Bradley Tombleson BSc Population & Geography , 2017
PhD Gerontology
Bradley started his journey at the University of Southampton with a BSc Population & Geography in 2014, he then studied for an MSc Social Research Methods (Gerontology) in 2018 and is now studying for a PhD Gerontology.
Bradley took part in the Xiamen Summer School in his second undergraduate year, an experience that he found very rewarding "After the Summer School, I was fortunate enough to deliver an academic presentation to colleagues at the China Population and Development Research Center in Beijing. My first trip to China was certainly an experience that I will never forget"
Take advantage of every opportunity that Southampton offers you, be they academic or extra-curricular, and you will reap the rewards for years to come.
Why did you choose to come and study at Southampton?
I chose to study at Southampton for many reasons. First, my undergraduate degree programme was the only one of its kind in the country; it offered the perfect balance between geography and demography. The flexibility of my course was also important to allow me to tailor my degree to suit my needs and interests.
Second, being part of the prestigious Russell Group means that teaching is led by research that is often ground-breaking. This undoubtedly made a considerable difference to my learning experience as I benefited from exposure to novel, high-calibre research and the impressive (public and private) networks of the teaching staff.
Above all, the quality of the teaching staff in the department surpassed that of other universities that I visited prior to embarking on my undergraduate career. Not only were they incredibly knowledgeable and engaging, but they were extremely welcoming and approachable too. This mattered hugely to me as I could be confident that I was going to enjoy learning from dedicated and enthusiastic staff.
Also, the range of extra-curricular opportunities offered by Southampton was fantastic. From university employment and volunteering, to frequent subject-specific events and guest lectures, to various travel-opportunities such as summer schools, fieldtrips and studying abroad.
What were my first impressions of Southampton? This is a university that puts effort into making every student’s experience as rewarding (and worthwhile) as possible.
Having been part of the Southampton community for four years, I believe all of this to be true. If this was not the case, I would not still be studying here! Southampton staff are genuinely keen to see students optimise their time here, both academically and professionally. They have all made significant investments in my education and for that, I am truly grateful.
What were your Southampton ‘highlights’ (best experiences)?
Xiamen:
The Xiamen Summer School was undoubtedly a highlight for me. I took part in the Summer School during my second undergraduate year.
Having been fascinated by China since my formative years, this was an incredibly rewarding experience for me. I was immersed in Chinese culture from start to finish. In just ten days, I had been introduced to Chinese language, history, art, theatre, music, and food. I received first-hand insights into the culture and history thanks to the organised trips that involved travelling around the Fujian province. From the ancient Kaiyuan temple to the stunning and serene landscapes of the Wuyi mountains and Gulangyu island off the coast of Xiamen.
During the Summer School, I learnt a great deal about the Chinese economy and the role it plays amidst the wider economic network of Asia. As a demographer, I also relished the chance to quiz the lecturers at Xiamen University about the Chinese population and how a rapidly ageing country could lead to both economic challenges and opportunities. Owing to this Summer School, I created friendships that will, I’m sure, last a lifetime. In fact, I am still in regular contact with the friends I made in Xiamen.
After the Summer School, I was fortunate enough to deliver an academic presentation to colleagues at the China Population and Development Research Center in Beijing. My first trip to China was certainly an experience that I will never forget!
What other activities did you take advantage of while at University?
I also took part in the International Social Innovation Challenge, which was held at O.P. Jindal Global University (Delhi, India). Students from India, Pakistan and the UK worked together to propose local solutions to the global issue of gender inequity. More specifically, we worked to devise projects that would enhance personal security and educational attainment.
Another highlight was a fieldtrip to Accra, Ghana. This fieldtrip was designed to test the knowledge and skills acquired throughout my undergraduate degree. I was tasked with collecting first-hand data through interviewing residents of the rural village, Totope, regarding the implications of climate change and sea level rise on their everyday lives. Not only that but I worked with colleagues from the Regional Institute of Population Studies to analyse data on the impact of parental educational attainment on child education and household income.
Immersing myself in these entirely different cultures has been the most valuable experience of my university career. As a result of the breadth and depth of my global experience – and from working in diverse teams and in diverse contexts – I have been able to develop my cultural intelligence enormously.
Being involved in the Students’ Union was also a highlight of my degree. I learnt to manage teams, evaluate and improve university policies, lobby for large-scale change and hold senior management to account.
What did you enjoy most about your course?
What have I most enjoyed about my course? The exceptionally high-quality teaching and close-knit community of staff and students. Staff will frequently go out of their way to ensure that everyone has a sound understanding of course content.
The research-led teaching meant that courses were often directly relevant to contemporary global affairs, and as students, we were sometimes the first to set eyes on high-profile publications.
Flexibility in the curriculum meant that contemporary global affairs – such as the EU refugee crisis, Ebola and Zika outbreaks, and the re-emergence of the Mexico City Policy – featured in many courses. This helped make Population and Geography both captivating and relevant.
Of course, the opportunity to apply my learning on a fieldtrip to Ghana was the greatest highlight of all. An incredible amount was learnt in such a short space of time, both technical (interviewing, data collection and analysis) and transferable skills (intercultural communication, teamwork, rapport-building, and tact and discretion).
How did your time at Southampton help you to grow as a person and help you get to where you are now?
I have developed enormously since I first arrived at the University. Perhaps the most obvious area is the growth in my confidence. I have achieved things I would never have imagined possible before joining.
In terms of my transferable skills, I am now a capable team leader as well as independent researcher; I am accustomed to speaking in public settings; I can write not only for academic purposes but for professional and blogging purposes too.
Population and Geography excels in delivering depth and breadth of technical skills. As a graduate of this programme, I am now adept at applying geographic skills such as GIS; statistical analysis skills including SPSS; and demographic skills related to life tables, cohort component models, and migration estimations.
I have become familiar with numerous subject-specific computer applications (e.g. SPSS, STATA, ArcGIS, SPSS and NVivo).
In fact, I started my undergraduate journey with a strong dislike for statistics, having gained a grade C for GCSE mathematics and avoided the subject since. Now, having completed a quantitative (numerical data-based) dissertation as part of my undergraduate and masters programmes, I am now a confident statistician.
What advice would you give to a student starting their degree at Southampton?
Take advantage of every opportunity that Southampton offers you, particularly the extra-curricular opportunities. Gaining (applied/practical) experience outside of your degree programme is vital to help maximise your employability