Abigail, PhD | Social Researcher

All the times over the past 5 years that Heslington Hall has been the site I’ve used to mark an occasion within my PhD programme.

Side note: a coincidence that the sun is shining when I passed my viva and graduated?? (Answer: probably because the other photos were taken in autumn/winter lol)

This was the first day of my PhD! My hair was purple, was excited to finally start and I met up with my PhD supervisor 🫶🏻

I attended a research group meeting with my 👶🏻 whilst on maternity leave. The research group was fab and supportive and it was more of an informal coffee get together to celebrate some PhD students who had passed their vivas recently and a chance for 👶🏻 to see the campus.

It’s also the day I learned my campus isn’t very pram friendly (so many stairs and not enough lifts) so I ended up leaving my pram at a reception and carrying 👶🏻 everywhere - I would have brought my baby carrier if I’d have known!

The last first day of school 🥹

I remember thinking “wow this is thick” when I picked up my thesis and also feeling really proud!

I was tired, my eyes were closing (hence the lack of contact lenses) and I felt mixed emotions about my viva, but Heslington Hall was shining for me 🥰

My final (?) selfie with Heslington Hall celebrating my graduation 🥳

Who knows, maybe I’ll be back in the future for something work related or for someone else’s graduation?

Either way I had fun documenting key events using Heslington Hall as the backdrop - because let’s be honest, it’s the prettiest building on campus and it was right next to my college/department 🥰