Blog

When I first began researching visitor behaviour, I assumed that people’s travel decisions were shaped mostly by familiar factors like age, nationality, or income. After all, these are the categories we see most often in tourism statistics and marketing reports. However, during my PhD, I realised these surface-level categories only tell part of the story. What really matters is something deeper and far more enduring: our personality traits.

Posted on Wednesday, October 22, 2025

Tagged Postgraduate, Research

Michelle’s research centres on whistleblowing and the world of work. The core focus is on perceptions of employees in a high hazard sector regarding whistleblowing practices and understanding how lessons from external cases and interviews might strengthen these whistleblowing practices.

Posted on Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Tagged Postgraduate, Research

Every great hospitality experience starts long before a guest walks through the door. It begins with a search, a click, or a first impression online. The tone of the website, the clarity of the booking form, and even the loading speed on a mobile phone all shape a visitor’s expectations.

Posted on Tuesday, October 14, 2025

Tagged Apprenticeships, Digital UX

Just over a year ago, I stood in Tullie House Museum on the opening night of Backing the Blues exhibition, surrounded by former Carlisle United players, managers, lifelong fans, colleagues, students, and footballing families. I remember feeling a mix of excitement and nervous energy, wondering how people would react and hoping the months of hard work would feel worth it. It did.

Posted on Saturday, October 11, 2025

Tagged Media Arts, Research

The start of this 2025/26 academic year marks the beginning of the third year of my (now part-time) doctoral research, and I was beginning to understand what my investigation is all about. Then I found out that essential guidance in my topic area had changed, along with the source texts. Well, that changes everything… As I primarily work from home, no one was about to hear the screams. Luckily, however, I have a support group of postgraduates who I can turn to. But this hasn’t always been the case.

Posted on Wednesday, October 8, 2025

Tagged Postgraduate, Research

Social media is not just for sharing memes or catching up with friends anymore. It is reshaping how we connect, collaborate, and feel motivated at work.

Posted on Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Tagged Postgraduate, Research

When people ask how I write my PhD, I often reply: I walk it first. As a researcher exploring the role of walking in Jane Austen’s fiction, pedestrian movement is central not only to my subject matter, but to the way I think, feel, and create as a scholar. My project examines how walking in Austen’s novels becomes a site of emotional clarity, female autonomy, and reflection. But walking is not just something I write about; it is also how I write.

Posted on Wednesday, September 24, 2025

Tagged Postgraduate, Research

The UCAS personal statement is a key part of your university application, providing an opportunity to showcase your passion, experiences, skills, and future goals in a way that goes beyond exam results. The format of the personal statement is changing for 2026 entry – let's take a look at why this is and what it means for your application.  

Posted on Tuesday, September 9, 2025

Tagged Applications

During May and June 2025, seven students from the University of Cumbria (Turing Scheme Funded) travelled to India for a bi-lateral research placement. With the support of University of Cumbria staff (Dr Rich Johnson & Prof. Ian Convery) Cumbria students collaborated with postgraduates and faculty at the University of Delhi (Centre for Himalayan Studies, Department of Geography, International Students’ House, and Indraprastha College for Women). Read more about the assessment of floods in the Kullu District and the international collaboration of students, featuring their reflections on this cross-cultural learning venture.

Posted on Monday, August 11, 2025

Tagged Geography, Research

Ever wondered what it’s really like to be a student at university – beyond the lectures and late-night study sessions? Well, here’s a little peek behind the scenes of my everyday life as a student!

Posted on Tuesday, July 22, 2025

Tagged Student Life

Hi, I’m Timi, a first-year student pursuing a degree in Diagnostic Radiography! My course includes several placements across the three years of study, providing vital experience and practice in real-world settings. Here I share my experience of my first university placement and give you a glimpse into what a typical day is like.

Posted on Tuesday, July 22, 2025

Tagged Student Life

Moving to university is a big step – whether you’re coming straight from school, returning to education later in life, moving from abroad, or bringing family with you. Whatever your background, this guide is here to help you prepare for your new chapter at the University of Cumbria.

Posted on Monday, July 21, 2025

Tagged Accommodation, Student Life

Digital innovation is changing how we learn, work, and connect. Across the UK, employers in every sector are competing for people who can make technology meaningful. They are looking for professionals who combine digital capability with human understanding.

Posted on Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Tagged Apprenticeships, Digital UX

On 17th May Matt was invited to participate as an expert witness in the Health Innovation North East and North Cumbria (HI NENC) Citizens’ Jury on Persistent Pain Management. Matt was invited to share insights from his research into the use of emergency care by patients experiencing back pain.

Posted on Monday, June 30, 2025

Tagged Paramedic, Research

Heading to university doesn’t have to mean packing up your life and moving away. For many students, living at home while studying is a smart, practical, and empowering choice. Whether you’re looking to stay connected to your support network, save on costs, or ease the transition into uni life, staying local could be the perfect fit.

Posted on Tuesday, June 10, 2025

Tagged Clearing

Get Research Ready with Me (GRRWM) is a new project from Youth Co-research Collective and whilst we all have our own specific reasons for taking part, we share a curiosity about how research can be more genuinely inclusive of different backgrounds, ideas and priorities so that the focus and findings can inform work that will make an actual difference. Read more about the Youth Co-Research team and the first phase of Get Research Ready with Me project.

Posted on Wednesday, May 28, 2025

Tagged Research

Clearing may not have been part of your original university plan – but for lots of students each year, it becomes a second chance to find the right university course. If you’re wondering how to prepare for Clearing, this handy guide will help you understand the process, get organised in advance, and feel more confident when results day arrives.

Posted on Wednesday, April 30, 2025

Tagged Applications, Clearing, Undergraduate

Hi, I’m Muhammad Talha. I completed my MSc in International Management at the University of Cumbria in 2024. Originally from Pakistan, I earned my Bachelor's in Aviation Management in 2017, and after gaining work experience and navigating the pandemic, I decided to pursue a Master’s degree to expand my international perspective.

Posted on Wednesday, April 30, 2025

Tagged Lancaster

Dr Richard Johnson, Associate Professor in Geography, and Professor Bindhy Wasini Pandey, University of Delhi along with the wider HiFlo-DAT research team have launched an multimedia open access package, featuring a bi-lingual film and article in the International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction: ‘HiFlo-DAT’: A flood hazard event-disaster database for the Kullu District, Himachal Pradesh, Indian Himalaya’. Read more about the HiFlo-DAT and the team’s impact on disaster risk reduction in the Indian Himalayan region.

Posted on Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Tagged Geography, Research

The Local Government Association’s Transformation Capability Framework identifies Service Design and Innovation as a core skill area for modern councils, emphasising user research, accessibility, and experience design as essential to effective transformation.

Posted on Friday, March 14, 2025

Tagged Apprenticeships, Digital UX

To mark International Women’s Day on 8 March, we’re delighted to share a selection of empowering stories from women in our university community.

Posted on Tuesday, March 4, 2025

Tagged Community Work

We are delighted to announce that the Institute of Health at UoC is holding three public seminars over the next few months, starting with Exploring the Personal and Professional Identities and Support Needs of Those In Lived Experience with Dr Veenu Gupta.

Posted on Tuesday, January 7, 2025

Tagged Health and Wellbeing, Postgraduate, Psychology

The AHP-RIG will be launching in the New Year, with the aim of to bringing together like-minded researchers at UoC and in the NW/NE regional NHS, with any levels of research experience, and with a view to expanding research networks and opportunities for all.

Posted on Monday, December 23, 2024

Tagged Health and Wellbeing, Research

In the creative industries, good design has always been about more than looks. Whether you run a digital studio, marketing agency, or production company, success depends on how well your work meets the needs of real users. The line between creativity and usability has blurred, and that is where User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) design now sit at the heart of creative strategy.

Posted on Tuesday, December 17, 2024

Tagged Apprenticeships, Digital UX

In healthcare, design decisions shape the quality of care. User Experience (UX) is the practice of making every interaction clearer, kinder, and safer. It connects digital systems with empathy, helping the NHS deliver its promise of compassionate, effective care.

Posted on Tuesday, December 17, 2024

Tagged Apprenticeships, Digital UX

A personal statement is your chance to highlight the experiences and talents that make you, YOU! Whether it’s a school project, work experience, volunteering, or even a book that inspired you, this is your chance to explain what drives your passion for your chosen course. In this blog, we share tips and strategies to help you craft a standout statement with ease.

Posted on Monday, December 2, 2024

Tagged Applications, Undergraduate

When you think about life at university, you probably imagine days spent studying, late nights fuelled by coffee, and weekends working on essays and projects.

Posted on Friday, November 8, 2024

Tagged Employability, Student Life

There are so many reasons why you might be choosing to go to university. It could be a necessary next step in moving towards your chosen career, or maybe you have a love for learning and want to dive deeper into a subject you enjoy! Whatever your motivations are, there’s no doubt about it - a degree comes with a whole range of benefits.

Posted on Friday, November 8, 2024

Tagged Employability, Student Life

Why Choose a Degree Over a Degree Apprenticeship? Your Guide to Making the Right Choice for You. Deciding between a degree and a degree apprenticeship can feel like a big decision. Both paths offer unique benefits and can set you up for success in your future career. However, while apprenticeships provide a practical, hands-on experience, choosing a traditional degree can open the door to a broader range of opportunities, both academically and personally. Here's why opting for a degree at a university like the University of Cumbria might be the ideal path for you.

Posted on Monday, September 16, 2024

Tagged Ambleside, Applications, Carlisle, Lancaster, London, Undergraduate

If you want to study for a health-related undergraduate or postgraduate degree or are going into your second or third year of study in a health discipline, we have great news: you may be eligible for an NHS Learning Support Fund (NHS LSF) grant. Continue reading for more details on who is eligible to apply, how and when you can apply and how you will receive your payments.

Posted on Thursday, August 29, 2024

Tagged Health and Wellbeing

Everyone deserves a high standard of education, but not everyone is able to access the education that is available to them. This may be because of physical barriers, mental barriers or social/cultural barriers. Whatever the reason though, it’s vitally important that no one feels left out because of their individual situation. That’s where you come in.

Posted on Thursday, July 18, 2024

Tagged Research, Science

In safety-critical industries such as defence, nuclear engineering, and advanced manufacturing, design decisions can influence outcomes measured in seconds, precision, or human safety. Whether it is a digital dashboard in a control room, an augmented-reality maintenance system, or a training simulator, clarity and usability are not optional. They are integral to how people and machines work together.

Posted on Tuesday, July 9, 2024

Tagged Apprenticeships, Digital UX