Fiona Gibb

What really motivated me to undertake a PhD was the opportunity to step beyond my role as a registered midwife and explore something completely new. I’ve always been passionate about improving education and practice, and I could see how technology and data were starting to shape the future of healthcare. At the same time, the PhD was the next logical step in my career as an academic midwife. I was keen to undertake this work as part of my role as Director of Midwifery at the Royal College of Midwives, and I thought - why not gain the academic credit for the project? It made perfect sense to combine my professional responsibilities with academic development, so I could strengthen both my research skills and my contribution to the wider midwifery profession.

For me, the standout moment so far has definitely been getting through the door of such a fantastic school. Coming from a midwifery background, I suddenly found myself surrounded by people who are experts in informatics and artificial intelligence, which is a whole new world for me! It’s been both exciting and a bit daunting at times, but mostly it’s made me realise how much there is to learn and how many different perspectives there are in research. Being part of conversations that connect technology with healthcare has really opened my eyes, and I feel quite privileged to be learning from people who think in such different ways. It’s pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best possible way.

One of the main challenges I’m facing is finding the right balance between my part-time PhD studies and my full-time role. My professional responsibilities can be quite demanding, so creating dedicated time and headspace for research can be difficult. It’s a constant juggle between work, study, and personal commitments.

I’m learning to set clearer boundaries and to protect time for reading and writing, but it’s definitely a work in progress. At the same time, I can see how my professional role enriches my research, the two areas feed into each other, so while it’s challenging, it’s also rewarding.

One key mindset I’ve developed is learning to be comfortable with not knowing everything. Coming from a midwifery and leadership background where I’m used to being confident in my field, stepping into a completely new research environment has taught me to embrace curiosity and uncertainty. I’ve had to learn to ask questions, seek help, and be open to different ways of thinking, especially in areas like informatics and AI, which are quite new to me.

This shift has helped me grow as a learner and a researcher. It’s made me more reflective, resilient, and open-minded - qualities that I think are just as important in leadership and education as they are in research.

My advice to anyone considering a PhD at the School of Informatics would be to go in with an open mind and a willingness to learn. The environment is full of people from very different backgrounds, so it’s a brilliant place to be curious and to ask questions. Don’t worry if your expertise is in a different area, that diversity is what makes the learning so rich.

I’d also say, be realistic about the commitment. Balancing research with professional or personal responsibilities takes planning and persistence, but it’s absolutely worth it. Surround yourself with supportive peers and mentors, and make use of the amazing resources and expertise available.