Category: Academic insights

Professor of Banking and Finance
Programme Director of MSc Banking, Regulation and Financial Stability

Tell us about your journey into academia…

I used to work in banking in Germany but was always more interested in understanding it from an academic perspective. On top of that, I experienced a bank failure myself when the bank I worked at failed. I wanted to get to the bottom of things and so I pursued a master’s degree and a PhD at the University of Southampton, before my appointment as Lecturer in Finance. Prior to being at Bristol, I was Professor of Finance at Lancaster University, Professor of Empirical Banking at Bangor University and Lecturer in Banking at Bayes Business School.

My research interests focus on the empirical modelling of bank behaviour. In particular, I primarily investigate the role of the government in banking systems in terms of regulation, supervision, and bank bailouts, and how such government interventions affect bank conduct.

Why should prospective postgraduates choose to study banking and finance at Bristol?

My programme (MSc Banking, Regulation and Financial Stability), is aimed particularly at recent graduates who wish to pursue a career in banking or financial regulation, or for those who wish to continue to a PhD.

The banking programme has a unique focus on regulation, supervision, compliance and risk management. It goes beyond traditional banking and finance courses by exploring the regulatory demands within banking and examining the role of central banks and international organisations.

We designed it that way because many bankers told us that there is a shortage of people who are interested in the regulatory aspects, there are not enough graduates who know about bank capital regulation, how to comply with changing rules and regulations, and make good choices to help banks perform well in such an environment. A lot of the recruitment in banking is focused on these areas and we wanted to offer a degree programme that fits exactly such needs. We also have a large number of academics who interact with these regulators that teach on the banking degree, and so it made perfect sense to capitalise on these unique features that Bristol offers and students will gain a lot from the anecdotes our staff can tell from their own experience interacting with bankers.

How do you share your industry experience with students?

I have strong links with central banks and international organisations. For example, I’m a frequent visitor to the International Monetary Fund, and have held several visiting appointments at the Deutsche Bundesbank. I was also a consultant in the ECB’s Financial Research Division, and for the World Bank. This research experience is something that I bring to my students and integrate it into their learning, meaning it has real-world relevance. My other colleagues who teach on this programme share this approach.

What is special about your programme?

One of the things that I think is special about our programme is a mentoring scheme that we have set up with several banks, including the Bank of England. Students can apply for this scheme which involves them being put in contact with experts at the banks. They provide further insight into the industry, and can offer help and advice around academic work, job applications and assessment centres etc.

What can prospective students get out of attending virtual events?

I’d recommend you attend a virtual event to find out a bit more about our programmes and what we offer. You can ask questions to help you decide if the course is right for you. I’d encourage you to make a note of some questions in advance of the event, or during the main presentation, then ask them using the chat function.

Despite not being able to experience our city and university facilities in-person, you can still ask just as many questions such as: what’s unique about our programmes? What are the likely career outcomes? What links do our academic staff have with industry? Please don’t be shy! We’d love to hear from you!

Simulation & Inter-Professional Learning Lead

Programme Director Postgraduate Certificate in Healthcare Improvement

Programme Co-Director Master’s in Healthcare Management

Find out more about Teaching and Learning for Health Professionals and Healthcare Studies on 11 March.

 

Tell us about your journey into academia…

The stimulus for my journey into academia came from a desire to continually learn and improve the healthcare we deliver to our patients. I realised that in order to achieve that, we needed to find ways to not only better prepare healthcare professionals to perform well when it matters, but also to arm them with the tools to critically evaluate both the care they deliver and the systems they deliver it in.

My journey started in simulation-based education, but as I grew to understand simulation as a modality, I was able to position and integrate simulation as a tool central to the institutional strategy for systems evaluation, quality improvement and patient safety. This experience underscored the importance of close relationships between educational and governance infrastructures of healthcare organisations to establish learning organisations that continually learn and improve whilst delivering a service.

 

Why should prospective postgraduates choose to study healthcare at Bristol?

Health systems are increasingly complex, and the global challenges pose significant demands in terms of the skills and knowledge of future healthcare professionals.

The University of Bristol master’s level programmes, MSc Healthcare Management and PG Certificate Healthcare Improvement, aim to create a new generation of healthcare professionals who understand, critically analyse and provide solutions for the challenges faced by health systems and healthcare organisations in the 21st century.

Led by a team of experienced staff passionate about innovative postgraduate education, the Bristol programmes are unique in a variety of ways.

In addition to capitalising on the interdisciplinary strengths of leading academics in the schools of Medicine, Dentistry, Economics, Finance and Management, it uniquely facilitates the practical application of academia and research in a real life working environment. In the form of a Quality Improvement project via a capstone unit, students are able to demonstrate what they’ve learnt and the skills gained during their studies. This not only allows students the opportunity to gain deeper understanding, but directly links improvement and management strategies with the challenges faced by the healthcare organisations, granting our students the opportunity to work on real healthcare problems with the goal of providing viable solutions that their healthcare organisation can implement immediately.

 

What can prospective students get out of attending the virtual events?

Students will be able to get a high-level overview of both the master’s level programmes and ask the programme directors clarifying questions. This will allow you to make sure that the programme is the right one to suit your interests, aims and objectives.

 

Find out more at our virtual events in March.

 

Charlotte Villiers, Professor of Company Law and Corporate Governance  

Tell us about your journey into academia… 

Having trained and qualified as a lawyer in a City law firm I took up practice, specialising in employment law in the City. It did not take long for me to learn that the legal system was not at all perfect and the inequalities built into the system were plain to see. I wanted to have the opportunity to write critically about the law and the limitations within the system and so I took a master’s degree whilst in practice. After completing my master’s, I began life in my first post as a Lecturer in Law (a PhD was not required all those years ago!).  

I have stayed in academia and am now Professor of Company Law and Corporate Governance. It is such a rich subject that involves not just legal technicalities but includes discourse on how to organise production and delivery of services, how to manage people, how to balance different interests, how to ensure accountability and how to conduct business sustainably. Whilst many companies do great things, providing useful products and services for society, there are also many harms arising from corporate activities including exploitation of workers, environmental damage and human rights violations. Company law and corporate governance regulation have a role to play in reducing these harmful impacts and my research explores how law and regulation might be developed to help companies to be operated sustainably within planetary boundaries. My postgraduate courses are designed with a central focus on this key concern.  

I have had a wonderful, interesting career filled with variety and opportunities to work with people in many different roles and across the world. I still write critically about the law, a system still filled with limitations but also great promise. The best part of my career has been all the students I have met and taught throughout my career. As I have taught them, they have taught me, to be humble and ever open to new ideas and new ways of looking at the world. As the Law School’s current Postgraduate Director of Studies, I lead all our taught programmes and I am the main contact for our postgraduate students.

 

Why should prospective students choose Bristol for studying law at postgraduate level?  

Our postgraduate programmes have something to offer everyone. We have a fantastic range of different LLM streams covering all areas of law, including international law, commercial law, employment law, corporate governance, health law and banking and finance law to name just a few. Within all of the programmes, there is a large variety of options to choose from. These reflect the wide and diverse interests of all the lecturers and professors in this big Law School. As research-led courses, they are designed to provide our students with information and discussions that are at the forefront of cutting–edge research. We share our research with our students and encourage them to engage with it and to be involved in the key debates within the fields in which they are studying. Our students are then supported in developing their own research ideas in their dissertation which forms a compulsory part of all our LLM programmes.

Many of our students go on to publish their dissertation research and to pursue it further in PhD research either in Bristol or elsewhere. They gain confidence as a result of the small class sizes, which provide a genuine opportunity to be known personally by all their tutors, as well as by their personal academic tutor who supports their study and development whilst they are members of the Law School.  This is a Law School with a culture built on interesting and original ideas, as well as kindness and collegiality. It is a place in which staff and students can thrive intellectually and socially. It helps that the University of Bristol is located in a beautiful, lively, open-minded city that blends history and modernity in a way that makes it vibrant and unique.  

 

What advice would you give to a student applying for a postgraduate law course? 

Have a clear idea of what you want to study and what you want to achieve. Be prepared to immerse yourself fully in our Law School community, academically and socially. Explore Bristol and make lots of new friends. 

 

What can prospective students get out of attending the virtual events? 

The virtual events will be an opportunity to meet some of the academic staff and students and you can ask any questions about the University, the Law School, the courses and the city. These events enable you to make sure that the programme is the right one to suit your studying, research and career aspirations, that the approach to learning suits the way you work best, and that Bristol is the city that suits your social and cultural interests.

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