Rachael Murray | Postgraduate Student of the Year

How do you feel about winning Postgraduate Student of the Year?

It was a huge surprise — I really wasn’t expecting it. I was nominated by my consultancy supervisors at North Yorkshire Sport, where I now work full time, after completing my dissertation on the barriers mothers face when trying to be physically active.

I first joined North Yorkshire Sport during a three-month placement while studying BSc (Hons) Sports Development. After that, I was offered employment. As part of my Masters in Sports Development and Management, I was able to integrate my consultancy project into my work as the Health & Wellbeing Officer. The aim was to identify and analyse new mothers’ systemic barriers when engaging in physical activity.

Tell us more about the dissertation you accomplished and how it’s fed into your work at North Yorkshire Sport

My dissertation was a huge piece of work during my Masters in Sports Development and Management. I spoke to around 30 mothers in Scarborough and Selby, North Yorkshire Sport’s place-based areas to see how NYS can better support and address localised needs. I also interviewed practitioners delivering programmes for mums and new mums.

The whole process took around eight months, from contacting mothers and organising focus groups, to gathering their views and turning the data into something meaningful that could create real change.

What practical changes have come from your dissertation?

One of the biggest findings was that mums felt the advice they received from healthcare practitioners — midwives, GPs, health visitors — rarely focused on physical activity. They weren’t being told when they could safely exercise after giving birth, what types of activity were appropriate, or how to rebuild confidence with their body. Guidance tended to focus on the baby rather than the mother. Even when pelvic floor exercises were mentioned, there was often no explanation or demonstration.

The findings are invaluable. They have been used both internally and externally to support mothers to engage in physical activity. For example, when designing facilities,the findings have been used to ensure toilet doors are wider enough for prams to fit through. Many mums were telling me how they’d have to leave their pram outside the toilets and risk it being stolen, or even change their babies on the floor as there aren’t enough baby-change facilities.

These findings were also shared with North Yorkshire County Council, who said they would use them to inform future public facilities. They may seem like small changes, but together they can significantly improve mums’ lives at a systemic level.

The judging panel at the Awards for Excellence said they were impressed by how my dissertation had already led to tangible, real-world outcomes. It’s also in the process of being published as an academic journal article titled '“It’s just not a priority” — An Analysis of New Mothers’ Barriers to Physical Activity Participation'.

Amazing! What would be your standout achievement in the findings being implemented?

A dissertation is something many students dread — 12,000 words is no small task. For mine to turn into something that could genuinely change people’s lives feels incredible. Knowing it didn’t just disappear into the abyss but has become something impactful is something I’m really proud of.

It’s not just a case of “I’ve done my dissertation, that’s it.” It’s become a project that keeps growing and continues to make a difference.

What was it like juggling the priorities of work and study?

Honestly, it was challenging — especially during my Masters. My undergraduate degree felt manageable, but during my Masters I was working four days a week and studying on top of that.

It was a lot, but because my dissertation was linked to North Yorkshire Sport, I could carry out the data collection during work hours. The writing still had to be done in my own time, which was tough, but doable.

It felt rewarding knowing that everything I was doing was contributing to my professional development and helping improve people’s lives, at the same time as working. New mothers face significant inequalities, and North Yorkshire’s statistics were below the national average, so the work is important too.

What’s your hope for the future with the project and future?

I don’t want the project to stop here. We’ve gathered so much valuable data, and we want to keep using it to make a difference. The work is continuing to grow, and more people are using the findings in real life scenarios — including healthcare practitioners who can now plan their provision more effectively.

An infographic of the main findings of the study is currently being developed, so that healthcare professionals, practitioners, stakeholders and partners can easily refer and ensure their provision and ways of working are keeping mums as the priority and at the forefront of their minds. My hope is that this will ensure practitioners and providers feel more confident to support mums in being physically active.

In terms of my own future, I’d love to move into public health. I want to continue working in sport and physical activity, whether that’s through active partnerships, local councils, or community development. I find it incredibly rewarding.

What would be your top employment advice for future students and graduates?

For me, there are two key strands.

First, if your degree includes a placement or consultancy project, make the most of it. Choose something you’re genuinely interested in — or something completely new. Don’t just stick to what you already know. You don’t know the opportunities that are out there if you do that.

Secondly, use your networks. I got my job through my lecturer at university. Speak to your lecturers, connect with people, and find out who’s available to support you. It’s one of the best ways to get your foot in the door.

Dissertations are long and challenging, but I’m proof that they can become something you’re truly proud of. If you can, choose a consultancy or placement — it can open so many doors and help shape both your academic and professional journey moving forward.