Logan, PhD student in Sport and Exercise Science

I previously had the opportunity to work on the STAR project with my supervisors during my undergraduate degree. This project looked at dementia and sport which then lead to the identification of the issue that forms my PhD which is to explore coach education for coaches working with people living with dementia (PLWD). My supervisors encouraged me to apply for my PhD and assisted me in writing the application. I have been at UWS since 2020 and the support, friendships, and opportunities I have been given since starting UWS are why I continue to study and work here. I wasn’t planning on staying onto do a PhD but the belief my supervisors had in me gave me the confidence to pursue this. 

Emma, PhD student in Social Sciences

My background is in social policy, specifically working on policies that ensure people have enough money to afford their day to day (food, utilities, housing, etc.), so when I saw the third sector underemployment studentship advertised, I immediately emailed the supervision team for more information. Funnily enough I knew two of them from my undergrad days at UWS, so it was not only great to hear more about the project but also a wonderful opportunity to catch up with old lecturers. Since I completed my undergrad at UWS I knew it would be a great place to return to. There was just something about the way I felt supported throughout my undergrad that made me feel like it would be nice to come back.

Kennagh, PhD student in Performance

There wasn’t necessarily a single “spark” which piqued my interest in pursuing a PhD. For me, it was more of a buildup; my confidence in my abilities began to grow, I felt enjoyment and reward being in an academic environment and this combination drove me to continue learning more about my subject. I studied at UWS previously and have had nothing but positive experiences and opportunities here. There was no competition when I was deciding where I wanted to be to undergo my research and as expected, I’ve received nothing but continuous support from the staff and students here. 

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Last updated: 24/03/2026