I independently conducted a series of thematic analyses to address four separate research questions investigating the characteristics of digital by-standing in response to online harassment. With a dataset including over 200 participants’ responses, I used NVivo to conduct coding, and generate initial themes. Following this, I reviewed and defined themes for each research question, summarising my work and findings in a report which was used to supplement the thesis of the PhD candidate I was working with.Working on this project gave me experience of working independently to meet strict deadlines, ensuring the quality of my own research methodology and report writing, and developing new skills (e.g., NVivo) in order to conduct effective research. Furthermore, I was able to assimilate to a new research area, and develop a nuanced understanding of the literature as required.

As a member of the Student Wellbeing Vertically Integrated Project (VIP), I collaborated with students and staff with diverse academic backgrounds to assess the effectiveness of women-only gym sessions in helping women to feel more confident in mixed-sex gyms. Our team designed a questionnaire to assess various components of confidence, and collected data before and after women-only gym sessions. To supplement the quantitative data, I worked in a team to provide a qualitative perspective; we designed and conducted focus groups to gain deeper insight into the characteristics of the interventions’ effectiveness.After preparing a report and research poster, we presented our findings at the 2023 EduFest conference in Bath. Working in such a diverse team exposed me to different ways of approaching tasks and problem-solving, and furthered my experience of applying my skills in a diverse team.

I joined the Language, Memory, and Perception lab group as a research intern, and worked with PhD candidates and academic staff in the department of Psychology. I assisted with several research projects, investigating (1) second language vocabulary learning, (2) multi-sensory spatial perception, and (3) memory for object location.My main responsibilities included designing and creating research stimuli, recruiting participants, and conducting in-person studies. During weekly lab meetings, I provided updates on data collection, and contributed ideas and solutions to complex research problems. For one project, I visited multiple Vision Norfolk institutes to collect data from blind and visually impaired participants.Through this experience, I gained valuable insight into the more hands-on aspects of the research process, and applied my teamwork skills in a practical research setting. Read the paper I co-authored as part of this internship below:

As treasurer of Norwich Nightline, I was responsible for overseeing all of the societies’ financial matters, my direct responsibilities included: • Creating a yearly budget, approving expense requests, and keeping accurate financial records• Managing relationships with stakeholders to secure funding• Purchasing, including printing, office equipment, and I.T. servicesAs a committee member, I took on a number of additional responsibilities, and acted as a first point-of-contact for volunteers and prospective members. My contributions included:• Attending weekly committee meetings to discuss society matters, consider possible actions, and reach collaborative decisions• Leading bi-weekly family meetings to provide society updates to volunteers, make welfare check-ins, and facilitate role-play exercises• Assisting with the training of new volunteers during training weekendsAlong with my fellow committee members, I ensured the continued quality service of Norwich Nightline during my service, and supported numerous students experiencing distress. This experience honed my leadership, management, and teamwork skills.

As a Nightline volunteer, I provided support to fellow students facing personal distress, mental health issues, or academic pressure. I developed my active listening, empathy, and reflective questioning skills through initial and supplemental training, as well as through active experiences whilst taking calls during shifts.