Graduate profiles
PhD study builds a range of key transferable skills, from the ability to carry out independent and original research, to the ability to present your research in a variety of academic and professional contexts.
PhD Student Profiles
Doing a PhD as a published author:
James Aitcheson, Creative Writing PhD (graduated 2021), discusses studying for his PhD as a published author.
From undergraduate to PhD study:
Gemma Edwards (graduated 2021) on her experience of PhD study after completing her undergraduate and MA degrees with us.
Applying for PhD funding:
Colette Davies, English PhD (graduated 2022), discusses her Midlands4Cities Doctoral Training Programme funding.
Completing a PhD and work placement:
Josh Neal (graduated 2023) discusses his placement at the Staffordshire Record Office and how it helps with his research.
Jennifer Sanchez-Davies
Graduated 2017
My time at the School of English, both as a distance-learning MA student and a Midlands3Cities PhD student, has been brilliant.My MA inspired me to move to Nottingham to pursue a PhD in 2013 and I haven’t looked back since.
The community in the school is unbeatable; the support, willingness to listen and advise, and inspirational enthusiasm from my peers and colleagues has been superb. The experience I have gained from the networks and opportunities offered at Nottingham have given me an invaluable skillset that has set me up for life in academia.
Since finishing my PhD I have worked at the School as a Research Affiliate and in the School of English Research and Management office. My current research concerns language and epilepsy and is fuelled by my research experience at Nottingham which has given me the confidence to explore new areas and establish new networks.
Teva Vidal
Graduated 2013
I came to Nottingham to pursue my passion for the study of the Viking Age. I'd have to say that my time spent here for my doctoral studies was among the most positive experiences of my life, both professionally and personally.
The excellent guidance and support of my professors and peers introduced me to a vast new world where I could expand my academic interests, and also engage with vibrant international research networks. I was also given the opportunity to teach at undergraduate level.
I am currently a Sessional Lecturer in Medieval History at the University of Ottawa and my experience at Nottingham was a great asset in helping me secure this position. I have been able to make a truly original contribution to Ottawa's repertoire thanks to the unique set of knowledge and skills I acquired at Nottingham.
Daniel Weston
Graduated 2012
After graduating from Nottingham I took up my first full-time lectureship at the University of Hull. My experiences at Nottingham really stood me in good stead for this next step in my academic career.
The skills I developed there have informed all of my research to date. The postgraduate teaching fellowship that I held whilst completing my doctoral studies allowed me to build a strong basis of hands-on experience.
In my engagement with my own students, I now try to emulate the excellent supervision that I benefited from at Nottingham.
Dawn Knight
Graduated 2009
The research experience I gained through the Centre for Research in Applied Linguistics (CRAL) was incredibly useful in helping me to establish a research identity, and also in getting published early on in my academic career.
This experience has helped in finding a full-time lecturing position, and my ongoing connections with CRAL continue to feed into my development as a researcher and academic.
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