This month at jobs.ac.uk, we had the opportunity to work with Dr Elinor MacFarlane, Clinical Evaluation Scientist, who recently completed her PhD at Cardiff University. Elinor’s interview offers a unique glimpse into the challenges and triumphs of starting a PhD during the global pandemic.
Dr Elinor MacFarlane began her PhD in Vision Science at Cardiff University in 2020. Her research focused on improving the safety of eye care services in Wales by evaluating patient safety and safety culture through a mixed-methods approach. Starting a PhD in the middle of a global pandemic came with its fair share of delays and challenges, but Elinor embraced this as a chance to take greater ownership of her work. What started as a structured programme turned into a more flexible process, allowing her to make important decisions and develop valuable problem-solving skills along the way.
Now that she’s finished her PhD, Elinor looks back on the journey and shares what she’s learned—not just about herself, but about time management, the research process, and what she might have done differently. She also talks about what she’s up to now, her passion for making real-world changes, and the impact she hopes to have.
Whether you’re a student, researcher, or academic, Elinor’s interview is relatable and inspiring, offering lessons in problem-solving, adaptability, and perseverance.
*If you work in academia and would like to participate in jobs.ac.uk Academic Spotlight interviews, please contact us at paula@jobs.ac.uk
Leave a Reply