Katie Lofthouse (2018, Experimental Psychology)

Katie Lofthouse studied Experimental Psychology at Univ and is currently doing a PhD in Clinical Psychology at the University of East Anglia investigating complex PTSD in children and adolescents. 

Why did you choose to study Experimental Psychology at Univ?
I chose Univ because of how welcoming all of the students were on the open day I visited – and the free cupcakes! On a practical note, I liked the location of the college, the accommodation, and the Hall, so I could see myself feeling at home there.

How do you think you changed from walking through Univ’s doors for the first time to graduating?
My confidence has grown massively, both personally and academically. I now feel assured of my ideas and abilities in a research setting, and I’m not afraid to ask any questions I have, no matter how silly they may seem. I gained so many valuable experiences, from being a Univ ambassador for access and outreach, volunteering for local causes, playing college sport, and receiving teaching from some of the world-leading researchers. These have helped me grow and develop countless new skills.

What are you currently doing? How is it going?
I’m currently in my second year of a PhD at the University of East Anglia. I’m investigating PTSD in young people and really enjoying expanding on the skills I learned in my undergraduate degree in such an important research area.

Do you have any favourite moments from your time at Univ?
Helping on the open days and meeting so many prospective students was a highlight. I then did interview helping and it was amazing to see behind the scenes of the admissions process, and encounter some of the applicants I had met on the open days.

I also really enjoyed captaining the Balliol-Univ mixed hockey team and winning the inter-college cuppers league – we then got to play in a supercuppers match at Varsity against a Cambridge team!

Finally, I think Univ Ball 2022 and my graduation were incredible moments that marked the end of my time in Oxford.

Have you faced any challenges in your life that you are happy to share here? If so, how did you cope with them?
Coming from a state school in North Yorkshire, my main challenge was to believe in myself and that I belonged in Oxford. I then had similar thoughts about going straight into a PhD after my undergraduate degree! However, I have learned that it’s worth taking opportunities like these and trusting the people who offer them to me. Meeting people from so many different backgrounds and getting involved with the Crankstart scholarship council and events helped me to see that there were people like me in Oxford.

Describe Univ in three words.
Supportive inspiring community.

Published: 16 January 2023

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