This week’s episode focuses on the experience of Sam Belfrage a full time PhD student at the University of Winchester, in the Faculty of Health and Well-being. Sam identifies as a working class academic and first generation university student. Her research is exploring community based interventions to improve health literacy, with a focus on parents of pre-school children.

Sam talks about the experience of coming from a family that didn’t really value education and how that impacted on her journey through A Levels and her degree.

Sam shares the message that failing at any point in your academic journey doesn’t mean you’re not cut out for it.

Sam’s story illustrates how work-based experience provided the foundation for her PhD project.

We talk about the importance of role models and Sam encourages others to reach out for help and seek a support network. Sam has found the Association of Working Class Academics @AWCAcademics a really helpful resource.

Sam’s twitter handle is: @slhibberd

Would you like more? Each week we send out ‘Notes from the Life Raft’ - you can sign up here and have a really useful email to support and inspire you on your PhD journey delivered right to your in-box:https://mailchi.mp/f2dce91955c6/notes-from-the-life-raft

Being a Working Class PhD Student with Sam Belfrage