Could you briefly introduce yourself, your background before starting your PhD, and your research topic at King’s?
I grew up in South Africa, where the amazing flora and fauna inspired me to study botany as an undergraduate. After moving to the UK in the early 1990s, I worked in scientific publishing before spending five years at the Science Museum. While there, I completed an MSc in Science Communication at Imperial College London, which led to a part-time teaching role which suited me very nicely whilst I had young children. As my children grew up, my role expanded. I coordinated humanities courses for science students across the university. I developed a medical humanities course, which has become an intercalated BSc in humanities, philosophy and law, for which I am the pathway lead.
My PhD explored the expression and reception of gratitude in healthcare. I was concerned about declining morale among healthcare providers, so I investigated how healthcare environments might value expressions of gratitude – not only complaints – as meaningful forms of feedback.
What attracted you most to King’s for your doctoral studies?
I had previously very much enjoyed studying part-time for an MA in literature and medicine at King’s. On returning, I discovered – to my amusement – that I still owed the library 20 pence, an outstanding debt from fifteen years earlier that had to be settled before I could borrow any books. The London location of King’s meant I could continue to work at Imperial part-time while carrying out my research. The emphasis on interdisciplinarity at King’s also attracted me, along with the chance to work with eminent researchers in the Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care.
How did King’s support you throughout your PhD journey, especially when conducting research abroad or remotely?
Although I had not planned to study remotely, the pandemic made this necessary. The Faculty helped by inviting doctoral researchers to divisional meetings, which reduced isolation and strengthened our sense of belonging to the research community. I also took part in the King’s Culture at Home programme – a stimulating online course – and benefitted from numerous opportunities to attend and present at online seminar series.
Can you share how your PhD research is making a real-world impact?
My study was primarily a theoretical exploration of gratitude rather than a practical intervention, so its direct impact is not easy to gauge. However, at a time when healthcare systems worldwide face immense pressures, recognising moments of generosity and affirmation feels especially valuable. On a personal level, the PhD has had a profound impact on my understanding of qualitative research and the way I approach my academic work.
What are your current roles or next steps after completing your PhD? How is your career progressing?
I retained my role as Principal Teaching Fellow at Imperial whilst studying, but my role has subsequently increased to include a leadership role for professional skills for a new MSci in Medical Science and Innovation. I have also started a special interest group in playful learning. Undertaking the PhD was a great for my professional and personal development – being a student again gave me a very useful perspective from which I feel I am able to support my own students and colleagues better.
Have you published your research in any high-impact (Q1) journals? If yes, could you share some details?
Yes, I have published in three Q1 journals. Studying part-time gave me the flexibility to submit papers during the course of my PhD rather than waiting until the end. Having these publications in place, along with a chapter in a scholarly book, by the time I came to write my thesis provided reassurance about the quality and significance of my work.