Two Edge Hill University academics have been shortlisted for their support as supervisors with PhD students.
Dr Linda Kaye and Professor Paul Ashton have been shortlisted in the PhD Supervisor of the Year category in the Postgrad Awards 2022 run by FindAMasters.com.
The award recognises PhD supervisors who go out of their way to give students an outstanding experience, and Edge Hill is the only university represented more than once in the shortlist.
Dr Kaye’s research specialism is in the area of cyberpsychology, specifically in exploring how online settings can promote social inclusion and wellbeing. She began working at Edge Hill University in 2011 and became a Reader in 2020.
She has published extensively on topics such as the psychology of digital gaming, social media and emoji, and is author of Issues and Debates in Cyberpsychology.
She is currently involved in supervising four PhDs covering gender in digital gaming, video games and mental health, test anxiety, and emotions towards mathematics in Further Education adult learners.
Dr Kaye said: “I’m honoured to have been nominated for this award. It was such lovely news to receive in my inbox.
“It’s a privilege to be able to play a part in helping guide people through the early stages of their research career.
Professor Ashton, Head of Biology, began working at Edge Hill University in 1994 as a Senior Lecturer then in 2008 became a Reader.
He was made Head of the Biology department in autumn 2012 and is also course co-ordinator for the Conservation Management MSc.
In addition to scientific papers covering a breadth of subjects and habitats he is also co-author of Ecological Genetics; Design, Analysis, and Application.
Professor Ashton is supervising three PhDs ranging from microbial genetics to butterfly ecology and plant evolution.
He said: “There’s no secret to being a good PhD supervisor. It’s just about giving people time, listening to them and providing encouragement.
“I’m completely flattered that someone wanted to nominate me for this award.
“The great satisfaction is in seeing students go on to other things and knowing you have played a part in their career journey.”
George Talbot, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research at Edge Hill, added: “We are justifiably very proud of the work our PhD supervisors do to support students through their research project.
“To be the only university with two nominations shortlisted in this category highlights the commitment and dedication shown to PhD students here at Edge Hill.”
To discover more about courses at Edge Hill, please visit ehu.ac.uk/study.
June 8, 2022
