Reflections so far on an NIHR Pre-Doctoral Fellowship

Written by Elle Wyke: Elle is based at UCL on an NIHR Three Schools Prevention Theme Pre-Doctoral Fellowship. Elle’s research interests include multiple long-term conditions, health inequalities, and community-based health and wellbeing support.

Having completed a Psychology degree in 2008, I worked in youth and community roles (mainly in the voluntary and social housing sectors). I returned to academia after 15 years to study a Health Psychology masters and it was during this time that I developed a passion for research. I was working as a research assistant with Dr Megan Armstrong and the opportunity came up to apply for an NIHR pre-doctoral fellowship in the new ‘prevention’ theme. With support from my supervisors, I was successful in my application, and I started on a 2-year part-time fellowship in February 2025.

It has been such an incredible experience so far. My fellowship allows me to work on various academic research projects to gain experience and skills, and to undertake a placement. I lined up a placement in the Psychological Insights Team at my local Integrated Care System and began this in March. Carrying out this placement at the beginning of my fellowship has given me insight into some of the work that is going on in my local Integrated Care System and has confirmed to me that my research interests lie strongly in reducing health inequalities, community-based health and wellbeing, integrated care and co-production. I plan to build upon the connections I’ve made through my placement to help inform the development of my doctoral application.

The academic research projects I’m working on during my fellowship are giving me the chance to learn from more experienced researchers. I’ve had lots of opportunities to contribute, such as conducting research interviews, analysing data, presenting a poster at a conference and having a research paper peer reviewed and published. I’m also embracing opportunities to network with other pre-doctoral fellows and researchers at all stages of their careers. I would highly recommend a pre-doctoral fellowship to anyone who is passionate about developing a career as a researcher but doesn’t feel ready for a PhD yet.