Profile
Emily McDougal
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About Me:
I’m a researcher living in Surrey with my husband and our Boston Terrier, Betty. I love video gaming, rollercoasters, visiting new places and trying new foods.
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I currently live in Surrey with my husband and our Boston Terrier, Betty. I’ve also previously lived in Oxfordshire, Durham, Edinburgh and Falkirk! I love to travel and visit new places. I’m also really into gaming (video and board varieties) and riding rollercoasters. Alton Towers is my happy place.
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My pronouns are:
she/her
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My Work:
I’m a developmental psychologist and researcher. I conduct research that investigates how children and young people think and learn.
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I’m especially interested in neurodivergent people, which includes ADHD and autism. I use lots of different methods to answer research questions.
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My Typical Day:
Every day is different for me, which is why I enjoy my job so much. Some days I’m at a school working with children who complete thinking and learning tasks. On other days I’m in the office writing up my findings or planning for the next steps of a study.
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Every day is different for me, which is why I enjoy my job so much. Some days I’m at a school working with children who complete thinking and learning tasks. These are lots of fun for both of us! I love seeing how different children choose to approach a task. On other days I’m in the office writing up my findings or planning for the next steps of a study. I have a good balance of desk work and practical work.
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What I'd do with the prize money:
I’d put this towards engaging children and schools with science, such as psychology experiment demonstrations or talks from different researchers.
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Education:
Bartholomew Secondary School and Sixth Form (2001-2008) Aged 11-18
University of Essex (2008-2011) Aged 18-21
Durham Univeristy (2014-2019) Aged 24-30
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Qualifications:
GCSEs: They were a long time ago but I think I got nine A’s, one B and one C!
A-Levels: English Literature and Language (A), Psychology (B), Politics (C). I also took Film Studies (A) for one year only.
Bachelor’s degree: BSc in Psychology (2:1 classification)
Master’s degree: MSc in Developmental Psychopathology (distinction)
Postgraduate Certificate: PG Cert in Research Methods (merit)
Finally, I have a PhD in Developmental Psychology!
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Work History:
I had a few part-time jobs whilst I was at school but will start at my first full-time job after University.
Dec 2011-Jan 2012: Temporary work – cataloguing books for Bodleian Library
Mar 2012-Jun 2013: Administration Assistant at a residential care home
Jul 2013-Sep 2014: Secretary to Directors for care home provider
Oct 2015-Aug 2019: Part-time casual teaching and Research Assistant work whilst studying for my PhD
Sep 2019-Apr 2021: Postdoctoral Research Fellow at University of Edinburgh
May 2021-present: Postdoctoral Research Fellow at University of Surrey
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Current Job:
I currently work as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at University of Surrey. My job involves managing a research project called “BLOCS”. We are interested in how LEGO building ability might be related to spatial skills and maths in 7 to 9 year olds.
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Employer:
University of Surrey
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Nerdy developmental psychologist
What did you want to be after you left school?
I didn't know! For a long time I wanted to be a journalist or a novelist. I'd still like to write a novel some day!
Were you ever in trouble at school?
I was very quiet and timid at school!
If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
Something else investigative - maybe a detective?
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Right now I'm really into lo-fi beats.
What's your favourite food?
Takoyaki (Japanese squid balls!)
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
To be happy, to be loved, to make a difference in the world.
Tell us a joke.
What is a boat full of psychiatrists labeled as? Freudian ship.
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