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Rachel Perowne, Behaviour Change MSc
Who did you find inspiring at UCL and why?
Obviously my supervisor, Professor Leslie Gutman, had been a huge inspiration and support to me - she is the Programme Director of the MSc Behaviour Change and also my current PhD supervisor. However, the person who inspired me to pursue an MSc in UCL is a Professor within the Institute of Neurology - Professor Sanjay Sisodiya. I worked with Sanjay at the Epilepsy Society and I was blown away by the work he was doing in genomics and personalised medicine to transform the lives of people with epilepsy. His passion for research, learning and discovery was so infectious that it inspired me back to academia!
What is your fondest memory of your time here?
My MSc journey was a strange one as Covid lockdown happened a few months in to my studies. I was just starting to find my feet - the MSc Behaviour Change team is brilliant at putting on social and networking events so there had been lots of opportunities to make new connections and take advantage of all the extra events that UCL put on for students to expand their knowledge. I was so pleased to return to in person learning and my best memories have definitely been spending time with my peers, sharing experiences and learning from some incredible people. The MSc has a great range of modules to choose from - I really enjoyed the combination of theoretical modules (such as Behaviour Change Theories and Models) and also the more applied and practical ones such as Intervention Development. But the choice of electives modules was also really interesting and a great way to learn about something completely different like Systems Thinking and System Dynamics.
Tell us a bit about the work you're doing now...
I loved my MSc so much that I decided to apply for a PhD. I'm now more than two years in and it's been a fantastic experience so far. I've learned so much, had some papers published and I'm on the home straight now! My research is all about young people's involvement in mental health research. I've enjoyed utilising different study designs (a Delphi study, a systematic review and also qualitative studies) in my different projects and I have involved young people throughout my research which has been especially rewarding.
How did your UCL degree help you get to where you are now?
My MSc was my gateway to the PhD. I wouldn't be doing my PhD without my MSc and without the support of my supervisors, Professor Leslie Gutman and Dr Sarah Rowe.
What have been your career highlights?
I've had a very varied career - working in the commercial world, the public sector, for charities and now back in academia. It's hard to pick out a highlight but I'm certainly loving what I'm doing right now. The freedom and incredible learning you get from a PhD is like nothing else. It's so exciting to be finding new knowledge and sharing that with the academic community and beyond.
What would be your advice for current students?
Studying for an MSc at UCL is an incredible opportunity - not just to gain expertise in your discipline but also beyond. UCL has so much to offer in free talks and lectures, opportunities to volunteer and gain hands on experience and to build valuable networks and connections. My advice would be make the most of it - it will be over before you know it!