Matt  Owens MSc Research Methods and PhD

Postdoctoral researcher, University of Cambridge

Studying at Southampton was a great experience with good lecturers being informed by their own state-of-the art research.

Q: Why did you choose to undertake your research with the University of Southampton?

I chose to carry out my postgraduate studies at the psychology department primarily as a result of the excellent reputation Southampton had as a research led university producing high quality research. I wanted to work with my PhD supervisors.

In addition, my studies were part funded by the ESRC which was great and there was also an MSc in Research Methods in place at Southampton which was a good qualification to work towards as well as being good preparation for my PhD studies.

Q: What did you enjoy about studying at Southampton?

Studying at Southampton was overall a great experience with good lecturers being informed by their own state-of-the art research. The active research environment in the research group that I was a member of was an excellent place to learn more about the academic process and keep myself informed on the most current research in my area.

Whilst studying, I lived close to the university which was nice and I enjoyed the green surroundings provided by the campus.

Q: What have you been able to achieve as a result of studying at the University of Southampton?

As a result of my thesis work I was successful in publishing several articles in peer-reviewed journals along with my supervisors as co-authors, which has been invaluable in my career development.

After completing my MSc and PhD at Southampton I moved to the University of Cambridge to take up a postdoctoral position analysing data for a large community study, which has the aim of understanding more about the proximal and distal contributing factors to psychiatric problems. The tools that I learned during my time at Southampton have proved to be important in my current work at Cambridge.