Alumni News Winter Edition 2024

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FORWARD

Welcome to the 2024 winter edition of Alumni News. As a Suffolk graduate myself, I was delighted to be asked to write the forward for this edition of the Alumni News. Having graduated over twenty years ago I feel incredibly honoured to be part of the transformational journey of the University of Suffolk.

As our alumni, you will have also proudly shared many of our achievements — obtaining a top 3% result for student satisfaction (teaching and feedback) in the Guardian University Guide 2024; getting silver in the Teaching Excellence Framework; climbing 46 places in the Complete University Guide 2022–2024 (one of the highest leaps by any UK university); successfully obtaining our Athena Swan Bronze award; and achieving the 'outstanding award' for our commitment to sustainability.

We exist to enable the transformation of lives in our region though education and research. We are certainly making a significant impact not only in transforming the lives of our students but also through our impactful research agenda. We are developing a thriving and inclusive research culture with over 100 PhD students and we have established an early career network. Nearly 100 staff contributed to our third annual Research Excellence Framework (REF) day in November when we were joined by nationally and internationally renowned experts in research excellence including Dr Steven Hill, Director of Research at Research England.

We are also attracting significant research funding from a variety of sources — currently nearly £1.5m in this academic year. Congratulations especially go to Dr Michael Saunters for his recent successful application to the Leverhulme Trust for his work Forging the Global Mind: Books, Material Culture, and Libraries in Colonial Latin America.

WARD

As a university we are also very proud of our programme of public engagement. Public engagement is central to our vision, our key institutional policies and our commitment to being a civic university. Public engagement is therefore at the core of our institutional identity, and this year we are delighted to be starting our journey towards the Engage Watermark award for public engagement, which is assessed and awarded by the National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement (NCCPE).

Our PhD Community is also part of our growing research and public engagement agenda and are an important part in our Together for Transformation: Research for a Changing World conference held in May last year. The Suffolk Doctoral College continues to organise a number of social and training events throughout the year, where interaction between researchers of different academic disciplines fosters a vibrant and supportive research community.

Our research institutes are now well established and have a major impact on changing the world for the better, taking an ambitious and collaborative approach and engaging in transformational research to tackle complex issues.

I hope that you enjoy this special edition of Alumni News.

Professor Emma Bond Pro Vice-Chancellor Research

FOCUS ON PHDS

Many of our alumni request more information on postgraduate and PhD study, often asking us where to find the right information for them and what it’s really like to study at PhD level. We often hear about perceived barriers to study at such a high level or misconceptions about what it takes to get there. So, in this edition of Alumni News, we have teamed up with our colleagues in the Suffolk Doctoral College to help break down some of those barriers, access some further information which is relevant to you, and hear from the experts.

Dr Sarah Richards is the Head of Suffolk Doctoral College (SDC) and, along with her team, provides us with a great deal of further insight into PhD study. With the help of some ‘mythbusting’ questions she will explain in more detail the support on offer and what it really takes to be a postgraduate research student.

Kerri Stevenson (left), Dr Sarah Richards (middle) and Hazel Sellars (right)

Hello to all our alumni, my name is Sarah Richards and I would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to Suffolk Doctoral College and my coordinating team Kerri Stevenson and Hazel Sellars.

As a team we organise support, processes and policies relating to PhD student progression here at the University of Suffolk. This support involves every stage of the PhD journey from application to completion.

We organise training and research development for our students, run research seminars and host a variety of social events throughout the year. We work collaboratively with other departments to provide a high standard of student experience and ensure that all our supervisors receive training and professional development to provide our students with excellent supervision. In a recent national student survey we came 6th overall for our supervision provision.

We have students studying PhDs in a wide variety of subjects including history, creative writing, technology, business, sociology, psychology, sustainability, social justice, childhood, healthcare and so much more. This edition of Alumni News allows you to read and watch what some of our students say about their experience of studying with us and we hope you find our ‘myth-busting’ section useful.

We are a friendly and student-facing team, ready to support our students and celebrate their success. If you have any questions about starting a PhD, please contact us at suffolkdoctoralcollege@uos.ac.uk and we will be happy to help or you can find further information on our website here

Breaking down the barriers — busting the myths on PhD study

A PhD costs too much

The cost of a PhD can be covered by a financial loan. Fees can be paid each semester and individual payment plans can be arranged with our finance department. There can also be occasional funding opportunities available for PhD study associated with research within research institutes.

I couldn’t do a PhD, I have a job and care for a family

We have a high number of students with children and full-time jobs who study for their PhD part-time. Unlike undergraduate programmes, PhD students only attend monthly supervision meetings and required development workshops so they are in control of when they study and where. This makes managing their studies within work and family commitments possible.

I don’t have time to study a PhD

A PhD is time consuming and a significant commitment and can represent a lot of work, so it is worth considering how much time you have to devote to achieving this. However, we have students who work full-time and have family commitments who still find time to study.

I don’t have the right qualifications so I can’t do a PhD

We accept students with a 2.1 or above in their first degree and so having the right qualifications is not an issue for most. You don’t need a Master's degree to do a PhD at the University of Suffolk but for those with a Master's qualification their grade at undergraduate is less crucial. If in doubt, please just get in touch with us and we will explore this with you.

I wouldn’t know where to start

A good place to begin is to look at our website and listen to our student experiences. If you know an area or discipline you want to focus on, then reading the profiles of our academics to see if they could supervise your research is worthwhile. Sending them an email about your ideas and questions is also a really good approach. Alternatively, please contact us and we will be very happy to help you begin an application or help you determine whether you want to apply.

I don’t have a research question in mind

Research questions take time to establish and can change over the course of your PhD. Supervisors help students to shape their aims, objectives and questions.

I haven’t studied in years so I can’t do a PhD

Returning to study after a long break can feel like a barrier but try to remember that the study skills you acquired as an undergraduate are still available to you and we provide extensive research development to upskill you in the areas you need.

I’m too old to study a PhD

There is no age limit to studying a PhD and we have students across a wide age range studying with us. You’re never too old!

I’m not confident enough

Students do not necessarily come to us confident that they will be successful but do want to work towards being successful with our support. Confidence is gained as you progress and develop your thesis.

I’m too scared to go back into a classroom

PhD students are not classroom-based. There is a designated PhD study room where our students can work and socialise. Meetings with supervision teams take place in the building or online.

Isn’t just doing research a bit boring?

Sometimes graduates can have memories of doing research methods modules through gritted teeth. Doing your own research into a topic or field that really interests you is a very different experience from taught research methods. Students become passionate about their research and the opportunity to have a voice and platform about that topic is exciting, never boring.

What difference will it make to me?

People choose to do a PhD for a variety of reasons. Holding a specialism in a topic or field can advance a career, provide a platform to speak authoritatively, allow you to move into a new area of employment and increase promotion opportunities.

I only need a PhD if I am going to work in a university

Having a PhD is relevant in many areas of employment including industry, business, charity, healthcare, construction and engineering, as well as education.

What do our students say?

It’s always useful to hear from our current students. Below you will find a video about their experiences as PhD students at the University of Suffolk, an interview with a current PhD student, and a story from a graduate who has completed her studies with us.

We sat down with Leanne Logan-Smith, Senior Lecturer in Health Apprenticeships and current PhD student at University of Suffolk, to talk about her higher education journey, some of the challenges she has experienced and how she has overcome them.

Please tell us a bit about yourself

I currently work as a Senior Lecturer in Health Apprenticeships within the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Public Health as course lead for the Nursing Associate Programme. I have been at the University since 2018 after working in the NHS for nearly 9 years as a registered nurse.

My educational experience was difficult when I was younger as I struggled with a specific learning need. With the support of my family I achieved the GCSEs I needed to continue my learning at sixth form. I did not, however, achieve any gradable A levels despite my best efforts. If it hadn’t been for my parents I would not have exceeded expectations at secondary school or even considered applying for higher education. I was lucky to be in a position to be accepted for the Diploma in Adult Nursing at Suffolk College. Despite being where I am now in my academic career, I still feel out of place sometimes and lack self-confidence in my academic abilities.

Can you tell us about your journey with the University of Suffolk?

Following completion of the Diploma, I went on to complete my BA (Hons) post-registration through CPD funding at University Campus Suffolk, gaining a 2:1. When I became an Associate Lecturer I was then able to complete the PGCAP, which was my first experience of Level 7 study. I was shocked to see I had done well and it gave me the confidence to continue

my studies into the Master's in Education Studies, where I achieved a Distinction. During my Master's I received support from my personal tutor; we explored my lack of confidence and the impact of my previous educational experience. She encouraged me to apply for my PhD and is now my lead supervisor. My journey has been a learning curve personally, academically and professionally.

What made you want to study at Suffolk?

I was given the option to study my PhD at other universities but I chose to stay local. I felt if I studied somewhere else I may not be able to get the same support and encouragement I receive now. The University of Suffolk has a great support network, including the individual supervisor teams, Suffolk Doctoral School, Library and Learning Services, Student Centre, and Disability and Wellbeing team. Everyone is able to help and if they can’t, they will find someone who can. The University has a local feel and is growing its profile within the higher education and research sectors, which means there is a lot of new innovation and projects that you can participate in.

What challenges did you face along the way and how did you overcome them?

For my specific learning needs I allocated additional time to meet deadlines, accessed support from the Library and Learning Services and asked questions when I didn’t understand, instead of getting stressed that I might look ‘stupid’ for asking a 'silly' question. I also had my family read my work and sought feedback from my tutors on how to improve my academic writing style. Time management was key for working while studying — I struggled to do little and often with studying; I found it easier to have a whole day as it takes me a while to get into it since writing doesn’t come naturally to me. I therefore set my ‘study day’ as a Saturday or Sunday depending on family activities. I also usually leave the house — this way no one can interrupt me.

What would you say to anyone considering postgraduate or PhD study?

My main suggestion would be to organise your time and access support early if you find something challenging. Ensure you work with your supervisor to create an achievable timeline and stick to it if possible, but if life gets in the way speak with your supervising team

to reevaluate it. Engaging with different teams and support networks is one of the best ways to make your studies easier. Set yourself a study plan, i.e. one to two hours on an evening or set aside one day at the weekend, and ask your family to sign up to this as well. If you are self-funding, ensure you speak with the finance team to discuss your options as they can be very

OUR AMAZING ALUM WHO GRADUATED FROM UCS AND UNIVERSITY OF SUFFOLK FOUR TIMES

After completing my undergraduate degree with University College Suffolk (UCS) in 2010, I wanted to go into teaching. I applied for a place on the PGCE course, and Suffolk New College offered me a place as a trainee lecturer in their Early Years department. I completed my PGCE in a year and was offered a permanent position as a lecturer. I am still working at SNC today.

I then completed an MA in Childhood and Youth studies between 2011 and 2012 with University College Suffolk whilst working as a newly qualified lecturer. I felt the MA helped me to bring together my years of experience as an Early Years practitioner and my current job role (as my undergraduate degree was Psychology and Sociology, not Early Childhood Studies), so the Master's degree felt like a good way to develop my understanding of contemporary childhood issues.

I had enjoyed my time at UCS so much that I wanted to do a PhD; I felt my learning journey was not yet complete. In 2018 I found an opportunity for a research subject and spoke with my supervisor about the idea. I was pleased that they felt it was a solid grounding for research, and I began my PhD journey in September 2018. I had just started my data collection when national lockdowns were announced in 2020, so I had to adjust my research methods considerably. However, I persevered and managed to complete my data

informative about what financial support you may be able to access. My approach to studying aligns with the analogy that no one is born to write academically, it is something you have to learn through feedback, which some people find easier than others and you need to find what works for you.

"My supervisor once said to me that if I were a stick of rock, I would have the University of Suffolk written through me!"

— Dr Emma Harvey

PhD in Education 2023, MA Childhood and Youth Studies 2012, PGCE 2011, BSc (Hons) Psychology 2010

collection in a reasonable time. My Viva was in August 2023 and I was thrilled to pass with minor corrections. I was awarded my PhD in September 2023!

Although having a Doctorate is not essential to work in further education, it has definitely helped my confidence. I feel very well qualified, and I believe the research journey and what I have learned about research and contemporary issues in early childhood has benefitted my own students. I have also had opportunities to work with awarding organisations in creating and reviewing courses for early years educators, been part of creating apprenticeships with apprenticeship trailblazer groups, and course validation processes with other universities that I may not have been able to access if I had not been working towards a PhD. I feel my Doctorate will open up many more opportunities in the future.

The University has fantastic facilities. For my courses, the facilities were classrooms, the library and study spaces that were all state-ofthe-art. I had never written on a wall with pen before! But the walls in the James Hehir Building are designed for use by groups who are mindmapping or gathering ideas and can be used as note pads! The facilities for group work (whether in a classroom or in the library pods) are really great.

I found the Student Services available through the library really helpful. With a gap of six years between my MA and PhD, I needed a refresher on academic referencing, literature searching, and writing critically, and the webinars, workshops, one-to-one tutorials, and group seminars were really helpful tools.

Staff at the University are genuinely supportive, and their desire to be part of developing the University is evident in the frequent awards that are won across all departments, and the growth

REQUEST FOR ALUMNI STORIES

Real life stories from our graduates can be inspirational, uplifting and motivational to both current and prospective students and we are looking for more!

The Alumni Relations and Development team work closely with our colleagues in Marketing, Communications and International (MCI) and we are really keen to gather some new graduate profiles. Graduate stories/profiles can be used in a number of ways, and are often seen in a range of marketing materials from prospectuses, annual reviews, newsletters and campaigns. We also look for graduates who may be keen to share their story on video or in other ways. This is a great way to continue to support your university, if you are interested in getting involved, please contact us at alumni@uos.ac.uk

of the courses on offer. The University is going from strength to strength. I feel very proud to be part of the University of Suffolk alumni, and I recommend the University to anyone who will listen! My supervisor once said to me that if I were a stick of rock, I would have the University of Suffolk written through me!

DON'T FORGET

As a University of Suffolk graduate you have access to a reduction in fees for postgraduate study including PhDs through the Alumni Postgraduate Loyalty Scheme.

NEWS

Alum Celebrates Red Bull Competition Win

Graphic Design graduate, Lindsay Palmer, an avid F1 racing fan, has celebrated her winning competition entry to design a livery for an F1 racing car. Lindsay took inspiration from the bright lights of Las Vegas and combined the names of Red Bull’s two drivers, current World Champion, Max Verstappen, and Sergio Perez, incorporating their initials onto poker chips and playing cards in a nod to the city’s glitzy casino lifestyle. Congratulations Lindsay!

"As an F1 fan, I saw the promo competition and I spent a few evenings coming up with the concept to fit the brief of 'to look good under the lights of Las Vegas.' It all seems rather surreal. It has certainly given me a boost of confidence and motivation."

— Lindsay Palmer Graphic Design graduate

New Sports Pitches Revealed

A partnership between the University of Suffolk and leading youth charity, Inspire, has delivered new sports facilities, including 3G pitches, two grass pitches and floodlights, which are located at Inspire’s Ipswich site on Lindbergh Road.

"Our partnership with Inspire has not only delivered BUCS standard pitches but is also realising our longterm vision for improving sport and wellbeing facilities at the University, as well as supporting the needs of clubs and groups in the local community."

— Tim Greenacre Chief Operating Officer, University of Suffolk

Psychology News

Over the summer of 2023, the University invested substantially in some state-ofthe-art equipment and software for our Psychology laboratories. These include electroencephalographic and eye tracking equipment. The investment really supports our growing PhD community to undertake exciting and contemporary research.

Find out more about our Psychology courses

We are currently planning to host a British Psychological Society (BPS) East of England Branch committee meeting at the University on 20 March 2024. The President of the BPS will be giving a talk on how psychological understanding differs between cultures. The event will be open to all and more details will be released soon.

On 21 March 2024, between 10.00am–2.00pm, we will be hosting our annual Psychology Careers Fair. The BPS will provide a careers talk on routes into professional practice and their President will go on to discuss the skills acquired during an undergraduate degree in Psychology and how appealing they are in the wider workplace. There will be stands from a number of organisations that we work with offering voluntary and paid experiences. This event will also be open to all and more details will be released soon.

If you would like to discuss any of the above, please contact Dr Rachael Martin at r.martin2@uos.ac.uk.

Innovative Partnership Launched to Boost Health and Social Care Apprenticeships

A new partnership is being launched by education providers and health boards in East Anglia which will transform apprenticeship provision to boost health and social care careers. The Centre of Excellence for Health Apprenticeships (CEHA), announced in January, will provide progression routes for levels two through to seven.

"This transformative initiative represents our commitment to addressing the critical workforce challenges in health and social care in our region."

— Professor Gurpreet Jagpal Pro Vice-Chancellor Business and Enterprise

Suffolk Academics Influence National Policy to Improve Police Investigation of Rape

University of Suffolk academics have helped produce fresh resources for police forces nationally to improve investigations of rape and serious sexual offences as part of a major national policy, including important guidance around consent and challenging misconceptions.

"For too long the justice system in England and Wales has failed survivors of sexual violence. As many reviews by multiple agencies have identified, police investigations have been flawed. That is why this groundbreaking project is so important; it can deliver real-world improvements in the experience of rape victims in the criminal justice system."

— Professor Miranda Horvath Director of the Institute for Social Justice and Crime

OPPORTUNITIES AND EVENTS

Connection Week

We are delighted to be holding Connection Week for its second year! An event designed to celebrate and support our Alumni, Connection Week will run from 29 April to 3 May 2024. The Alumni Relations and Development team have designed a week of activities based on feedback from our graduates.

This year we will hold an event called ‘Next Steps’ from 4.00–7.30pm on 30 April 2024. With both in-person and online content, this event will offer a one-stop shop to answer all of your queries about postgraduate study and careers at Suffolk. We will provide a fun evening with a whole host of information as well as opportunities to speak with lecturers and current students.

Come along and meet up with old lecturers and friends and enjoy an evening on us. You can book your free place for this event here.

Throughout the week we will be offering live and recorded online content on all of the subjects which you have told us interest you, including: careers, postgraduate study, CPD, PhDs and working with businesses. We will also be offering tours and various bookable sessions for you to take part in.

Take the opportunity to reconnect with us, meet up with old friends and celebrate your amazing achievements. Keep an eye on our website as more exciting opportunities are added to our programme.

Open Lecture Series

The University of Suffolk Open Lecture Series is a high-quality events programme featuring world-renowned speakers showcasing academic excellence both inside and outside the University. The series is open to alumni, students, staff and the public — keep an eye on our events pages for upcoming lectures.

The 2024 programme includes lectures by Professor Stuart Harmer, Dean of the School of Technology, Business and Arts; Professor Gurpreet Jagpal, Pro Vice-Chancellor Business and Enterprise; Professor Sarah Richards, Head of Suffolk Doctoral College; and Professor Jo Finch from the School of Social Sciences and Humanities.

Recent lectures at the University of Suffolk:

„ Making A Difference by Professor Ruth Strudwick

„ History of Spoken English by Charlie Haylock

Spring Careers Fair

12 March 2024, 12.00–2.00pm Waterfront Building

The Spring Careers Fair is a great opportunity for our alumni to access careers support. Come along to research different sectors, boost your future skills and network with local and national employers.

Arts Degree Show

Our Arts Degree Show returns in June this year — a must-see show in the University of Suffolk’s annual events calendar. It will feature the work of students from the BA (Hons) courses in Architecture, Digital Film Production, Fine Art, Graphic Design, Graphic Illustration and Photography, with all courses exhibiting under one roof in the Ipswich campus’ Arts Building.

Save the date and join us to celebrate this year’s students’ successes:

„ Private viewing: Thursday 20 June, 6.00–9.00pm

„ Public viewing: Friday 21–28 June, 10.00am–4.00pm

„ Weekend viewing: Saturday 22 June, 11.00am–3.00pm

English Online Webinar Series

„ Shakespeare’s Othello with Dr Andrea Smith — 4 March 2024

„ Forensic Linguistics with Jenny Amos — 16 April 2024

Suffolk Children's Literature Festival 2024

18 May 2024, 9.30am–4.30pm

Dive into your creativity at this year’s Suffolk Children’s Literature Festival! Do you have a brilliant idea for a picture book for middle grade,

Can’t make the fair? You can contact the Careers, Employability and Enterprise team at any time at careers@uos.ac.uk or you can use Handshake as a graduate to access all events open to you.

You can check out the instagram accounts for each course nearer the time for details:

„ @unisuffolkarchitecture

„ @uos_film

„ @uos_fineart

„ @uosgraphicdesign

„ @photography_uos

or young adult readers? Are you keen to develop your craft as a children’s book illustrator or gain insider tips on pitching your work to agents?

Find out more about the festival here

Children and Childhoods Conference 2024

10–11 July 2024, 9.30am–5.00pm

We are excited to announce the 6th biennial Children and Childhoods Conference!

Building on a successful legacy, we invite papers that theoretically and empirically engage with children’s lives across disciplines, reflecting the diverse nature of childhood studies.

Postgraduate Opportunities

Postgraduate study can help you further your career. The majority offer a choice of full or part-time study options so you can balance work, life and study. Find out more about postgraduate study.

MA Childhood Studies

The MA Childhood Studies will equip you with an understanding of childhood, underpinned by international policy, theory and current research. If you are interested in a leadership position creating inclusive services for children and families, transforming practice and policy, and empowering the voices of children, this course is for you. The University has a thirtyyear tradition in providing childhood-related courses. Contact Dr Ivana Lessner Listiakova at i.lessnerlistiakova@uos.ac.uk.

MA/PgD/PgC Education Studies

The MA Education Studies offers learning and career development opportunities for educators and leaders across educational sectors from the UK and internationally. Master's-level study is viewed by many as essential for career progression. This course supports professional development in education and related fields.

The MA Education Studies at the University of Suffolk supports you in specialising in a particular field (e.g. policy, EDI, curriculum, leadership), and developing expertise that aligns with your interests and career goals. This can make you a valuable asset in educational settings. Contact Dr Clare Gartland at c.gartland@uos.ac.uk.

The conference continues our inclusive and open ethos and aims to bring together established academics, early career researchers, and postgraduate students.

Find out more about the Children and Childhoods Conference here

New Criminal Law and International Relations Postgraduate Courses

The team in the School of Social Sciences and Humanities have developed two Master’s level courses that will start in September 2024. They can be studied either part-time or full-time.

LLM Criminal Law and Justice

Our innovative LLM integrates criminal law, evidence and procedure with the insights of criminology and psychology into the practices of the criminal courts.

You will gain a practical and theoretical understanding of criminal law and justice whilst developing expertise in the principles of English criminal law with a focus on the practices of presenting, analysing and evaluating evidence. The course will draw on the insights of psychological research to deepen your understanding of the practical application of witness testimony. Our psychology labs and mock courtroom are used to test and develop ideas about the impact of context and memory on the reliability of testimony and evidence.

The course will be taught by specialist lecturers in Law, Criminology and Psychology to enable students to develop an integrated understanding of criminal law, evidence and procedure. Contact Professor Stephen Colman at s.colman@uos.ac.uk.

MA International Relations

The MA International Relations takes your existing studies and experience to the next level. It will provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to kickstart your career in the diverse, exciting field of international relations.

Our MA explores the theories, practices and priorities of greatest relevance to the profession of international relations today. It addresses not only the most pressing issues, but those on the cutting edge of contemporary research and policy agendas: the environment, global health, populism and ideology, race, and international security.

Your career growth drives our programme: you will obtain the skills needed by successful international relations professionals and put these skills to use with the opportunity to undertake a work placement during your studies. You will learn how to use the intelligence cycle, how to analyse and disseminate accurate research products, and how to develop and pursue a research agenda that generates subject matter expertise. This latter work is an opportunity to conduct a final project that marks the culmination of your studies and makes a substantial, unique contribution to knowledge in your field. Contact Dr Duncan Weaver at d.weaver@uos.ac.uk.

ALUMNI OFFER

As a graduate you have access to a wide variety of benefits and services through the Alumni Relations Offer. Our offer is flexible and we continually adapt it to best meet the needs of our Alumni Community.

How can we support you?

„ Alumni Postgraduate Loyalty Scheme: reduction on selected postgraduate course fees including PhD study

„ 3 newsletters per year with key insights from our community

„ Discounts on CPD courses

„ Lifelong access to the Careers, Employability and Enterprise service

„ Continued access to the Library

„ Access to the FREE online Jobs Board

„ Discounted membership rates for the Innovation Labs @ University of Suffolk and support with all of your business needs

„ Networking opportunities

„ Events and reunions

„ Opportunities to stay connected to the University community including Connection Week from 29 April to 3 May 2024

Contact us today at alumni@uos.ac.uk or visit uos.ac.uk/alumni

uos.ac.uk/alumni