3. • I left Farnborough Sixth Form College in 2009, after which I completed my undergraduate
degree in Psychology at the University of Surrey. I then completed a Master’s degree in
Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry at King’s College London, where I am now
completing my doctorate (Ph.D).
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• As a Ph.D. Student Researcher in the area of Social Cognitive Neuroscience, I spend my
time researching how the brain relates to human social behaviour. This involves reading
journals, designing experiments with a team of researchers, testing participants, analysing
data and writing publishable reports to answer exciting questions about human behaviour.
• I love the independence and flexibility of my role to carry out my own psychological
research, whilst working under the supervision of experts in the field. Rather than being
assessed via exams and essays as in my Psychology A-Level, I now enjoy presenting my
research findings to other scientists at conferences as well as writing reports to publish in
scientific journals.
• Psychology makes up the basis of my chosen career. I first developed a passion for
Psychology whilst studying for my A-Levels, during which I learnt many of the skills I use in
my job every day. These include how to read and learn about psychology experiments and
how to evaluate and think critically about study designs.
• I chose the University of Surrey for my Psychology Bachelor’s degree as I really loved the
idea of their research placement year, during which I worked at the Institute of Psychiatry
in London. I then chose to study for my M.Sc. and Ph.D. at King’s College London, at the
Institute of Psychiatry Campus, as I was really interested in taking a clinical stance to my
research and I wanted to work specifically with my current supervisor.
• I highly recommend a career in research and psychology!!
4. • Additional information:
• Calthorpe Park School, Fleet (2002 – 2007)
• Farnborough Sixth Form College (2007 – 2009)
• A-Levels in Psychology, Biology, Chemistry and
German
• B.Sc. in Psychology (University of Surrey, 2009 –
2013)
• M.Sc. in Social, Genetic & Developmental
Psychiatry (King’s College London, 2013 – 2014)
• Ph.D. in Social Cognitive Neuroscience (King’s
College London, 2014 – present)
• Research team website:
https://sites.google.com/site/geoffbirdlab/home
6. • What does it involve on a day to day basis?
• Working with students thinking about college and assisting their decision
making by providing them with advice and guidance. I also teach
Psychology units of our BTEC in Forensic Science and the GCSE pathway.
• What you enjoy about your current role?
• Working with young people is incredibly rewarding. It enables you to play a
large part in shaping their choices in education and their future ambitions.
Psychology has also fascinated me so it’s great to pass on my knowledge
• How Psychology has helped in your chosen career?
• I love Psychology, it encompasses almost everything because it is the study
of human behaviour; from how we interact, make decisions and deal with
others to overcoming our own demons and anxieties. It has helped me
understand and make sense of other people and to see things from
different perspectives. It also helps more than a bit with life in general!
• Any specific skills you developed during the A-Level Psychology course?
• Yes, the memory capacity required to memorise and comprehend all 20
core studies is one. I hugely enjoyed the Criminal Psychology units which
well prepared me for my degree.
7. • What school did you go to?
• Cove School
• What A-Levels did you take?
• Psychology, Media, Geography, Law
• What degree course did you take?
• BSc (Hons.) Criminology and Criminal Justice
Studies
