60 Seconds With...Demelza Abbott-Scott

Demelza Abbott-Scott is Development Executive for Neuroscience and Brain Health. She is a member of the Development and Alumni Engagement team.

Tell us a little about yourself, and what attracted you to working at the University of Oxford?  

I first arrived in Oxford as an undergraduate to study English Language and Literature. I felt so lucky to be here and loved the course (the “long 18^th century” in particular) and the whole student experience. Although I had never planned to stay at Oxford long term, I found I couldn’t pull myself away and fortunately jobs came up which allow me to fundraise for this remarkable institution. It is such a beautiful place to be and I am surrounded by interesting people doing amazing things, so I still feel very lucky to be here.

What is your vision for the project you work with?

As a fundraiser, the ideal vision is for philanthropy, alongside other key funding streams like research grants, to meet every funding need in Brain Health;  for all those with the skills and ambition to study at Oxford to be able to do so without financial concerns, and for fundamental and pioneering research to proceed without being limited by lack of funds, so we can reach solutions and treatments for brain and mental illnesses, like dementia and depression, that affect all of us one way or another. Needless to say, we are working very hard on this! 

What is currently at the top of your To-Do List?

Being fairly new in post, I’m currently trying to meet as many people and absorb as much information as I can about all the work going on in Psychiatry and Brain Health.  I think that will be on my to-do list for a while!

How did you get to where you are today?

My first job after graduating was in Guest Services at the Ashmolean and then Evening Events. It was there that I first became properly aware of how much can be achieved by philanthropy. My first fundraising role was as the Development Assistant at St Hilda’s College, then on to Development Officer before joining the MPLS fundraising team and now Medical Sciences. Although this feels very far removed from English Literature, my degree still helps me every day and I love learning and being exposed to new things.

Who or what inspires you?

A large part of why I do this job is because I am inspired by people who choose to donate their own money to further research that benefits everyone. I am also inspired by those who doggedly pursue their lines of inquiry and dedicate their lives to finding answers to the world’s problems. 

If you were not in your job currently, what would you like to be doing?

Either running a small bakery/library/craft shop, or visiting somewhere very cold and mountainous.