Profile
A highly qualified and experienced qualitative researcher from the field of Sociology, technology and everyday life studies. The most recent project worked on was for British Telecom (BT), developing a research proposal, conducting a methodology, and delivering multiple reports. The accomplishment of this research led to the awarding of a doctorate from a Sociology department ranked in the top 40 by QS World University Rankings 2015 and rated top 10 for research quality in the UK. This background provides a solid base to action other clients’ inquiries, to problem solve, plan and carry out bespoke methodologies, reporting on audiences and users behaviours in context, and the continued honing of research, interpretation and presentation skills.
Education & Qualifications
2008 – 2014
* PhD Sociology – University of Essex, UK
*A serious road traffic accident in 2012 forced me to suspend my studies for 18 months.
‘Home is Where the WiFi Connects Automatically: The Everyday Practice of Internet Use’
The thesis focussed on the impact and experiences of the internet and mediating technologies now they are considered mundane and integrated into daily life. An innovative qualitative methodology was designed, balancing the constraints of a limited budget and time period with the benefits of demanding ethnographic research, conducting 60 in depth interviews in various forms, creating diaries for participants, and photography, as part of a longitudinal study occurring in the home.
The PhD was a studentship funded by the EPSRC and BT, responsibility of the project was mine in all aspects of research design and application, with reference to commercial interests.
Main responsibilities:
– Ethnographic research of a longitudinal nature
– Answering initial research questions
– Engaging with multidisciplinary groups through presentations as well as smaller scale discussions
– Recruit and manage a valid sample population of 15 households
– Design and implement in depth interviews and diary methods
– Written reports and presentations for academic, commercial and lay audiences
2007 – 2008
MA Sociological Research Methods (Merit) – University of Essex, UK
A mix of 10 semi-structured online interviews and focus groups was used for participants to discuss their experiences and attitudes in the dissertation ‘Peer to Peer File Sharing and Downloading: A Change in Attitude Towards Music?’, which explored social attitudes towards music as a commodity at the peak of public discourse about online piracy.
2004 – 2007
BA (Hons) in Sociology (2:1) – University of Essex, UK
Interviewing participants and autoethnography took place for my third year dissertation ‘Violent Video Games: The Gendered Player, Gaming Experiences and Identity’, exploring the personal interest in gaming, and the experiences when playing specific games.
Employment History
Feb 2015 – July 2015
Team Administrator
Brighton and Hove Integrated Care Systems
Working across a number of NHS patient databases, conducting data cleanses, and general administration. The role required liaising within small teams, learning to be time efficient when sifting through a great deal of data in a quick but detailed manner, with an eye for detail to spot any faults to correct.
Oct 2009 – July 2013
Graduate Teaching Assistant
University of Essex Sociology Department
Lessons conducted to engage and encourage participation in social and media theory, and its application in society. Responsible for students’ wellbeing and achieving learning outcomes, while also providing exemplary customer service. Managing classes of between 12 and 20 pupils, multiple approaches were devised to communicate and explain ideas, through discussions, resources and interactive scenarios. Experience was gained in public speaking, combined with administrational duties, alongside marking and providing constructive feedback on essays and exams.
Oct 2011 – July 2012
Personal Advisor
University of Essex Sociology Department Student Support
A contact point working in partnership with student, academic and administrational members, appointed as a responsible member of the department, to be called in confidence, with any questions, worries, concerns or problems connected to their degree or personal situations.
Oct 2006 – July 2008
Executive Member Nightline
University of Essex Student Support
Member of 14 person executive committee co-ordinating the day to day, and long term planning of a crisis listening and information service. Personal duties extended to budgeting, fundraising, as well as strategic long term planning, as well as supervising volunteers on duty.
Achievements & Interests
Displaying an engaging manner and understanding of social theory while a member of the department’s open day team and at several conference presentations led to my appointment as a representative at the European Union’s Future Internet forum in Sweden. I have recently enrolled on an online learning course on the basics of HTML, CSS and WordPress web design to continue exploring resources for future research. This will also be used to build a website to blog from, continuing to enhance my own writing skills, while currently submitting articles for publication in academic journals. I am a member of the British Sociological Association. In May I organised a three week trip travelling the east coast of the United States of America on my own, relishing the opportunity to mix in a different culture, adapting to change, and plan to do another soon. I enjoy discovering music and attend gigs when I can, the most recent being Flying Lotus, Bonobo and Kate Bush. I have taken up running to improve overall fitness and stamina.
