visiting the body composition laboratory and learning more about the technologies used to assess infants, children and adults. Seeing their approaches first-hand prompted numerous discussions about data collection, participant experience and the practical realities of working with different populations. It was striking how many of the methodological challenges we encounter in the UK are also being addressed here. Whether the topic was 3D scanning, body composition assessment or the development of prediction models, many of the same questions arose.

One lesson that has emerged repeatedly is the value of collaboration. The research landscape can sometimes feel highly specialised, but spending time with colleagues here has reinforced how much progress depends on sharing experiences, comparing approaches and learning from one another. Several discussions this week generated ideas that I would not have reached independently and highlighted opportunities for future collaboration.

Alongside these conversations, I have begun work on a project exploring anthropometry guidance and training materials. Reviewing existing resources has helped me think more broadly about how we support researchers and practitioners who are either new to anthropometry or looking to apply it in different settings. The process has already generated ideas that could have value well beyond the specific aims of the secondment.

The week also provided a useful reminder of the importance of communication and knowledge exchange. Attending student presentations and speaking with researchers across different disciplines highlighted the breadth of work taking place within the institution. It has encouraged me to think more creatively about how we communicate anthropometry research and how we make specialist knowledge more accessible to wider audiences.

Away from the specific projects, one of the benefits of spending time in a different research environment is the opportunity to reflect on my own practice. Observing different organisational structures, research priorities and working approaches inevitably prompts comparisons with home. Rather than identifying a single best way of doing things, the experience has reinforced that strong research is often built upon diverse skills, perspectives and experiences.

I am particularly conscious that this opportunity has only been possible because of my UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship. The fellowship was designed to support ambitious research and leadership development, and this secondment is providing exactly that. Having the opportunity to spend time in a world-leading research environment, learn from colleagues with different expertise, and build international connections is a genuine privilege. I am extremely grateful for the support that has made this possible and determined to make the most of every opportunity during my time here. My aim is not only to strengthen my own knowledge and skills, but also to bring lessons, collaborations and ideas back to benefit colleagues, students and research activities in the UK.

Looking ahead, I am keen to build on the connections made during this first week, continue developing the anthropometry guidance work and explore additional opportunities for collaboration. I am particularly interested in learning more about infant body composition assessment and understanding how emerging technologies might strengthen anthropometric practice in the future.

Week one has been a week of listening, learning and making connections. Although there is still much to explore, it has already demonstrated the value of stepping outside familiar surroundings and engaging with a different research community. I am looking forward to seeing where the next few weeks lead.