Pamela Mary Stagg-Jones, PhD 2008

'I gained confidence in my ideas and my research from my time as a student at Moray House. My life is more confident in every way. It was a life-changing time.'

Thesis:

A Philosophical Investigation into the Concept of Quality in Education 

Supervisor

Professor Morwenna Griffiths

Where are you from? 

Great Britain

How did you fund your PhD?

Self-funded

How did you find postgraduate research study at Moray House? 

All of it was challenging but each stage I found rewarding and encouraging. Although all the students I met were the age of my children or grandchildren, I was welcomed and  I was able to enjoy the student milieu created and sustained for us all.

What made you choose Moray House School of Education and Sport?

My Professor was appointed Chair of Classroom Learning at Moray House and I was allowed to follow her because I had started my PhD with her. I want to emphasise that the transition to Edinburgh was the best thing that happened for me.  In stark contrast, here I was greeted with the facilities and the research staff, including the administration, at Moray House that made my continuation not only possible but immensely enjoyable and worthwhile. I cannot thank all those involved enough.

Where are you now? What are you working on and how has your time with us influenced your current work?

I am now 80 and officially retired but still do voluntary work teaching philosophy for children in Primary Schools. I have offered a course of professional development for teachers examining educational concepts and their application to primary schools entitled 'Metaphors, Metaphysics and Metamorphosis'.

I gained confidence in my ideas and my research from my time as a student at Moray House. My life is more confident in every way. It was a life-changing time.

Alumni wisdom: If you could offer a piece of advice to fellow members of the University of Edinburgh community, what would it be?

Keep going! I had many hurdles on the way. It would have been easier to give up. I wanted to get my thesis written and my research approved more than anything so I just kept going. My supervisor and all who supported me were the reason for the completion and my success. I appreciate every moment of my two years spent at Moray House.