Invaluable experience working as part of a research team
Why did you choose to do your PhD in the Department of Economics at the University of Sheffield?
After completing my undergraduate degree in Economics at the University of Sheffield, I decided to apply to do a masters and PhD in the department. I had taken a number of applied microeconomics courses during my undergraduate study, including the economics of education, labour economics and wellbeing economics, which had left me very interested in undertaking research within these topics myself.
I was particularly interested in research in Education specifically in how family, home and school characteristics and circumstances affected individual outcomes.
"I was also able to select and undertake training during my PhD that was specific to my research and interests; this provided me with the chance to visit other universities whilst training courses were also offered within the department and university."
Emily McDool
PhD student
The Department of Economics at the University of Sheffield was a particularly good fit for my research interests given the expertise and experience of the academic staff, not only in the field of education but in applied microeconomic topics more generally.
What would you say were the highlights of your PhD?
There were plenty of opportunities to learn from others’ research, such as through our weekly departmental seminars, and from guest speakers hosted by the departmental, for example at the annual Knoop lecture and workshops hosted by research centres within the department such as InstEAD and CVER.
I was also able to select and undertake training during my PhD that was specific to my research and interests; this provided me with the chance to visit other universities whilst training courses were also offered within the department and university.
Alongside my research, I was able to gain experience and training in teaching by acting as a tutor for undergraduate tutorials and assisting with Stata computer labs. This allowed me to expand my skills outside of research and gain experience in teaching in HE.
How will or has your PhD help you in your career?
Towards the end of my PhD, I was given the opportunity to assist with a research project with other academic members of the department.
This role provided me with invaluable experience of working as part of a research team and as a research assistant which I really enjoyed.
This prompted me to apply for a full-time Research Associate role within the department which I started just before completing my PhD; once completing this project I started my current role as a Research Associate for Centre for Vocational Education Research (CVER).