Katie Hazel

Please tell us a little bit about yourself?

I’m a former Computing and Media teacher who is currently studying the MA Education part-time alongside working as a Research Assistant at Tooled Up Education. Over the last year, I’ve discovered that what I really enjoy is educational research. My interests have gradually centred around media representation, media literacy, chronic pain and how lived experience can shape education. Outside of my MA I’ve been lucky enough to have articles published, co-author journal papers and book chapters, and even present at my first academic conference – all opportunities that probably wouldn’t have happened without taking the leap and starting this course.

Why were you interested in an MA?

Honestly? I applied on a bit of a whim. I’d reached a point where I wasn’t sure what came next. I enrolled on the MA because I wanted something meaningful to work towards while I figured out my next steps. What I didn’t expect was that it would completely change the direction of my career and help me discover a genuine passion for educational research.

What inspired you to study the MA at Edge Hill University?

Although my previous studies weren’t without challenges, I knew Edge Hill offered a flexible MA that I could study alongside work. At the time, I was at a crossroads in my career and wanted the opportunity to explore education from a different perspective. The course offered exactly that—it gave me the chance to step back, think critically about educational issues, and discover a passion for research that I hadn’t realised I had.

Why did you choose to study at Edge Hill University?

Despite the challenges I’d experienced during previous studies, I knew Edge Hill offered a course that would fit around my work and give me the opportunity to develop as a researcher. Choosing a university that was already familiar meant I could focus my energy on the course itself, and the flexibility of the MA made it the right fit at that stage of my career. The structure of the MA was one of the main reasons I chose Edge Hill. Studying part-time and focusing on one module at a time meant I could fully engage with each topic while balancing work and other commitments. Rather than juggling multiple assignments at once, I liked being able to dedicate my time and attention to one area of study before moving on to the next. That approach has really suited the way I learn.

What are the top 3 skills your MA course is supporting you to develop?

I think the three biggest skills I’ve developed are research, critical analysis and academic communication. The course has strengthened my ability to critically evaluate literature, identify connections between different perspectives and develop evidence-based arguments. It has also given me the confidence to communicate research in different ways, from academic assignments and conference presentations to journal articles and professional publications. These are skills that I continue to use both in my studies and in my work as a Research Assistant.

What insights are you gaining from your current studies and how is this supported by your course tutors?

One of the biggest insights I’ve gained is the confidence to explore my own research interests and think more critically about educational issues. Throughout the course, I’ve learnt not just to engage with research, but to question it, identify connections between different ideas and consider how it can be applied in practice. My course tutors have been incredibly supportive throughout this journey. They’ve always encouraged me to pursue opportunities beyond the MA, celebrating achievements such as my publications in educational magazines and journals and helping me build my confidence as a researcher. Their encouragement has even led to further opportunities, including writing for the Edge Hill Education blog. Having tutors who genuinely take an interest in your development beyond the classroom has made a real difference to my experience.

What are you most enjoying about your MA studies, and what are the challenges (if any), and how have you overcome these?

The biggest challenge has been balancing studying alongside work while managing a long-term chronic pain condition. At times, I’ve also experienced a bit of imposter syndrome. There were moments when I wondered whether I really belonged on the course.

Over time, I’ve realised that the MA welcomes a wide range of perspectives and career aspirations. The encouragement from my tutors, together with opportunities to publish, present at conferences and explore my own research interests, has helped me recognise that there are many different ways to contribute to education. That has given me the confidence to embrace my own career journey rather than compare it to anyone else’s.

How has the degree supported you in balancing studying and working / working in school or setting?

When I started the MA, I was actually at a career crossroads. Studying part-time gave me the flexibility to explore new opportunities alongside my studies. In January 2026, I began supporting a University of Leeds research project, collecting data in schools, and a few months later I secured a Research Assistant role at Tooled Up Education. I feel that my work and my studies now complement each other perfectly. The research skills, critical thinking and academic writing I’m developing through the MA directly support my professional role, while the practical experience I gain through work enriches my assignments and discussions. Looking back, the flexibility of the course has allowed me to grow academically while also finding a career that feels like the right fit.

How have/will your MA studies support your career progression?

It’s already had a huge impact. Since starting the MA, I’ve become a Research Assistant, had work published in journals and educational magazines, co-authored book chapters, presented at my first conference and started developing ideas for future research. More than anything, it’s given me the confidence to put myself out there and realise that my ideas are worth sharing.

What advice would you give to someone considering studying the MA at Edge Hill University?

Don’t feel like you need to have your whole career mapped out before you start. I began the MA at a time when I was questioning what I wanted to do next, and the course ended up opening doors I hadn’t even considered. Be open to exploring topics that genuinely interest you, as you never know where they might lead. Some of my assignments have gone on to inspire conference presentations, publications and my current idea for my dissertation topic.
I’d also encourage anyone considering the MA to make the most of opportunities beyond the course. Talk to your tutors, share your interests and celebrate your achievements. I found the staff incredibly supportive, and their encouragement gave me the confidence to put myself forward for opportunities I might otherwise have overlooked.

How has Edge Hill supported you during your degree?

Throughout my degree, I’ve felt genuinely supported by both my tutors and the wider Faculty of Education. My tutors have always encouraged me to develop my own research interests, celebrate my achievements and take opportunities beyond the classroom, whether that’s publishing articles, writing for the Edge Hill Education blog or building my confidence as a researcher.

The University has also provided opportunities to engage with the wider research community. Attending and presenting at an education conference through the School of Education gave me the chance to network with academics and fellow researchers, discuss my work with others in the field and gain confidence in sharing my ideas. Those experiences have been just as valuable as the academic content of the course and have helped shape the direction of my career.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

When I enrolled on the MA, I genuinely didn’t know where it would lead. I was at a point in my career where I was questioning my future, and I simply wanted something meaningful to focus on. Looking back, it’s been one of the best decisions I’ve made.

The course hasn’t just given me a qualification; it’s helped me discover a career that genuinely excites me. It’s opened doors to research, publishing and presenting at conferences, and it’s given me the confidence to believe that I can make a contribution to education in a different way. I’m really excited to continue my dissertation and see where this journey takes me next.

If there’s one thing I’ve learnt during the MA, it’s that careers don’t always follow the path you expect. For me, the MA has been much more than a postgraduate qualification; it’s been the start of a new chapter.

I’ve been incredibly fortunate to be supported by so many members of the Faculty of Education throughout my MA who have all challenged and encouraged me academically, helping me develop confidence in my research and critical thinking.

Alongside the academic support, the opportunities to present at conferences, network with other researchers and share my work beyond the classroom have been invaluable. Those experiences have helped shape not only my MA journey, but also the direction of my career.