Sarah Bristol Abbott, a current PhD researcher, shares words of wisdom on how to balance freelancing whilst studying for a PhD.
“I run my own consulting business – SBA consulting – a research and evaluation consultancy working across health, education and social value. I’m passionate about using creative and people-centered methods to help organisations to better understand the impact of their work and create positive change in communities. Alongside my business, I’m also pursuing a PhD, which explores many of the same areas of social impact that drive my professional practice.
Balancing a PhD with doctoral research isn’t always easy. I try to dedicate one full day a week to my PhD work – but I’m not too hard on myself if it doesn’t always happen. Flexibility is key, life is unpredictable and it’s important to adapt rather than burn out chasing an idealised routine.
Community has been a game-changer for me too. Support comes in all shapes and sizes - a quick voice note to a friend, a long chat over coffee, bouncing ideas around, celebrating the wins (and getting through the tougher days). Having people around who "get it" makes all the difference. None of us are meant to do this alone. But building a support network works two ways. In order to have a village, you have to be a villager. It’s important to show up for others when you can, just like they show up for you. Being part of a community means giving support as much as it means receiving it - and honestly, it makes the whole journey so much richer.
There’s a lot of crossover between my business and my research. The critical thinking, creativity, and grounded understanding of impact that I’ve built through my PhD absolutely shapes the way I approach client work, and the real-world experiences from consulting help keep my research rooted in reality.
Looking ahead, I want to keep building a business that’s not just successful, but meaningful. I’m excited to keep pushing creative ways to do research and evaluation, working with organisations who care about making a real difference, and seeing where my PhD journey takes me next.
I’m lucky to have had a lot of support from Birmingham City University along the way. If you’re just starting out or feeling a bit stuck, don’t be afraid to reach out to people who are doing cool things that align with you.
Having supervisors and peers who believe in what I’m doing has been a huge boost, especially on the days when the juggle feels heavy. Balancing a business and a PhD isn’t about getting it perfect. It’s about finding your own rhythm, giving yourself some grace, and remembering that you don’t have to do it all alone.”
