Student Ambassadors

I am a PhD student in Scandinavian Studies, with an interest in representations of supernatural disability in Old Norse literature. I am also interested in monstrosity, marginality and emotionality, particularly the depiction and evocation of horror, as well as wider medieval literary practices. I received my BA in English, Psychology and Interdisciplinary Liberal Arts from the University of New Mexico in 2020, and my MLitt in Scandinavian (Viking and Medieval) Studies here at the University of Aberdeen in 2022. 
Within the History department, we have begun several student-led initiatives, including a reading group in Old Norse and Old English, a Postgraduate Seminar Series, a monthly lunch for medievalists, and more. Through the Centre for Scandinavian Studies, we have access to experts around the world, as well as many amazing opportunities. We have an incredibly supportive environment of fellow students and academic supervisors, and I would be more than happy to discuss any questions you might have!   Thank you, and let me know if there's anything you need from me!

As an avid supporter of Scottish Heritage and my clan, I naturally wanted to study Scottish History. When I began my journey with the University of Aberdeen as a remote online student in the Scottish Heritage Master’s programme in 2022, I never realised I would now be a PhD student in History.  
 I’m originally from the USA but have lived abroad most of my twenty-five-year career. I work for the United Nations and believe deeply in the capacity for change in the world. However, having joined a supportive student community at the University of Aberdeen, led by some of the most learned and engaging professors, I was inspired to take on this parallel intellectual challenge. The working title for my PhD is ‘The Educational Legacies of Jacobitism in the Atlantic World’. I am guided by two excellent supervisors, Dr Bradford Bow and Emeritus Professor Allan Macinnes.
 If you are a mature student considering a return to university to attain a PhD, please contact me. I’m happy to share my experience and answer any questions you have. It’s a big step, and with it, great rewards.

Kelly McRae is currently a PhD student with The University of Aberdeen and the University of the Highlands and Islands under the supervision of Dr Alastair MacDonald and Dr Iain MacInnes. Her work focuses on depictions of monarchy and governance in medieval and early modern writing across the Anglo-Scottish border.

I grew up in Waco, Texas and received my bachelor's degree in Media, Culture, and the Arts with a concentration in Museum Studies and a minor in history from The King's College in New York City. I completed my master's degree in Museum Studies here at the University of Aberdeen before transitioning into my current study in the school of History, Divinity, Philosophy, and Art History as a PhD candidate in Art History in the fall of 2021.

My current research is looking into the medieval cult of St. Catherine of Alexandria in Western Europe and the ways that her image modelled the traits of the idealized woman during that time.

I have found the University of Aberdeen to be the best learning environment that I have studied at. As someone with disabilities, I've found that my professors have always been understanding and accommodating, and that the university staff have always done their best to ensure that I have everything I need to do my best work.

Hello! I’m Christopher, and I’m absolutely delighted to be a PhD candidate in Practical Theology at the University of Aberdeen. I’m greatly enjoying my first year of part-time, distance-learning study—thanks in large part to the wonderful people who make the University of Aberdeen the positive learning environment that it is.
I’m an Anglican priest and trained at the Church of Ireland Theological Institute—connected with Trinity College—in Dublin, where I completed my Master’s degree in summer 2020 with a short dissertation on the Eucharist as an embodied experience. For the past few years, I’ve been based in the beautiful orchard county of Armagh in Northern Ireland, and it has been a tremendous privilege to be supervised by an excellent mentor, Dr Katie Cross, who brings fresh and exciting perspectives to Practical Theology and qualitative research.
I’m researching the performance of symbolic actions in contemporary ordination rites currently authorised for use by the Church of Ireland (a province of the Anglican Communion). In particular, I’m considering their impact on the espoused theology—the ordinary ways we talk about God, ourselves, the Church, and the world—of largely non-churchgoing participants, using qualitative research methods.
When I’m not studying, I enjoy being owned by dogs, going to the cinema (especially for horror films), baking and cooking (or, at least, trying my hand at both—results may vary!), and reading (especially weird fiction and anything in the ‘dark academia’ category).
If you’d like to find out more about PhD life as a distance-learning student at the University of Aberdeen and/or my research interests, feel free to drop me a line!