Karina Lovell, a therapist for a charity and a professor of mental health

‘The confidence I gained working in a multi-disciplinary environment and the insight into the expertise of other professionals has been highly influential in my career.’

Having previously worked as a clinical nurse specialising in cognitive behavioural therapy, I did my doctoral research in post-traumatic stress disorder. I wanted to be in a position of influence to change patient care for the better, so I also gained a teaching qualification then worked part-time as a clinician and part-time as an academic, moving from lecturer to senior lecturer to professor. My current role involves research as well as teaching.

My doctorate gave me the basic skills to be a successful researcher, a thorough grounding in critical appraisal and an introduction to the academic world. The confidence I gained working in a multi-disciplinary environment and the insight into the expertise of other professionals has been highly influential in my career.

Working in both a clinical and a research setting is a challenge but I would advise others to persevere, think through different career pathways and speak to other researchers and clinicians.