2025 Year in Review

2025 brought major professional and personal opportunities and progressions. I started the year feeling like I had a lot of ground to make up with my doctoral research, and that it would likely be a tough year. I do feel that 2025 has been a year where I have flourished and taken on so many exciting opportunities. The biggest milestone for me was passing my PhD Upgrade. This was so important to me as it helped me to feel a huge sense of belonging on the PhD programme. I was also hugely fortunate to have attended two conferences, the AIB-UKI and Interactive Games PGR conferences at the University of Surrey and York St John University respectively. I feel that huge progress on my doctoral research has helped me to overcome imposter syndrome working at this level, and has also helped to provide clarity for myself in my future career path.

I was also thankful to have had some incredible work experiences this year. I worked for 4J Studios from June to December, responsible for Community Management duties. This was a hugely exciting role as I am a lifelong gamer myself, and to work for such an established video game studio here in Dundee was rewarding and I gained great experience being there. I have also been involved in the 'Fostering Education Inclusion' project where University of Dundee and National University of Sciences and Technology in Pakistan are collaborating to research and advise policy and university practice regarding accessibility and digital inclusion for students with disabilities. I have also had the chance to take opportunities through the year to speak to and mentor students at high school and university level, and I look forward to taking on new opportunities, and making 2026 another successful year!