Blog Archives
My UON Journey and Experience of the Images of Research (IOR) 2025
My educational journey at the University of Northampton (UON) has been a long and fulfilling one. I began with a BA in Business Entrepreneurship and Management, followed by an MSc in International Marketing Strategy. I am now pursuing a PhD focused on the Adoption of Responsible Human-Centred Artificial Intelligence (AI) in UK and Maltese Agriculture. My research explores the perspectives of agricultural professionals on adopting AI technologies and responsible AI practices.
Recently, I entered the Images of Research (IOR) 2025 competition. Although my research is rooted in the social and business aspects of AI adoption in agriculture, translating those concepts into a single, accessible visual image was a unique and creative challenge. The competition brief invited participants to design a distinctive image (whether a painting or photograph) that artistically captured the essence of their research, along with an engaging title and a 150-word summary.
The Graduate School provided clear guidance, including a rules and guidelines document and examples of previous entries. Lina was also incredibly helpful in answering any queries I had throughout the process.
This year’s competition featured 11 submissions and included two awards: the People’s Choice (won by Clare Moss) and the Judges’ Choice, which, to my surprise and delight, was awarded to me. I had entered with no expectations, only a desire to gain experience and learn from the process. I never imagined I would be selected as the judges’ winner.
Creating my IOR image gave me a chance to express my research visually, in a way I hadn’t done before. I used a photograph of a vibrant Maltese pomegranate field as the backdrop, rich in colour and symbolic of tradition and cultivation. The image is split into two halves, like a visual balance scale. On the left stands a traditional Maltese farmer, seated on his tractor with his dog by his side, a warm, human moment that reflects the heritage and hands-on nature of conventional farming. On the right, in contrast, is a more modern Maltese field featuring an AI-powered irrigation device, symbolising the forward-looking potential of smart agriculture.
The image invites the viewer to consider how tradition and innovation can coexist. I aimed to keep the composition simple yet meaningful, ensuring that anyone, regardless of academic background, could grasp the essence of my research at a glance.
To my fellow PGRs: I wholeheartedly encourage you to take part in opportunities like this. Events run by the Graduate School are fantastic for expanding your research visibility, building your confidence, and connecting with others in the PGR community. Even if you don’t win, the experience itself is invaluable. You never know what you’re capable of until you try.
Finally, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to my supervisory team: Associate Professor Dr Tatiana Gherman (First Supervisor), Dr James Mshelia (Second Supervisor), and Dr Nadeem Aftab (Director of Studies). Their guidance and encouragement have been instrumental throughout my PhD journey so far.
Blog post by: Henrietta Farrugia
Alicia de Barry – PhD Journey
My journey to get my PhD started in October 2016 when, along with my cohorts, I began the week-long induction course. This course was designed to introduce the fresh-faced PhD students to the rigors of PhD study, to help prepare them for what was to come, the good and the extremely frustrating. I recall being incredibly excited, it had taken me a long time to get here, and I was sure that my journey would be smooth, exciting and I would enjoy every second of it.
Armed with knowledge and understanding of research integrity, managing data, an emphasis on correct referencing, the importance of collaboration and continuous self-reflection on my learning, I felt prepared and raring to go. I had been supported from the get-go. Not long after finishing my MA with the Open University, I emailed Dr Jon Mackley who had been one of my lecturers during my undergraduate degree at Northampton, to ask for advice. He suggested that I might like to do my PhD at Northampton and I knew immediately that I would. I remembered the support, the expertise, and the general enjoyment I got out of my undergraduate degree and saw no reason why it would be different for my PhD. I found the application process fairly manageable and was absolutely delighted to find out that Dr Phillippa Bennett, the Programme Leader for BA English, Dr Jon Mackley, and later, Dr Richard Chamberlain, would be my supervisors. Their lectures and seminars when I was an undergraduate were amongst my favourite and I knew that I was in good hands. Indeed, one thing that my supervisors made very clear was that they were not just here to provide critical feedback on my work, they were also here to provide moral support, ensure I was looking after my mental wellbeing and to give me encouragement when I needed it. As a deaf person, they were more than happy to accommodate my needs, they provided detailed written feedback before and after each meeting to ensure that I had not missed anything that was said during our online collaborations. I was lucky in that I knew what my topic was and exactly what I wanted to research. As my topic was late Victorian and Edwardian fairy tales I needed to do a lot of digging into archives, journals, books from the period and newspapers, and as a PhD student at the University of Northampton I was granted access to numerous academic platforms such as, JSTOR, ProQuest and of course Northampton’s own digital library, NELSON. All these platforms provided me with excellent research resources that allowed me to develop my knowledge and deepen my understanding of my topic. For anyone thinking of doing a PhD with Northampton, I definitely recommend acquainting yourself with all the platforms and resources that the university has to offer. It was a sometimes frustrating process when I could not find what I wanted, or needed, or when I read a whole document only to find that it was not helpful, and therefore it felt like a waste of time, but even this provided me with an opportunity to fine tune my analytical and evaluation skills and select resources that really helped strengthen my argument. I also had numerous opportunities to visit the library at Northampton, particularly to pick up books or theses that were not available online. It was nice to have a reason to visit the university. I always felt like I belonged there, even though when I started I was at the old campus, Avenue! I did my thesis as a part-time student, and this was the best decision I made. It meant that I had the luxury of taking a break when I needed it, and I made sure that I took breaks, it was the only way to ensure I kept my sanity, and my vigour, for the duration of my research. Many people, and advice books, told me that a PhD thesis is a marathon and not a sprint, and I tried to keep this in mind throughout. Though it was hard to remember this after my 14th or 15th draft of my chapters! But, doing a PhD really is about pacing yourself, taking time, and speaking to your supervisors if you have any worries at all. When I submitted, it was a massive relief, albeit it was quickly followed up with anxiety. The day of my Viva, my supervisors were there to support me. Passing my Viva was a comfort but receiving the outcome Revise and Resubmit (R&R) was very hard to hear. I admit, I really struggled with this outcome, knowing that I had poured my heart and soul into this thesis for 6 years, only to be told that it was not good enough. I thought about cutting my losses and accepting an MPhil, but my supervisors really supported me and told me that the outcome is not unusual. They encouraged me to see that the examiners saw the potential in my project, it just needed a little more work. Eventually, emboldened and more determined, I responded to the examiners’ report and submitted a reworked thesis two years later. To me, Thesis 2.0 was even better. I am so proud of it, and now I feel like I really deserve the title of Dr because I have worked so hard, and so tirelessly for it. It took me eight years, floods of tears, hours of frustration, but also excitement when I found an article, enthusiasm when I spotted a quote, inspiration when I spoke with my supervisors, and love for my topic to get me where I am and when I received the email that I had been awarded a PhD I felt that proudest I have ever felt. To those who are thinking of doing a PhD, or who are currently doing a PhD, I can tell you now that it is worth it. They say that the best things take hard work and when you get that title that you worked so hard for, it is the most wonderful sense of achievement. During my redrafts, I found that I often cut out bits of arguments, removed quotes, and did not use all my notes; there may still be some use for them though. My thesis is only a small part of my exploration into my topic, and with the overabundance of research I have got, I think that writing papers might be the next step. For now though, I am currently basking in the afterglow of achieving my PhD and officially referring to myself as Dr de Barry!
Blog post written by: Alicia de Barry
Starting a PhD programme
For me, personally, starting a PhD programme seems like Pandora’s Box of secrets, the weighty lid of which excitement keeps firmly closed. Beyond these imaginings, however, the Postgraduate Research Student Induction event held over four consecutive days from Monday March 17 to Thursday March 20 provided paradisal calm. Its purpose, to introduce the rigours of academic life, the university’s pedagogical expectations, its rich research culture, and the library’s abundance of scholarly resources to attendees. Thanks to those who ran it, I now see a twinkle of light where before there were dark shadows of doubt.
As I strode through campus I stumbled across the Learning Hub and went inside. From then on the registration process proved plain sailing. Quick, efficient, and seamless for me. The warm and welcoming administrators immediately made me feel at ease. A short while later one of the facilitators came to greet us all in the atrium, his effervescent energy alleviating much of my first day nerves. It was clear from the start that everyone working on the Induction was invested in my progression to becoming a PhD candidate.
The Induction itself was full of comprehensive well-balanced overviews of essential elements, themes, and topics I will need to grapple with throughout my studies. Together with my cohort I explored the importance of research integrity, referencing, and data management and other such subjects. Each day followed a logical progression balancing presentations, workshops, and group discussions promoting periods of personal reflection and collaborative learning. The session which stood out for me most was the dreaded project presentations. Thankfully, an ethos of mutual respect, support and understanding was in the air. It was fascinating to learn about other peoples’ projects and their motivations for pursuing them.
As experienced public speakers all of the facilitators proved to be engaging in their delivery. Each captured our collective attention no matter the topic. Whether it was the Zotero reference management system or Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion for Researchers, it did not matter. The appropriate use of visuals, interactive group work and Q and A sessions proved to be extremely helpful when trying to comprehend, remember and recall key concepts that will surely later reveal themselves to be useful.
The fact that the Induction followed an in-person format rather than online or blended approach was of significant benefit to me. An in-person induction helped me to build strong bonds with my cohort. Indeed, a significant benefit from the induction was the opportunity to cultivate friendships and potential future working relationships. There were many group activities interspersed throughout each day with well-timed breaks for small talk. I had the opportunity to meet and work with everyone in my cohort at some stage on a task or while consuming coffee and biscuits.
In addition to meeting my cohort I learned who my subject specialist librarian is, the expertise of IT Services staff who I need when I just can’t get Word to work, and the fact that counselling and mental health professionals are at hand when the meltdown comes. There was also an effort to forge strong connections with current Postgraduate Reps who were further down the PhD road than myself. I now feel reassured that the academic and personal support is available to me should I have the need to cry out for help.
All in all my experience of the Postgraduate Research Student Induction was positive with my fear and foreboding abating for a short while at least. In all aspects the four days
exceeded my expectations and I left with a sense that although the road ahead will be bumpy the university has everything in place to make the journey as smooth as they are able. I would surely recommend the Induction. I am about to discover whether I would recommend pursuing a PhD.
Blog post written by: Michael Bowden
Research trip/Guilt trip
Mention a trip to the Arctic and people’s eyes generally widen a little. For some, the Arctic conjures images of heroic explorers manhauling sledges in a blizzard: for others, Instagram photos of the northern lights come to mind. Either way, visiting the far North has connotations of adventure, mystery, and perhaps, danger. When I explain the reason for the visit is to further my understanding of the lives of the women who have inhabited the Arctic, as part of my postgraduate research project, I get mixed responses.
I don’t need, or seek, other people’s approval, so why am I made to feel a little bit guilty about my self-funded, week-long research trip?
Firstly, it’s comments about my responsibilities. How on earth can my husband look after the dogs and carry out grandparent duties to our two-year-old grandson, as well as cook, clean, and get the shopping? I point out that my husband is extremely capable and hasn’t once complained about the hours I need to devote to my research. (Interestingly, he was never asked how I was managing when he was commuting to London to work twelve-hour shifts for the London Fire Brigade while I was going slightly insane looking after twin babies and a two-year-old toddler at home in Northampton.)
Secondly, maybe I’m just a product of an education system that was stuck in the past regarding women’s potential. My girls’ grammar school still taught how to make a bed, how to iron men’s trousers, and how to cook a nutritionally balanced three-course meal for a family. It wasn’t until my children were all at school that I decided I was worthy of studying for a degree. Despite going on to achieve my Master’s, am I still harbouring concerns that I’m over-reaching?
Yet, despite more guilt – this time about my carbon footprint – I boarded my WhizzAir flight to Tromso. I’d planned my research trip to coincide with the week of the Sami Festival, which gave me the opportunity to immerse myself in multiple cultural events: I learnt about the traditional Sami music, the joik, and went to a performance by a Sami choir ; I chatted to reindeer herders, who explained about the effects of climate change on their animals and their way of life; I practiced crafts at a workshop run by the Sami community, and I also spent hours in the numerous museums, researching not only about the lives of the Sami but also that of Wanny Wolstad, the first lady taxi driver in Tromso and the first female hunter-trapper of the high Arctic. It was invaluable to my research project to access such a wealth of historical artefacts and information.
And, yes, I witnessed the mysterious Northern Lights as they lit up the sky above the Lyngen Alps and, yes, I fell in love with the reindeer that were roaming the hills around the coastal village of Sommaroy, and, yes, I was emotionally moved by the sublime beauty of the snow-covered mountains and the ice-crusted fjords.
I don’t think I should feel guilty for any of that.
Blog post written by: Clare Moss
The PhD Process: Five years of banging on about the same thing
I initially became a student at the university way back in 2014, starting my BA in Media Production and Creative Writing; before then, I had held the belief that I had zero academic potential. Three years later, I had a First-Class degree and was pleased to have been proven wrong. It goes without saying that the first obvious step was continuing my education through a Masters, which I did, gaining an MA in Contemporary Literature at a Merit. I was burnt out at that stage. I knew I needed to take some time out from academia. So, I focused on my marketing career, developing and learning more about that.
Then Covid. It seems weird that the thing that put me back onto the research path was such a massive event; it impacted so many people in so many ways. For some, this impact was a heartbreaking loss or the struggle between distance and isolation. For me, I was made redundant – there was no need to market when the market was shut.
But redundancy was the catalyst. After some encouragement from my husband, I started drafting my research proposal. I already knew what topic I wanted to explore, so expanding that was easy…almost. It had been over two years since I had read critically and deliberately. But it was like slipping on an old, favourite jumper. In October 2020, I started my PhD.
I was unprepared for the next handful of years; I had committed to a part-time course, which meant 6 years. Tens of thousands of words in 6 years sounds straightforward at the start. In practice? Not so straightforward. But I was persistent – taking on the familiar adage which was repeated to me by every PhDer and numerous staff members – “it’s a marathon not a sprint”. Some years were more productive than others, it took me the whole of 2021 to get my literature review drafted, but in 2024 I drafted two of my analytical chapters. 2025 is off to a slow start, with me putting it on the back burn as work and personal situations took up more of my time. But I am looking at the finish line. It’s a year or so in front of me but within touching distance.
I was told that if I didn’t hate my subject by the end, I was doing the PhD wrong. This is meant to comfort people who have lost that passion. Spending half a decade with one topic is exhausting, particularly when the project’s scope has changed from what you initially plotted out.
My friends, I am pleased to say I am doing it wrong. I am still as fascinated by my subject as I was 5 years ago. But I am incredibly fortunate to have the time to do this, albeit squeezing it in the evenings and weekends or my lunch breaks if I have a deadline looming. My key lesson from nearly 5 years as a PhD student is that 5 years is not at all as long as I thought. I was the one who first thought about the project, shaped it, grew with it, changed
it, and I will be the one to complete it. I want to enjoy it. So, I have done everything I can to make this thesis the thing I still get excited about after all this time. I make pretty notes. I reward myself with lil treats when I finish a chapter draft, or do well in a supervisor meeting. But mostly, I don’t punish myself if I lag behind slightly or need more revisions – and yes this is what I am passionate about and I want to do well with. But we cannot be at 100%, 100% of the time.
So to anyone starting a PhD, or in the middle of one, or head-in-hand-just-had-enough of this thesis. Just take a breath and remember: it’s your project. You’re doing it!
Blog post written by: Bethany McTrustery
Claire’s Adventures in PhDland
It took me two years to get to my actual research question and to feel like I knew what I was trying to investigate. There were the obvious things of life – work, family, health, money – but I felt like I was wading in academic treacle to get anywhere. I went down what felt like thousands of rabbit holes, trying out different perspectives around my theme, and created a plethora of conceptual models (once I had figured out what one was). I read. A LOT. It felt very tangled and messy and, looking back on it, I needed all that time to get my head around what I was actually doing.
As I was working out what I was actually looking at, I talked to many many people. My supervisors, of course, held me accountable in academic terms to the level and quality of PhD research, even if they haven’t necessarily understood exactly what I was exploring at the time. My family often look at me as if I have finally lost it, particularly when I get excited about a bit of analysis that gives an interesting insight, but they also ask questions which make me think from a different perspective and bring me coffee too! My industry network is a fantastic sounding board, making sure that my research is grounded in practice and generating insight that is applicable and impactful for the events industry.
At various points through the process, new collaborators have emerged, offering opportunities to explore new areas or engage industry in my research in a different way. These have been, and are, incredibly exciting and perhaps a little distracting. It has led to me being part of a national network and now leading on their industry research activities, and I am part of a team developing AI-driven experiential learning to apply the findings of my research. However, all of this has taken a lot of time and energy and, at times, has torn me away from focusing on my research and prioritising it.
There is something wonderful about people being interested in one’s research and creating something that has value and impact on the industry that I love being part of. Inadvertently, I seem to have built a new reputation and profile for myself that is based on my brain and insights, less so on my event management skills and capabilities. Not having yet completed my PhD, I feel somewhat an imposter but I am taking a moment in this blog to realise how far I have come from those first months of nervous excitement and confusion as I started, through developing my question, to collecting data and now to analysis and writing up.
I know I still have a long way to go to complete my PhD but I know how I’m going to get there, which is more than I started with! To anyone else who feels a bit lost and overwhelmed with it, hang on in there, get support, lean on your support network, stay curious and focus on the goal whether it’s hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, yearly or in a lifetime.
Blog post written by: Claire Drakeley
UON Graduate School Blog 