Liane Siu Slaughter

Dr. Liane Siu Slaughter, a multinational polymath with a Ph.D. in chemistry, shares her compelling story of stepping away from traditional academia to forge her own unique career path. Having worked as a scientific researcher across three continents, Liane made the bold decision to leave the academic ladder behind and pursue work that better served science, people, and herself. In this talk, Liane offers an insider’s perspective on the colorful world of PhD life and academia, revealing the challenges and revelations that shaped her unconventional journey. She discusses how mentors influenced every step of her career—sometimes too much—and shares the key lesson she learned the hard way: when she became a mentor herself, simply mimicking previous mentors didn’t work. Now thriving as a freelance tutor, science writer, and career coach, Liane helps fellow scientists reach their academic and career goals while staying true to their own voices. She also organizes Conscious Dance events in Hong Kong, where she’s developed self-expression and leadership skills she wishes she had learned earlier in her scientific career. This candid talk explores the tension between following established paths and listening to your inner voice, offering valuable insights for anyone navigating their own career decisions in academia and beyond.