Dr Ava Mason is a trainee clinical psychologist at the University of Oxford, and a former PhD student at UCL. Her goal is to make scientific knowledge accessible to all, by making research-based videos on the neuroscience and psychology behind various mental health topics. In her DClinPsy and PhD playlists, Ava shares experiences from her studies from undergraduate to doctorate level, providing tips and giving a personal insight into what it’s like at every step.
In this film, Ava shares her journey through her PhD and experiences of undertaking a PhD at UCL. Ava outlines the five studies that formed the core of her research, including a systematic review, questionnaires, memory tasks, clinical interviews, and neuroimaging. Her mixed-methods approach provided her with diverse skills across multiple research areas.
She also reflects on her PhD application process, which involved self-funding, identifying research interests, and securing a supervisor. Ava discusses the impact of starting her PhD during the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to unique challenges and opportunities for building a social network.
Throughout her PhD, Ava has embraced various opportunities, including presenting at international conferences, taking on teaching and research assistant roles, and participating in an exchange program at Yale. She shares insights on the skills she developed, such as organisation, coding, and neuroimaging, and emphasizes the importance of saying yes to opportunities that align with her professional and personal growth.
Follow Ava as she plans to bridge the gap between research and clinical practice by pursuing a Clinical Psychology training at Oxford. This video provides an insightful look into the experiences and growth of a PhD student navigating academic life at UCL – something for you to consider?
Dr Clíona Farrell
Dementia Researcher
Dr Beth Eyre
Dr Jodi Watt
Rebecca Williams