Applied Social Science

Dr Daren Britt
PhD Applied Social Science (2006)

Daren is currently employed as a Senior Lecturer in Substance Misuse at the University of Brighton.  He has been in this post for five years.

My current job was advertised whilst I was completing my PhD, I had worked as a visiting lecturer in the department so it seemed appropriate to apply for the post. In terms of the wider picture my PhD developed out of my work as a team member in a drug rehab; my position in the rehab came as a result of undertaking NVQs whilst unemployed in the mid 1990s. It was one of those…'do a course or else lose your dole' situations. It all has little to do with my first degree which was a BA Hons in Drama and English.

I began my post as Senior Lecturer in Substance Misuse on a 0.4 (2 days a week) basis whilst completing my PhD.  This will soon be increased to a full-time post.  The previous five years have seen a substantial level of development in the University in my specialty area. I have enjoyed developing the post and building teaching and research relationships between schools and faculties. My teaching initially was on a professional qualification, now I teach across both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. I also teach in Further Education.

Our professional course at the university received professional accreditation in 2006/7. It is fair to say that it has been a very busy time with very exciting developments both within the University and on a National level. I really enjoy working with my colleagues from all disciplines, and absolutely love working with the students (of all shapes, sizes and experiences of academic study). If there is a downside it is the workload, especially around marking-season, but it is a price I am more than happy to pay given the immense rewards I am currently enjoying. 

I am now a recognised expert in my specific research field (substance misuse and childhood sexual abuse), one of only three or four in the country. This expertise, and my wider knowledge of the substance misuse sector, made me an excellent candidate for the post. My career has developed from there.

My short term plan for the future is to consolidate the role of substance misuse teaching and training in the University; on a regional level it is to consolidate the role that the University has in delivering training to the workforce. I am continuing to pursue my research interests however funding is the major issue here, so I continue to seek funding for the treatment intervention research that I am involved in. Longer term… I really am not quite sure, so much of what I do is tied to social policy that who knows where I'll be in five years time… there may be no substance misuse field, or certainly not one that we would recognise today, so flexibility is everything. Fortunately a PhD is perfect for developing flexibility.

My advice to anyone looking to do a PhD would be to say it's hard, it hurts and your life will change… be prepared to be flexible. Buy a decent crash helmet, hold on tight and enjoy the chaos!
On a serious note; start working early, the more you do at the start the less painful it will be at the end. Use your supervisors, they're the best support you can get. Try and get to as many conferences and training courses in your area of study as you can, building a network of contacts outside of the university can be immensely rewarding and will help later in the day if things get sticky, or for when you are looking for a job.