What are you currently doing and who are you working for? Can you give a brief description of what you did from graduation up to now?
'My time at Birmingham has given me invaluable skills in both research and project management, without which I don’t believe I would hold the position I do today.'
Emma Palmer
I am currently working towards my PhD in ‘Cognitive and neural correlates of insight and metacognition in first episode psychosis and dementia’ at the Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London.
After I graduated from Birmingham I began working at the Institute of Psychiatry as a research worker. I was the project manager for recruitment and testing control participants in a large scale case-control study on first episode psychosis funded by the EU. I held this position for one year, and then began my PhD in the Department of Psychosis.
Can you give a short outline of the course you studied at the University of Birmingham and how it benefited you?
I studied MRes Cognitive Neuropsychology and Rehabilitation at the School of Psychology, whilst also working part-time as a research assistant in the same department. My time at Birmingham has given me invaluable skills in both research and project management, without which I don’t believe I would hold the position I do today.
How did you find your first year in Birmingham?
As my degree was a Masters, I only studied at Birmingham for one year, but I found the experience exciting, stimulating and inspiring.
How did going to University as a whole benefit you?
I believe pursuing a postgraduate qualification at University has benefited me greatly. Without this additional qualification I do not believe my transition into graduate research employment would have been as easily achievable.
How did you find campus life? Can you describe how it was to study here at Edgbaston Campus rather than in a City Centre location?
As a postgraduate I spent most of my time within my department, which I found friendly and relaxed. I have previously studied at a city campus University and I found the experience at Birmingham was much more enclosed and there was a greater sense of community as all students and Schools were located on the same campus.
What are your aspirations for the future?
I aim to continue my work in academia to post-doctoral study, with aspirations to hold a lecturing position in the future.