Emma, head of postgraduate programmes, PhD in musicology

Occupation: Head of Postgraduate Programmes, AHRB

Sector: Public Sector (Research Council)

PhD subject: Musicology

Why did you do a PhD?

I had a strong personal interest in the subject of my research, late 16th century Italian music and was also interested in how this intertwined with social and cultural issues. I didn’t have clear career aspirations so the decision was based on my enthusiasm for the subject.

Describe your current job briefly:

I am in charge of the annual competition for postgraduate funding for which the AHRB receives around 5,500 applications. I have to respond to all of these and arrange peer review panes for proposals.

Additionally I am involved in policy and strategy development for the Board which involves understanding national policy relating to Arts and Humanities research and translating this into Board policy. I also have a responsibility for our funded students, so I work with universities to ensure they are doing all they can to support them.

Why did you decide in this career?

My PhD was intellectually satisfying, but rather lonely so I knew that any future career would have to continue to offer an intellectual challenge, but with more substantial human contact. My PhD was only funded for two years (as was the norm then) so I had to work and study part-time for two years. I became an Editor for the New Grove Dictionary of Music which involved a lot of administration, music research and contact with others. Whilst doing this I realised I was good at administrative work and enjoyed it.

When I saw the AHRB job it seemed perfect as it tied in with my strengths, interests and would allow me to maintain contact with the academic sector.

What was your job search strategy and how were you recruited?

I saw the advert in the Guardian and applied using a very tricky application form. I was interviewed and offered the job.

Why do you think you got the job?

My experience with the Dictionary had given me a background in administration, whilst my PhD meant I understood research and how universities worked. Without additional experience, my PhD alone may have been enough, but with it I was a much safer appointment – they knew I could work effectively in this kind of role.

Do you think a PhD has had a positive impact on your career?

Yes – it taught me how to read enormous, detailed texts; to identify the salient points and really these to other people without really having to think about it – it is a natural way of working. I can assimilate complicated ideas and policy documents and relay their content quickly and cleanly.

In a more specific way, I also have a personal understanding of what students are going through and this helps me to deal with them in a supportive, sympathetic manner. When I’m dealing with academics I also find that they are more receptive to ideas because they know that I understand the context in which they are going to be applied. This has certainly been the case with initiatives such as our new research training framework. Obviously I do have to cope with some hostility, but again with a PhD I think I garner more respect during negotiations.

What advice do you have for PhD students to boost their employability?

When I was doing my PhD I knew a lot about 16th century Italian music, but didn’t realise what other skills I had, which I felt hindered my self confidence and may have stopped me looking at alternatives to research had I not had editing experience.

Now I can see that the fundamental activities in research are the same as those in many other jobs – coping with lots of detailed information and making links and identifying trends; in organising meetings and seminars you are going through the same processes that I go through when organising national conferences – it is just on a different scale.