Profile
Claire Niedzwiedz
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About Me:
I live in Glasgow with my husband, 15 month old daughter Riya and our cat Lyra. I work part-time at the moment and enjoy swimming and walking in the countryside.
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My pronouns are:
She/her
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My Work:
I am a mental health researcher looking at how physical and mental health interact, as well as how things like COVID-19 and climate change affect mental health.
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My Typical Day:
My first task of the day is to get my 15 month old daughter ready for the day with the childminder. I then either work at home or head into the office. My working day mostly consists of meeting students who I am supervising, meeting with colleagues to discuss research plans, analysing data, writing emails, going to seminars and writing up papers. I leave around 4.30pm to pick up my daughter from the childminder.
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What I'd do with the prize money:
I don’t expect to win!
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Education:
I went to a very small primary school in a little village called Coldingham and went to high school nearby in Eyemouth.
After leaving high school I went to the University of St Andrews where I studied Physiology and then went on to do a Master’s degree in Public Health Research at the University of Edinburgh. After working for a bit I then went to the University of Glasgow to do a PhD in Public Health.
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Qualifications:
Standards Grades:
Biology, Chemistry, English, Maths, Geography, German, Art
Intermediate 2:
Music
Highers:
Biology (A), Chemistry (A), Maths (A), Geography (B), German (B), English (C)
Undergraduate:
BSc(Hons) Physiology
Postgraduate:
MSc Public Health Research
PhD Public Health
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Work History:
My first ‘proper’ job was as an Information Analyst for the NHS.
After my PhD I worked in postdoctoral research posts at the University of Edinburgh (in a Geography department) and at the University of Oxford (in a Sociology department).
I have also worked for a charity (Mental Health Foundation) as a Senior Research Officer.
More recently, I went to work at the University of Glasgow as a Research Fellow.
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Current Job:
Lord Kelvin/Adam Smith Research Fellow
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Employer:
University of Glasgow
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
plays with numbers
What did you want to be after you left school?
Marine biologist
Were you ever in trouble at school?
Maybe for being too quiet!
If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
Quite like the idea of being a crime scene investigator!
Who is your favourite singer or band?
At the moment I'm mainly listening to Ed Sheeran, Biffy Clyro and Billie Eilish
What's your favourite food?
Chocolate!
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
Health, happiness and a permanent job for my working life!
Tell us a joke.
I'd rather not!
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