The Wartski Overseas Travel Award, generously funded through charitable trusts established by Isidore and Winifred Marie Wartski, is a wonderful opportunity for Bangor University students to enhance their education through overseas travel. This prestigious award reflects the Wartski family's proud heritage, being historically connected to both the founding Wartski Jewellers in Bangor and the present-day Wartski Jewellers in London. Each academic year, one student from each college is selected to receive this award.
I would like to express my gratitude for this award, as this has supplemented the previously acquired fund for this trip and has allowed the successful completion of my one-month research visit in Canada. During my visit, I had the opportunity to attend a conference (Lake Ontario Visionary Establishment) with a broad representation of psychological and neuroscientific research, which allowed me to network with researchers involved in similar research. Here, I was also able to connect with other researchers more informally, share ideas, and learn about any differences between the UK and Canada in terms conducting research and building a career in academia. Working in a different laboratory has allowed me to experience a different research culture, within an environment where I could discuss the literature with other PhD students working in the same field, as well as expand my knowledge of associated fields. This has been invaluable to the progress of my PhD research and will benefit the development of my academic career, not only in terms of becoming more independent in my current research, but also in terms of seeking future collaborations.
Doina-Irina Giurgea, Postgraduate Research Student - School of Psychology and Sports Science
I would like to thank the patrons of the Wartski Overseas Travel Award for selecting my project to fund. I would not have been able to undertake such a trip without financial support. Attending an international conference is an experience that I think is important and formative as a postgraduate researcher. I am really grateful that your award has enabled me to participate in such an event and feel connected to a wider network of scholars in my field. The benefits I have drawn from the conference have been numerous, including inspiration for the theoretical and methodological approach within my thesis, contact with scholars in my field of study and valuable cultural experiences that will enhance my studies and teaching at Bangor. Many thanks again for choosing my project. Below are some photographs with captions that show some of the important locations and activities of my trip.
Elsa Barratt, PHD Student - School of Arts, Culture and Language,