Case Studies

Why study at Queen Margaret University?

LIANNE CARROLL
Lianne Carroll, a speech and language therapist from Massachusetts, USA had reached a point in her career where she wanted to add to the scientific knowledge of the field in which she works. Lianne, currently on leave of absence from her job in the States, started at Queen Margaret in January 2004, studying full-time for a PhD in Speech and Language Sciences, specialising in children with autism. Her supervisor is Professor Fiona Gibbon.

What was it that attracted her to Queen Margaret? “Speech and Language Sciences is very well regarded and they are doing wonderful research in the area of autism and other subjects, which is very exciting.

“I'd also been to Edinburgh before and really loved the city. It's such a walkable, friendly place and believe it or not, I think the weather is fantastic, although others might disagree. Also the accessibility to Europe and the opportunity to take trips around Scotland is great.”

Lianne was originally self-funding her PhD but one of her supervisors recently recommended her for a bursary, provided by the Sick Kids Friends' Foundation, which is now paying for her
tuition and fees for three years.

“Anyone self-funding a PhD should make sure they have the finances in place as it can be an expensive, although worthwhile decision.”

Lianne finds the work load very manageable but challenging. In addition to her PhD, she is working one day a week as a research assistant on 'The Prosody in Aspergers Project', funded by the Economic and Social Research Council.

And what does the future hold? “A PhD definitely broadens one's horizon. I may go back to my job but then again, I may continue in the research field. Ultimately I would like to teach at university when I am too old to play on the floor as a therapist with other young students.”

FRANCIS FATOYE
“Upon completing a BSc in Physiotherapy in 1991 at the University of Ibadan in Nigeria, I worked in clinical practice at the State House Clinic, the Office of the President, Nigeria, before undertaking an MSc in Sports Medicine at the University of Nottingham in 2003.”

Francis Fatoye's full-time research is developing an assessment strategy for children diagnosed with Hypermobility Syndrome (HMS). A collaborative project between the NHS and Queen Margaret, it will try to identify the impairments and level of the quality of life associated with Hypermobility Syndrome in children and will go a long way to help children diagnosed with this problem in planning the treatment methods used. Francis' incentive to study this area, stems from the fact that Hypermobility Syndrome is more prevalent in Africans than in other Western races.

“Working with children is hugely satisfying - I have two of my own - and providing valuable research that will assist children from my country of origin, is a great motivator.”

Francis was attracted to Queen Margaret as it “has an excellent reputation in physiotherapy, both nationally and internationally and the people in Edinburgh are so friendly. Also the opportunity for funding might have played some factor.”

With an 8 year old son and 5 year old daughter, it can be difficult to balance the commitments of a family and PhD but Francis and his family are very involved in the Apolystical Church and African and Caribbean Christian Fellowship, which has provided a good source of new supportive friends.

“The work load is very intense but manageable and I have a dedicated and experienced supervisory team, who have been excellent in giving the necessary support.

“You should be prepared to work hard and independently to an appropriate level, maintaining good working relationships with supervisors and colleagues and setting realistic deadlines. Also having a sound grasp of new technology is useful - I could barely use a computer when I first came to the UK.”

MAJELLA SWEENEY
Majella's decision to study at Queen Margaret, on the recommendation of a lecturer from her HND course in Northern Ireland, has more than lived up to her expectations. From Strabane, County Tyrone, Majella came to QM as a 3rd year direct entry student on the Tourism Management BA Hons, graduating in 2003. Now in her 3rd year of a full-time PhD, it is due for completion in September 2006.

“It's such a beautiful place to live and is more like a big town, rather than a city,” explains Majella. “My research is in the School of Business and Enterprise, in hospitality, where I'm investigating the host's relationship with their commercial home.

“I'm sponsored by the School and it is one of only two that is given out annually for research into areas that Queen Margaret is particularly interested in. I'm really lucky to have been chosen as there's no way that I would be able to fund a PhD myself. My tuition fees are covered and I receive a monthly subsistence allowance. In return I am required to do a small amount of part-time lecturing, which has been really interesting.”

“You need to be very disciplined so you don't fall behind but at least I'm lucky in that I am still young and don't have the added responsibilities of a family, which some research students have to contend with.”

In the future, Majella would like to travel. “I'm hoping to present a paper at CAUTHE (Council for Australian University Tourism and Hospitality Education Inc) in Melbourne, one of the
leading hospitality and tourism conferences in the world, providing I can secure some funding. It's a great chance for networking and who knows what opportunities will open up - possibly a job in academia or even further research.”

ANSUMANA BOCKARIE
Ansumana Bockarie from Sierra Leone, completed a Masters at Queen Margaret in 2003 and is currently studying full-time for a PhD in International Health. Funded by QM, he is due to complete it in 2007.

A medical doctor with a first degree in Human Biology and then more latterly in Clinical Medicine from the University of Science and Technology in Ghana, Ansumana is undertaking research in 'Rehabilitating Health Systems in Post Conflict Countries.' His supervisor is
Suzanne Fustukian.

And the reasons for his research? Ansumana's birth country, Sierra Leone, has spent the last 10 years involved in a civil conflict, which has devastated the health systems. Now the conflict is over, there is a real need to rebuild them.

“My research will concentrate on countries like Sierra Leone that have suffered similar turmoil yet have successfully rebuilt their health systems, in the hope that we can apply these lessons to Sierra Leone. On completing my research, I will return home and work in clinical medicine but I intend to continue research into health policy and in the long term, work with the University of Sierra Leone and the Ministry of Health's policy and planning unit.”

What was it that attracted Ansumana to QM for his postgraduate studies? “Queen Margaret has an excellent reputation and is one of only three schools in the UK that I know of that offers International Health - rather than Public Health. I also knew and liked Edinburgh as I had
undertaken an elective at the Western General Hospital, as part of my Clinical Medicine degree.”

Ansumana has the following advice for any prospective student who is on the point of applying for postgraduate study - to organise your funding before you start.

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