Month: October 2020

Hi I’m Dr Fiona Holmes, a Lecturer in Translational Health Sciences (THS), Bristol Medical School, Faculty of Health Sciences. I’m involved in teaching across the PGT programmes in THS and I’m Co-Director of MSc Perfusion Science and MRes Health Sciences Research. Part of my role is a research ‘match-maker’ ensuring students have research projects and supervisors best suited to their particular interests.  

Tell us about your journey into academia… 

I knew I wanted to do medical research from an early age – I always found science more interesting than any other subject at school and I was lucky to have some inspirational role models: my mum worked in a hematology lab from age 16 – she gave up her job when she had kids but often talked about how much she enjoyed it. I also had great chemistry and biology teachers in secondary school who were very encouraging. I’ve never had a rigid long-term career plan but have made the most of opportunities that have come my way.

I studied Biochemistry – I thought that would give me a solid foundation to go in a number of different directions. During my degree I did a year working for a pharmaceutical company which made me realise I preferred academia! I got lucky with my final year undergraduate project – it worked well and I got some cool data – that was me really hooked and so I carried on to a PhD in the same lab (University of Kent) working on the neuronal cytoskeleton. I came to Bristol for my first job and have never left! Over the last five years or so I’ve made the transition from lab bench to lecture room and I hope I can pass on my enthusiasm for research to the next generation!  

 

What tips do you have for prospective postgraduate students? 

Have some idea (however vague at this stage) of where you’d like to be in five years time. Keep your eye on the prize. Know what you really enjoy and what you don’t. Know your strengths and weaknesses. Be true to yourself. This will help you ask the right questions of us to allow you to make an informed decision. It sounds obvious but make sure your choice of subject and university suits you and your aims. 

 

What’s your experience of events at Bristol? 

I’ve been involved in loads of events over lots of years – they are the best opportunity for you to see what you’re letting yourselves in for. Students will have different needs, expectations and questions and the best way for us to answer your individual specific queries is for you to come along and ask us! 

 

Do you have any advice for how prospective students can make the most of the events? 

Do a bit of prep – this is a big (and expensive!) decision. Take a good look at the resources available – particularly the short videos of each programme which give an overview of the courses from a student’s perspective. Write yourself a list of questions. Come and talk to us. 

 

What kind of things can students ask you? 

Anything you want really – there’s no such thing as a stupid question! Programme structure, content, types and amount of teaching and assessment, career prospects, research projects… 

A two-way conversation is the best way to get all the info you need. I need to know what you need to know!   

 

Why is it important to attend the events? 

This is the best opportunity for you to get a feel for what you are going to get in terms of knowledge, skills, experience (both academic and social), opportunities and support. Choosing the right postgraduate taught programme for you is an important decision. Bristol is a brilliant place to live and study but you should see it for yourself (albeit virtually) before you commit.  

 

Register today

 

Dr Daniel Whitcomb is a Senior Lecturer in Translational Neuroscience in the Faculty of Health Sciences.

Tell us about your journey into academia… 

During my undergraduate degree (BSc Psychology, Warwick University), I became really interested in understanding the cellular mechanisms for the cognitive processes I had studied. I wanted to undertake a PhD, but felt there were gaps in my knowledge and that I needed to bridge between what I had learnt in my degree and what I wanted to further study. After a lot of research, I decided to undertake the MSc Molecular Neuroscience course here at the University of Bristol. 

I spent a brilliant (albeit intensive!) year studying on the programme, and had my first real experience of laboratory work during a 3-month research project. On completing the degree, I began a PhD in Bristol studying the molecular mechanisms of Alzheimer’s disease. Following on from this, I undertook a Wellcome Trust/Medical Research Council postdoctoral research associate position with the lab I completed my PhD in. I was then appointed Lecturer in Translational Neuroscience, my current position here in Bristol. I now run my own research team where we try to understand the molecular basis of neurodegenerative diseases. 

Interestingly, my academic journey has somewhat circled around to where it began; I am now the Co-Director of the very same MSc Molecular Neuroscience programme that I undertook which has allowed me to pursue this career! I therefore have the arguably unique perspective of both a student of the programme and now a member of staff on it as well!    

 

What tips do you have for prospective postgraduate students? 

I think it is important to identify which postgraduate programmes are going to offer you the opportunity to develop the skills you need to achieve whatever your ultimate goals are. This means researching programmes and determining if they cover the content/materials that you need to achieve your ambitions. There is usually a lot of information available in programme outlines online, but I also think there is real value in making contact with programme leaders, students etc, and asking questions. 

 

What’s your experience of events at Bristol? 

I always find the events at Bristol really exciting – it’s great to talk with prospective students and hear what they have been studying and what their ambitions are. I like being able to answer questions students have and offer additional insight into postgraduate study. 

 

What are the common questions you often get at an event? 

I am often asked about programme content and what kind of topics are covered. Students are also usually very interested in learning more about the research projects that we offer on the course. Getting into the lab is a really exciting aspect of our programme, so students want to hear about the sorts of techniques and approaches they will learn. 

 

Why is it important to attend the events? 

I think the events are important because they give you direct access to academic members of staff. This is hugely valuable, as you hear directly from them and have the opportunity to ask important questions that will help you decide whether a programme is right for you.  

 

Register today

 

Dr Huw Thomas is a Lecturer in Management in the Faculty of Social Sciences and Law.

Tell us about your journey into academia… 

My journey to the University of Bristol is somewhat unusual in that I went straight from school to an undergraduate degree, to a master’s, to a PhD, and finally to here, a Lecturer, at Bristol!  

I began with a BSc in Business Management from Cardiff University with the idea that the flexibility in the degree could take me anywhere. After a number of (unsuccessful) interviews for Human Resource positions, where one interviewer stressed that I was ‘too nice for HR’ and having impressed one of the lecturer’s, I was urged to stay on to do a PhD in international employment relations.  

During my studies I spent two years working at the International Labour Organization (ILO), a specialised Agency of the United Nations, as well as field research in palm oil plantations of Indonesia, and tea estates of Sri Lanka. Working with social actors and taking these experiences into the classroom is something I enjoy immensely. Currently I’m interested in labour rights, global supply chains, international organisations, activist scholarship and air traffic controllers.   

Most recently I have developed the new MSc in Human Resource Management and the Future of Work, which I am particularly excited about and looking forward to welcoming our first students to this state–of–the–art programme.   

 

What tips do you have for prospective postgraduate students? 

Don’t be afraid to ask questions to the lecturers on the course! We’re a friendly bunch with a wide range of expertise, both in terms of the different programmes but also the University as a whole. At the same time, do your research. Look at the strengths and weaknesses of different programmes, but also consider where you want to be for a year. There is life outside of academia after all! 

 

What’s your experience of events at Bristol? 

I really enjoy these events at Bristol. It’s great to engage with prospective students and show off the amazing programmes that we’ve developed. My experience has been that students really enjoy the opportunity to engage in open discussion with their prospective lecturers. We also enjoy talking to those who want to pursue their academic career further, the best students are those who are most engaged! So, ask us anything.  

 

Do you have any advice for how prospective students can make the most of the events? 

No doubt that doing these events virtually is not the same as face-to-face. We’d love to have you here, but, with some preparation it’s just as useful. Take a look at the multitude of materials we have online, many of the normal questions will be answered by having a browse online. Following this, write down some questions. What’s perked your interest in the programmes? Where do our students go after graduating? What’s the unique selling point of this programme? These are the type of questions we love to answer.   

 

What kind of things can students ask you? 

Ask us anything, we’re here to answer your questions. There’s no such thing as a stupid question in my book. Ask me about myself and my research interests, the programme, what it’s like to be in a classroom (virtual or face-to-face) with me, or what’s good to do in the evenings in Bristol.  

 

Why is it important to attend the open week? 

This is a great opportunity to get a feel for what the University has to offer. By chatting to us, we can make sure you’re suitable for the programme and that it’s a good fit for you. It’s also a good chance to talk to your prospective lecturers. It’s always great speaking to students in these events and welcoming them to the classroom the following year.   

 

Register today

 

Dr Jordi Paps Montserrat is a Lecturer in the Faculty of Life Sciences, specialising in the genomic basis of major evolutionary transitions.

 

Tell us about your journey into academia… 

I did my degree in molecular biology in Barcelona and, while I still find subjects like molecular genetics or biochemistry fascinating, the science that totally captivated me was evolutionary biology. After finishing my degree, I did a PhD using molecular genetics to reconstruct the evolutionary relationships of the major lineages of the Animal Kingdom. This was followed by a postdoctoral position investigating the closest relatives of animals. 

After that I moved to Oxford to keep studying the evolution of animals, but this time using comparative genomics. After five years as a postdoctoral researcher in Oxford, I got a lectureship at the University of Essex, and I moved to Bristol in early 2019. Here I teach genetics, developmental biology, and evolution to undergraduates, and I am the academic lead of the MSc in Bioinformatics.  

 

What tips do you have for prospective postgraduate students? 

Postgraduate programmes offer a unique chance to complement what you learnt during your undergraduate degree, acquiring new skills that you can apply in scientific research projects. For example, the MSc in Bioinformatics allows students from biosciences backgrounds (biology, biochemistry, pharmacy, medicine…) to tackle research questions usually out of the scope of their degree programmes. Investigate which programme options are available and ask yourself what do you need to learn to pursue your academic or professional interests? And be honest with yourself! 

 

What’s your experience of events at Bristol? 

I’m relatively new to Bristol, but I’ve participated in several open days and events for prospective undergraduate and postgraduate students. I’ve also organised and been part of outreach events in Bristol. I enjoy talking to people and sharing my views about science and learning. 

 

Do you have any advice for how prospective students can make the most of the events? 

I’d like to encourage you to be proactive. Navigate the information you’re being given and set a clear plan for which sessions and meetings you need to attend in advance. Importantly, prepare questions before coming to the event, and ask them!  

 

What kind of things can students ask you? 

I’m happy to answer all types of questions related to the postgraduate programme, science, or my research. Most often I get questions about types of research projects we offer (many and very different projects!), previous knowledge about bioinformatics required (none!), and sometimes I get questions about my own research. 

 

Why is it important to attend the events? 

Most likely, your choice of postgraduate programme is going to impact your future, both short and long term. It’s important to make an informed decision, get a feeling for the programmes and the people involved, and to clear doubts or misconceptions. Attending these events gives you a great opportunity to get this information and make a wise choice! 

 

Register today

 

Dr Rabeya Khatoon is a Lecturer in Economics within the Faculty of Social Sciences and Law.

Tell us about your journey into academia… 

I have always had a desire to work in academia from the start of my undergraduate studies at the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Maybe this is because I got influenced by the very best lecturers there and to the subject matter of Economics from the very beginning. With my hard work and love for the subject, I topped the class and eventually joined the University of Dhaka as a Lecturer after completing my master’s in Economics.

To know more about the subject and with a desire to specialize in Econometrics, I applied for and got selected at the University of Manchester for MSc in Economics and Econometrics, funded by the prestigious Commonwealth Scholarship. Based on my performance there, I was able to gain full funding for my doctoral studies straightaway and completed my studies with success. For me, it was the love for the subject that helped me the most, this is the reason why I did not fall behind even after having three of my children during PhD studies. 

Upon completion, I returned to the University of Dhaka, though not for long. After one year, I was able to join University College London, and then the University of Bristol as an academic. My place as an academic is neither by chance, nor by luck; I believe it is my love for Economics and my passion to teach that brought me where I am at present.  

 

What tips do you have for prospective postgraduate students? 

Postgraduate study is a must if you want to join academia. If you have a different career goal, it’s still worth exploring, as the return to this one more year of education is measured to be significantly positive. MSc Economics and Finance at Bristol is a specialist programme that can equip you with cutting-edge economics knowledge with a focus on finance. 

There is no alternative to gather as much relevant information as possible before you choose your University and your programme. It is important to know the strengths of the institution and the prospects of the programme to see if it matches with your aspirations.  

 

What’s your experience of events at Bristol? 

I’ve been at several events since working at Bristol. It’s such a pleasure to interact with many prospective students showing an interest in MSc Economics and Finance! During the lockdown, I was involved in a virtual event with a live chat. I was very happy to see students asking questions about the programme as well as overall life in Bristol. 

 

Do you have any advice for how prospective students can make the most of the virtual events? 

I believe if you take the time to use all the resources available to research for the programmes you are interested in and note down some questions or points of discussion beforehand, it’ll not look quite different than the face to face open week. You’ll be able to use the chat function to ask any questions or queries you might have.    

 

What kind of things can students ask you? 

Anything! I’ll be happy to answer any questions about my programme, guidance on the suitability of the programme given your background, the structure of the programme, the way we teach it, and the future career prospects after studying on the programme. We are an approachable bunch so feel free to ask away. People often have very specific questions about the suitability of the programme given their career goal and their academic preparation so far. I often get queries about what modules they can take, the format of the general teaching and research interests regarding dissertation supervision.  

 

Why is it important to attend the  events? 

I think it’s really important to attend the events as it gives you a firsthand feeling of the University and the staff working here. Though they’re taking place virtually this year, by attending the events you’ll get to know how we are using technology to facilitate communication in this new normal state of life. By chatting to academics, you can make sure that the program is the right one for you.  

 

Register today

 

Dave Jarman is a Senior Lecturer in the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship within the Faculty of Arts.

Tell us about your journey into academia… 

Like most of the team at the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, I’ve followed a slightly unconventional path into academia! We actually pride ourselves on the diversity of experience we’ve collectively accumulated!  

After my own master’s degree at Bristol, I was initially a skills trainer and development coach in the Students’ Union and later the Careers Service here at the University. Then just over 10 years ago I started supporting freelancers and start-up entrepreneurs whilst working for the University’s Research and Enterprise Division, supporting new social and commercial ventures ranging from healthcare and high-tech ideas to charities and creative freelancers.  

I eventually became the Head of Enterprise Education here at Bristol, chaired the UK’s national network of entrepreneurship educators, and then became the Head of both Careers and Enterprise at a creative arts university just down the road. I got tempted back to Bristol with a switch to the academic side of the house as a Lecturer in Entrepreneurship at what was then a brand new Centre in 2016. 

 

What tips do you have for prospective postgraduate students? 

My top tip for prospective postgraduate students when applying is to show us the trajectory that you’re on; what I mean by this is if we’re going to invest in you and support you, we want to see in your application some evidence of your passion and skill so far, and also your ambitions for the future. We want to invest in students who’ve got the motivation to make the most of the course, so show us your initiative, show us your burning interest, show us your hopes for the future and that’ll excite us about wanting to work with you to achieve that. 

 

What’s your experience of events at Bristol? 

Whilst events have moved online they’re still a great way to meet people. I love meeting prospective students and talking through their ideas and ambitions. It’s really fun sharing our programme with people who are usually surprised by just how practical it is. 

 

Do you have any advice for how prospective students can make the most of the virtual events? 

Make the most out of all the resources and opportunities available. Read the information, come to events and ask questions using the chat, listen in to the briefings and try to get a feel for what we do. If you’re still not sure about something, get in touch and ask! 

 

What kind of things can students ask you? 

Applicants can ask almost anything, certainly about what and how we teach, and what and how we assess (clue: no exams), but I’d also welcome questions about what a great city Bristol is for start-up and innovation. We often get questions about getting the chance to work on a specific idea during the master’s, which is possible, but most students tend to have better ideas whilst they’re studying! I also get asked if you need a business idea to even apply, to which the answer is a definite “no”, we can help you have all those ideas! 

 

Why is it important to attend the events? 

Research is important! Obviously I’d say that, but it is important to get a proper feel for what you’re applying to. It’ll help you make the best choice and it’ll help give you content to put into your application too. It’s also fun!

 

Register today

 

Professor Dave Cowan is a Professor of Law and Policy in the Faculty of Social Sciences and Law.

Tell us about your journey into academia…

I became an academic by chance, really.  I had an undergraduate degree in law, and decided not to take up my training contract at a City law firm, as I wanted to focus on different (not really specific) interests.  I was forwarded an advert for a law lectureship at my old university by a friend and couldn’t believe it when they offered it to me. I was asked to teach land law, and from there I developed a deep interest in, and passion for, housing issues and social change. It has led to work changing the law on renting homes in Wales, and influencing changes in the law on housing standards in England.  After 30 years, I still skip into work, although that is a virtual skip at the moment. 

 

What tips do you have for prospective postgraduate students?

The most important thing is to look for the kind of programme that does more than merely interest you – it should inspire you and offer you the chance to do more.  That’s what we think we offer here. 

 

What’s your experience of events at Bristol?

I love meeting and engaging with our future students, and telling them about what we do here, the way we teach, and what is unique about us. Most of all, though, my colleagues and I get to talk about what we do and why we do it – I love hearing their passion for their research and conveying that research in their teaching. 

 

Do you have any advice for how prospective students can make the most of the virtual events? 

Make use of all the resources available and take the time to browse on the platform. There will be lots of information available, both programme-specific and more general information. What may well surprise you is the range of choice we offer, which we hope will spark your interest. You will have questions that you want to ask, so we hope that you will engage with us during the webinar, which will offer you the chance to have your questions answered by my colleagues and I. 

 

What kind of things can students ask you? 

You should feel free to ask us anything.  We are happy to answer any question about our programme, such as its modules and structure, and the way we teach it. You may want to ask advice on your next steps after studying on my programme. We are an approachable bunch so feel free to ask away. One of the great things about the open day is that we can never prepare for the kinds of questions we get asked, and so our responses are natural and demonstrate our passion for our subjects and the law school. The most common questions we get are around the format of teaching and assessment, as well as around the extra employability that our degrees offer.  

 

Why is it important to attend the events? 

What I have found is that, even though it’s virtual and so you don’t necessarily get a feel for the physical virtues of Bristol which are many, you can find out in a really focused way about the programme and the University. You can make sure that our programmes are tailored to your interests, and we might pique your interest in a slightly different area. By the end of the day, we hope that you will know that our University is the right place for you.