Leeds Beckett student and lecturer completes PhD in nutrition and dietetics

She managed by juggling the different aspects of life including family, house moves (there’ve been two since she started her PhD), day jobs and everything else that comes with life – as well as going through the pandemic.

“I scheduled work that needed full concentration on an evening when the children were in bed and tried to get other tasks that didn’t need brain power done through the day.

“Mindset was really crucial. I didn’t let any doubt creep into my mind that I couldn’t do it all. I made it entirely non-negotiable in my mind and by doing that you find a way to make it happen. It’s a process I’ve repeated for multiple goals throughout my life, and it works for me.”

Elizabeth’s PhD was looking at the sugar tax and she worked under the supervision of Professor Louisa Ells from the School of Health, who she found to be a hugely knowledgeable and supportive director of studies. 

Alongside this she was also working towards registration as a defined specialist in Public Health with entry to the UK Public Health Register. She took the portfolio route to demonstrate her competencies and was accepted in 2020 during the early stages of the Covid pandemic.

Elizabeth submitted her PhD in March this year and is now just waiting for her viva date. She now has children aged 7, 4, 2 and 7 months so is kept very busy!

For more information about studying in the School of Health, please click here.