Bradley - Sport and Exercise PhD

What stands out to me most when I reflect on my time at Chester is the vibrant community of staff and peers that supported me through my PhD studies. Having been at the University from undergraduate through to Master's and PhD, the University of Chester became like a second home to me. I had the support of so many wonderful staff members with a variety of research perspectives throughout my time there. My supervisors (Prof. Daniel Bloyce and Dr Nollaig McEvilly) were outstanding, providing extremely personable support throughout the PhD process. The research knowledge exchange institutes helped me to approach ideas differently, challenged me to try new things and supported my development. My peers, again from across research areas, made my experience fun and drove me to succeed by challenging my ideas and generally having a laugh with each other. This came about through the deliberate and careful work of the postgraduate research team (led by Prof. Wayne Morris), who enabled connections to other students and developed a research culture that allowed me to thrive.

The University enabled me to establish external connections by presenting my research at a range of conferences and making connections that have resulted in my employment post-graduation. My supervisors and friends continue to support me with publications and research.

My most significant memories (out of so many throughout my time) were with some of the Sport and Exercise Sociology staff. My supervisory meetings were always thought-provoking and entertaining thanks to the quality of my team. They helped me expand upon and explore really challenging topics in such an informal and helpful way – there is no chance I would have completed my PhD without them.

One memory which summarises Chester is the Sport and Exercise staff's approach when I was an undergraduate and I had a question after a lecture. The lecturer made time immediately and we sat in the Binks Café for over an hour as they explained this concept in depth until it clicked for me. This was the point at which I became interested in sports sociology and now I teach it myself. The dedication and aura of the department in this regard is second to none, any of the lecturers will make time for their students and this culture benefitted me endlessly from undergraduate to PhD completion. I cannot commend them enough.

The photo featured here is of the wonderful team of PGR (postgraduate research) students that I was part of when delivering PARC in my final few years at the University. These are just some of the fantastic people from across the University that made it feel like home.

Since graduating, I have started a lecturing role at Loughborough College, where I support students across sport sociology and development courses. I aspire to be like some of the fantastic academics who have shaped my development at Chester.