Discover stories of PGR researchers working on the That's Me project in our IAMBCU postgraduate researcher stories.
Emmanuela Enweonwu
Through her research into international human rights and law, Emmanuela is committed to advocate for change for vulnerable women and children in Nigeria . Navigating personal challenges along the way, she has worked meaningfully with the research community at Birmingham City University during her PhD to make a true difference for individuals.
Sarah Bristol-Abbott
Before her master’s, Sarah didn’t think she was destined for success. Studying at BCU has given her the confidence to be her most authentic self and start a business that makes a difference to marginalised communities.
Melisa Oleschuk
Passionate about the empowerment of people and the protection of human rights, Melissa felt studying a PhD would provide her with the knowledge for a career contributing to a better society. After completing her undergraduate degree in Law and postgraduate degree in International Human Rights, she is now studying for her PhD, exploring the translation of international human rights provisions into domestic legal change.
Jess Wythe
When Jess started her undergraduate studies as an Education student at BCU, she didn’t have the confidence to believe she was good enough to study at postgraduate level. Now, her doctoral research is making positive changes to Special Educational Needs policy and practice and her confidence in her work and ability grows every day.
Abigail Shaw
After being released from prison in her late teens, Abigail became a mother and realised she needed to provide a better life for her new family. After several attempts at college, she discovered an Access to HE (Higher Education) course, which led her to study Criminology at BCU at undergraduate and master’s levels. She has overcome every challenge life has thrown at her and is now a PhD researcher at BCU focussing on the experiences of black women in the criminal justice system.
Roxanne Korda
Roxanne was previously a secondary school physics teacher, having studied physics and philosophy. Roxanne wanted to explore the possibility of conveying concepts of science through theatre and performance, so she decided to pursue a Master's in Music and then a PhD at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.
Daniel Blanco Albert
Daniel found his home at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire after deciding to move from Valencia to study his passion for music and performance. He has been connected to Birmingham City University throughout his Master’s degree and PhD for a decade now and loves to work collaboratively with other creatives in the city to form unique operatic performances.
Lerelle Willden-Lewis
After facing personal challenges that interrupted her first attempt at another university, Lerelle decided to study at BCU and graduated with a first-class undergraduate degree followed by a Master’s with distinction. Encouraged by her dissertation supervisor and driven by a passion for research, she began a PhD exploring marginalised queer people’s use of dating apps, while also becoming a foster parent. Her journey reflects resilience, academic excellence, and a commitment to making digital spaces safer and more inclusive for under-represented communities.
Huafeng Lu
With a background in architecture, Huafeng had always been passionate about creating high-quality spaces. She wanted to push her knowledge further by pursuing a PhD, making a true difference by promoting greater social inclusion and sustainable urban development in smart city planning.
Nsikan Oghenemega Umoh
As Nsikan advanced through her studies, earning both a BSc in Accounting and an MSc in International Business, she found herself increasingly drawn to research. This passion led her to pursue a Business PhD at Birmingham City University, where she has been supported by a vibrant academic community and inspired to explore her interests in human behaviour and its impact on organisational performance.