My PhD Journey at PESS: From Curiosity to a Career in Research

By Dr Caera Grady

Finding My Path into Research

I recently graduated with a PhD in Physical Activity and Health from the Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences (PESS) at the University of Limerick. Looking back on my journey, I feel incredibly grateful for the experiences, opportunities and people that have shaped both my research and my career.

My PhD focused on The COMMUNICATE Study: Communicating Physical Activity Messages with Adolescents. Working with Active School Flag secondary schools across Ireland, my research aimed to identify schools’ needs and develop resources to better communicate physical activity messages, with the ultimate goal of improving young people’s physical activity knowledge, awareness and participation.

My journey into research actually began after my undergraduate degree. I always found myself with more questions than solutions, and that curiosity naturally led me towards research. I completed a Master’s by Research at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, where I became fascinated by the possibilities of an academic career. After my master’s, I joined Professor Catherine Woods’ research team as a research assistant. The wealth of experience I gained working within the Physical Activity for Health Research Centre and PESS quickly confirmed that this was the right place for me to pursue a PhD and begin building a career in research.

Becoming Part of the PESS Community

One of the things I loved most about my time in PESS was the community. The shared office space, lunchtime chats, plenty of laughs and, most importantly, the friendships I’ve made will stay with me for life.

At PESS, you’re surrounded by people who are leaders in their fields, both nationally and internationally, yet they’re always willing to offer guidance, encouragement and support whenever you need it. That collaborative environment played a huge role in both my personal and professional development.

Researching Physical Activity in Schools

Throughout my PhD, I became particularly interested in the complexity of working within school settings, especially when designing interventions for adolescents.

Behaviour change is already challenging, but when you’re working with a population that is among the least physically active globally, the complexity increases even further. My research allowed me to develop a deep understanding of complex intervention development, implementation and evaluation, and this is an area I’m incredibly passionate about.

Opportunities That Shaped My Journey

There were so many memorable opportunities throughout my PhD that it’s difficult to choose just one highlight. Travelling to international conferences in Sweden and Paris, attending Erasmus+ meetings in France and Belgium, and participating in blended intensive programmes in Portugal were all incredible experiences.

I was fortunate to receive funding that made these opportunities possible, and I had supervisors who continually encouraged me to expand my horizons and build my international research network.

Beyond my own research, I tried to immerse myself in everything PESS had to offer. I attended lunchtime learning sessions, helped organise school-based research forums, served as the postgraduate representative on the departmental committee, got involved with activities in the Physical Activity for Health Research Centre and even attended coaching workshops to support my interest in Ladies Gaelic Football coaching. Looking back, some people might say I took on too much, but every opportunity helped me grow both personally and professionally.

Skills I’ll Take Forward

Over the course of my PhD, I developed countless skills that I’ll carry throughout my career. Time management, project management and organisation became essential, but I also learned how to work effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative team.

These skills have prepared me well for the next stage of my career and have given me confidence to take on new research challenges.

Advice for Future PhD Students

For anyone considering a PhD in Sport and Exercise Sciences or a related discipline, my biggest piece of advice is simple: make sure you genuinely love your research topic.

There will undoubtedly be difficult days, and it’s your passion for the subject that will keep you motivated when challenges arise.

Looking Ahead

I’m excited to begin the next stage of my career after securing a three-year postdoctoral research position in the School of Health and Human Performance at Dublin City University. I love research and hope that one day I’ll secure a permanent academic position where I can continue contributing to this field.

If there’s one thing I’d like prospective postgraduate students to know about studying at PESS, it’s that the opportunities are endless if you’re willing to get involved. PESS is full of people who want to help you succeed, and you’ll always find connections and opportunities to grow personally and professionally. Sometimes, all it takes is starting a conversation with someone.