"I completed my Sport and Exercise Science degree at the Chelsea School in 1999 (aged 34) and the then moved five minutes up the road to the School of Health Professions to commence an MPhil/PhD. In 2000 I was fortunate to receive an EPSRC studentship which enabled me to study full time (and to graduate before my 40th birthday)
The learning curve was extreme - but well worth the climb. From the whole experience I feel as if I have grown immeasurably.
I had great support along the way. The Clinical Research Centre Staff and the School of Health Professions provided me with an excellent working environment. I also had fantastic support from my supervisors: Marion Trew (Head of the School of Health Professions and director of my study) and Alison Bruce (Reader in the School of Engineering).
Doing a PhD is not an easy route to take but I have never regretted it for a minute."
L.B.
"As an international student coming from Portugal, I have been studying for the past four years part-time in the Clinical Research Centre for Health Professions. During my visits to the university (normally 1 week 3 times a year) I had all the support from everybody including the research administrators. As well as all the information that they sent me during the year, they always helped with any arrangements necessary.
I always felt comfortable and there was always availability to discuss some subject that I was confused with or had any doubts about.
I always felt at home in the Clinical Research Centre."
C.A.
"My experience of undertaking a PhD degree in the Clinical Research Centre was not typical being characterised by up and down moments but overall it has been the most remarkable and fulfilling experience of my life.
Prior to coming to the UK, I was given information about the stage by stage procedure of the the MPhil/PhD degree. On my arrival at Eastbourne Train Station, I was warmly received by the Director of the Clinical Research Centre who also made perfect arrangements for my accommodation along with the staff at the accommodation office; I was taken round the town and was shown where to find the shops. This experience has since left me with a great sense of value and belonging.
Arrangements were made for further training in areas of my study in order to facilitate the smooth conduct of my research. I had meetings with my supervisors at least twice a month who helped with my planning and execution of the research project.
I also received immeasurable assistance and support from the administrative staff on a variety of issues involving my study and general welfare. They gave me all the support, confidence and guidance I could ask for, I could never ask for a better place to be and a better people to be with."
L.S.
Excerpts from professional doctorate student testimonials
"The professional doctorate in nursing has helped me develop from here
to here. [with my supervisor Alec Grant – a constant companion].
The whole experience has been a fascinating journey. I commenced the writing in 2005, completed my work in the summer of 2010, invited to defend my work in October 2010 and apart from some minor amendments was awarded the title of Doctor in October 2010. In addition to the academic staff I would like to thank the administration staff; the often unsung invisible colleagues.
I used autoethnographic approaches to help me consider questions about the self, identity formation, development and maintenance. Working as a psychotherapist I regularly meet people whose identities are formed during their youth and have, or so they think, limited opportunities to amend and or change their often inherited identity; they often remain stuck within their stories. This Doctorate journey has helped me to be flexible with me and my selves and hopefully will inspire others to do the same. I have been able to unpack dominant discourses and dismantle traditional discourses that I suggest help to maintain power imbalances.
N.S.
"Excellent support processes within the group and cross-fertilisation of ideas through the interprofessional group. I would recommend this programme to others interested in this level of study."
"My supervisors have been absolutely brilliant. They seem to have tremendous trust in me and 'give me my head' but are immediately reactive to my cries for help."
"It is only when I hear myself speak and debate amongst others that I can see how my thinking and understanding has deepened."
"I've enjoyed the programme immensely. Having a structured programme has enhanced my learning and made organisation more straightforward. I am grateful for the support that everyone at the Research Centre offers."
"The professional doctorate has supported my professional role from the outset. I am already integrating and using the learning from the course in my working life by sharing my learning and resources with the staff I work with, using the knowledge gained to enrich my own interventions with clients and augmenting and raising the standards of the service documentation and reports using current research and best practice."
D.A. (prof doc first year)
"The professional doctorate appealed to me as I wanted to get more substance behind what I was doing. My practice was instinctive but this course has prompted me to start debating what I do with myself and others. It encourages you to start thinking in a different way. It’s not about acceptance, it is about actually thinking and challenging what you know. I am reading text now and there's a question mark at the end of it. So why? What does that mean?
"There was a period of discomfort when I was moving from what I think of as masters to doctorate level. There is a transition there and it was a little bit difficult for me at times, because it is about thinking about things differently. I am reading books now and thinking 'that's why!' – that's what it meant, and also having that thinking space, to go away from a session and ponder and reflect. It’s been immensely useful to put that into my practice. Continuing Professional Development is like a bit of that and a bit of this, but it doesn’t give you the framework that the professional doctorate does. I think that's why it should be encouraged, particularly for people to come after a period of practice."
Richard Hill, professional doctorate student, (in practice for 12 years)
