2016, Social Media Nostalgia and Some Career Reflections
21st January 2026
If you have spent any time scrolling through social media recently, you’ve probably seen people claiming that 2026 is basically 2016 all over again. Old photos, questionable fashion choices and reminders of a time when social media felt a bit less polished. Whilst I have enjoyed looking back at photos from travelling in Borneo for my 30th birthday, this trend has also made me pause and think about where I was professionally back then.
In 2016, I was finishing my PhD, trying to understand why antibiotics were used the way they were in pig production, whilst also working as a Veterinary Manager at AHDB Pork. This was an intense year but one where I was excited to join the Pig Health and Welfare Council antibiotic subgroup on the ‘expert’ side. It was a busy chaotic time, but also an exciting one. Antimicrobial resistance was firmly on the radar, and there was a growing recognition that vets, farmers, industry and regulators all had a role to play.
Fast forward to now, and my career has taken me through research, teaching, government policy at Defra, project managing the Farm Vet Champions antimicrobial stewardship platform at RCVS Knowledge, and on to NOAH. These days, I spend much of my time working on animal health policy around antimicrobial resistance, One Health, anthelmintic resistance and disease control.
What struck me about the 2016 throwback trend is how much people seem to be craving something more real. In policy work, that really resonates. Progress on antimicrobial use policy hasn’t come from glossy slogans or quick wins, but from honest conversations, shared responsibility and long-term industry commitment. At NOAH, working with members and stakeholders across the sector, that collaborative approach is key to all areas of animal health policy.
So no, I won’t be bringing back my 2016 wardrobe anytime soon. But if this trend is a reminder to keep things human, transparent and rooted in real-world experience, that’s definitely something worth hanging on to – in social media and animal health policy alike.