Gemma Rides (She/Her) is a PhD researcher and Teaching Associate in the Department of Psychology at Royal Holloway, University of London. She is interested in the relationship between adolescents' social media use and mental health. Her PhD research is focused on understanding the links between adolescents' online social communicative behaviour, in particular their use of likes, comments and shares, and levels of anxiety and depression. Follow Gemma on ​Twitter: @Gemma_Rides

PhD in Later Life: It’s Never Too Late To Be a Student

This article explores the experience of doing a part-time distance PhD in later life. The author’s age was an advantage, allowing them to focus on their thesis without distractions or major hiccups. The article reflects on how to make for a smooth doctorate – emphasising the importance of strong interest in your topic, supervisors who are easy to work with, and a bit of luck!

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Travelling, Working, And Returning To Academia

A former history MA graduate, Jim Hulbert, recounts how he went from traveling to working, and returning to academia. After some years of working, he decided to pursue a PhD, a journey that was jumpstarted during the COVID-19 pandemic when he was furloughed from work.

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