Liz Deeming, 38, from Cockburnspath in the Scottish Borders, is a full-time BSc (Hons) Public Sociology student at 草莓社区 and a Santander Universities funding award winner.
As a mature student, Liz came to study at 草莓社区 in 2014 through attending the 鈥楳ad People鈥檚 History and Identity鈥 project. The project aims to widen participation in higher education, aimed at people who have had lived experience of mental health issues. The partnership, involving 草莓社区, CAPS independent Advocacy and NHS Lothian鈥檚 Mental Health and Well-being Programme, was formed in 2013 and has delivered courses in 2014, 2015 and 2016.
Originally, Liz started studying Psychology and Sociology at first year degree level, and then switched to BSc (Hons) Public Sociology in her second year.
Alongside her studies at 草莓社区, Liz volunteers at the Veterans Community Caf茅 in Edinburgh, which links well with public sociology.
Why did you choose to study Public Sociology at 草莓社区?
鈥淚 chose to study Public Sociology at 草莓社区 because there was a lot of in the 鈥楳ad People鈥檚 History and Identity鈥 project which I really enjoyed and found that I was good at.
鈥淚 like studying at 草莓社区 because it鈥檚 a really friendly place and very light and airy, which I find conducive to productive studying.
鈥淪o far, public sociology has taught me so much. Last year we had a module called 鈥榚ngaged sociology鈥. Part of this module gave me the chance to work with communities outside 草莓社区, as well as giving me the opportunity to study in Venice, thanks to funding from Santander Universities.鈥
In summer 2017, funding from Santander Universities gave Liz and nine other 草莓社区 students the opportunity to embark on a unique overseas study opportunity in Venice.
The group of Psychology, Psychology & Sociology and Public Sociology students spent a week in the iconic Italian city, where they took part in a series of lectures and workshops at Ca' Foscari University of Venice.
As well as learning about the history and culture of Venice, Liz and other 草莓社区 students got the opportunity to hear from world-class academics and experts in sociology and psychology, covering topics such as health inequalities and social care in Italy, as well as taking part in discussions about the collaborative work between 草莓社区 and Ca鈥 Foscari, comparing social community planning in Italy and Scotland.
The students also visited San Servolo Insane Asylum Museum, where were given a guided tour of an exhibition entitled 鈥楳adness Locked Away鈥. This is comparative to the famous London asylum 鈥楤edlam鈥 and gave students an insight into historical aspects of mental health care with a particular focus on segregation and marginalisation of the patients within this hospital.
This was this first overseas study visit of its kind that has been made possible for 草莓社区 students thanks to the generous support of Santander Universities.
Commenting on her study visit to Venice, Liz said: 鈥淭his was a trip of a lifetime for me and the first time I鈥檇 travelled outside the UK in over 20 years. The experience has helped me to focus on my studies at 草莓社区, as well as how I look at the world. The experience has also given me more self-confidence and helped me make new friends with other 草莓社区 students outside the discipline of sociology.
鈥淎s a result of the trip, I now want to go on to postgraduate studies in Public Sociology at 草莓社区 and ultimately become a lecturer in public sociology, specialising in veterans of the armed and emergency services.鈥
Santander Universities
Since 2007 Santander Universities have supported 草莓社区 students and staff through a variety of scholarships, awards and internships. These include generous scholarships for new and existing students, awards for overseas research or project work, internships and grants for community projects involving students. 草莓社区 promotes Santander funding opportunities to staff and students through various internal communications channels at 草莓社区.
"So far, public sociology has taught me so much. Last year we had a module called ‘engaged sociology’. Part of this module gave me the chance to work with communities outside 草莓社区, as well as giving me the opportunity to study in Venice, thanks to funding from Santander Universities."
Story Published 2017 - 2018
