Caitlin Tanner, Swansea University – year 2 of PhD
I was born bilaterally profoundly deaf and worked as an ICU Nurse throughout the coronavirus pandemic. From this experience, I found myself aiming to conduct a qualitative study exploring deaf nurses’ accounts of working in UK health services, which would promote understanding of the issues, challenges, and facilitators that deaf nurses experience as they deliver patient care. This has real-world impact as the retirement age is increasing, meaning that the ageing workforce may also experience forms of hearing loss. Also, as the NHS faces staff retention and uptake strains, this research could provide some support to improve some of these concerns as personal experiences could develop recommendations.
I am in year 2 of my PhD, and I have commenced my data collection stage in interviewing nurses with deafness or who are hard of hearing, gathering participants through Facebook groups. I am very excited to explore this research and have been very grateful for the Swansea University Research Excellence Scholarship award.
Being a researcher with a disability is challenging as not only do I have to think about how best I can ensure participants who are deaf can participate within the interview with ease, but also how best I can participate within interviews as a deaf researcher. I have had to take time to think of all scenarios in possible interview circumstances to ensure that I have the best methodology in place that benefits both myself and the participant. Liaising with your supervisor should help guide you in the right direction!
It is difficult for deaf academics to meet other likeminded deaf academics as these events are normally abroad. Having the opportunity to travel abroad to attend conferences with Deaf academics over the world has given me valuable connections that I can link with deaf researchers who understand my experiences. This is such a valuable experience, to share and explore connections with other people who may have the same disability as yourself –this helped me pick up tips that would benefit my research from others’ experiences. I must thank the Worshipful Livery Company for a scholarship granted to my proposal to visit Vienna to go to the Deaf Academics Conference 2023. You may find other useful scholarships available on their site for your research also.
I do make myself find the time to unwind, as work can easily take priority over your other aspects of life. I make sure that I go outside for a walk for an hour a day and unwind by either watching a TV show or reading a great book (not a textbook!). I have talked a few of my friends into starting a weekly crocheting club, and it’s so exciting to see us all coming together to make new crochet animals. I find this time so valuable, as I can easily get lost in all my upcoming deadlines; but taking that time to separate myself from work gives me motivation to meet my targets for my PhD.
If you do find yourself facing similar challenges, I would recommend reaching out to your supervisors and disability officers as they are your key contacts to ensure you receive the support you need during your PhD. I would also recommend starting the process of applying for DSA funding as soon as you can, as having the support in place is crucial to your experience!
If you do feel overwhelmed, as at times I do!, I find it helpful to look at my plan for the week and set aside the time, so I have it organised as a school planner what I plan to achieve in blocks of time. For example, I organise my PhD work 8am until 4pm, but one day is on my methodology chapter, one day is reading a textbook, one day is introduction chapter, etc. I would also recommend making yourself excited to do the work by grabbing a cup of tea (or your favorite drink) and opening your planner to see what your small plan for the day is and watch it get checked off one by one! Don’t just consider it work, consider it your passion project, and be delighted to see your pages come to life with new information that people will be enthusiastic to read when it is finished.
