1. Embarking on a career as a psychology researcher
Dr Emma Norris Research Associate, Centre for Behaviour #psychcareer

2. Coming up…… An honest reflection on my career to-date:
My journey so far
What does an academic research career look like?
Tips for boosting your CV

3. MSc Health Psychology 2011-12
My journey so far
BSc Psychology
Brunel University
MSc Health Psychology
UCL
PhD
Research Associate 2017 
UCL

4. Examples of my research
Health Psychology
Behaviour Change
Health Survey for England 2015

5. Synthesising what we know about behaviour change
Examples of my research
Designing & evaluating physical activity interventions
Synthesising what we know about behaviour change
Health Psychology
Behaviour Change

6. MSc Health Psychology 2011-12
My journey so far
BSc Psychology
Brunel University
MSc Health Psychology
UCL
PhD
Research Associate 2017 
UCL

7. Paper & grant application rejections
Not as simple as it seems…..
BSc Psychology
MSc Health Psychology
PhD
Research Associate 2017 
What degree?
What next?
What next? A PhD? Ahhh!!
What next?
What next?
MISC. PHD STRESS
Paper & grant application rejections

8. Some example routes to academic psychology research
Undergrad
Masters
PhD
Lecturer?
Professor?
Research Assistant
Psychology conversion course
Stage 2 training: Practitioner
Research Associate / Fellow
At all stages:
Full or part time
Work experience
Career break
Life!
Senior Researcher?

9. Some example routes to academic psychology research
Undergrad
Masters
PhD
Lecturer?
Professor?
Research Assistant
Psychology conversion course
Stage 2 training: Practitioner
Research Associate / Fellow
At all stages:
Full or part time
Work experience
Career break
Life!
Senior Researcher?

10. What is a PhD? Usually 3-4 years full-time, up to 8 years part-time
Student-led research on a specific topic area
A written document of up to ~100,000 words
PhD by publication: collection of published research, lower word-count

11. What is a PhD? Carry out research Literature review Write-up Viva
PhD upgrade
Submission
Carry out research
Literature review
Write-up
Viva
Corrections

12. Applying for a PhD Do your research!
Identify what you’re really interested in!
Do your research!
What universities, departments & staff do research that interests you?
Make contact & discuss ideas
1. Write your own research proposal
2. Apply for a PhD vacancy
Student-supervisor relationship is essential!

13. Some common PhD questions
Do I need to have a Masters degree?
Often no, but it helps you:
Be more informed on a subject
Know if research is right for you
Do I need research experience?
It depends!
More likely if your PhD offer includes teaching
If have identified a supervisor, ask for help securing funding
Self-funded study is an option
Will I get paid to do a PhD?

14. What can you do with a psychology PhD?
Research
Teaching
Consultancy
Academia
Academia
Academia
Industry
Schools
Industry
Policy / government
Policy / government
Charities
Charities

15. An example week for me as a post-doc

16. Tips for boosting your CV
What’s it in for you?
Find out what interests you
Build your skill-set
Make connections
Make yourself stand out!

17. Tip 1: Get some research experience
Psychology placements (UG/Masters degrees)
My experience: Teaching assistant for children with autism, Health Psychology Research Assistant
Now supervise placement students
Academic research jobs
Charity/Government/Industry research jobs
Voluntary work
A little goes a long way!
My experience: NHS Ward-based Patient Companion
UG/MSc thesis – get help from your supervisor to present work or turn into a paper

18. Academic papers / Conference abstracts
Tip 2: Write, write, write
Summarise your work, share your ideas or experiences & communicate to different audiences!
Academic papers
Abstracts to attend conferences
Academic papers / Conference abstracts
The Psychologist
Other publications
Blogs
UG/MSc thesis – get help from your supervisor to present work or turn into a paper

19. PsyPAG (Postgraduate) More specific organisations
Tip 3: Become a Representative
Your Uni
BPS (Undergraduate)
PsyPAG (Postgraduate)
More specific organisations

20. My Rep Roles BSc Psychology 2006-2010 MSc Health Psychology 2011-12
PhD
Research Associate 2017
PsyPAG Quarterly Editor
PsyPAG Chair
BPS Research Board Early Career Rep
2017 
BPS Standing Conference Committee Rep 2018 
UKSBM Early Career Rep
2017 

21. Tip 3: Become a Representative
What I’ve gained from being a Rep:
Working within national organisations
Supporting other psychologists
New opportunities
Judging on BPS Award schemes
Supporting big conferences
Time-management skills
Friends & collaborators
An invite to present here today! 

22. Tip 4: Embrace social media
An information stream – events, jobs, free conference places
Networking
- Break through academic hierarchy!
Sharing ideas
“Never say anything on Twitter that you wouldn’t be willing to say in-person, out loud, to a room of your colleagues.”
@EJ_Norris #psychcareer

23. Tip 5: Use your UG university’s careers service
Universities typically offer access to Careers support after graduation
You can also access if working as staff at a university
CV support
Application writing
Interview practice
Secures you one-to-one support to identify your next steps

24. The Psychologist magazine
Final tip: Join the BPS
Funding
Unique opportunities
Careers support
Events
The Psychologist magazine

25. Summing up…… My journey so far
What does an academic research career look like?
A taster of academic psychology routes
Insight into PhD applications & progress
Tips for boosting your CV

26. Summing up……

27. Thanks for listening!
Dr Emma Norris Research Associate, Centre for Behaviour #psychcareer