Georgie Richards is studying for a MSc in Psychology at Cardiff University.
As part of my degree, I completed a 12‑week work placement at DECIPHer, and it has become the most meaningful experience of my postgraduate journey.
I’ve always been drawn to social and health psychology, particularly the ways we can support wellbeing through holistic and nature-based approaches. My interest in therapy animals, outdoor activities, and alternative methods for improving mental and physical health stems from my undergraduate degree in Anthrozoology, where I explored human–animal relationships and their impact on wellbeing. DECIPHer immediately stood out to me because of the PHIRST-Insight project with the North Somerset Healthy Workplaces Programme, which evaluates workplace health and wellbeing. Through my placement, I also had the opportunity to contribute to the RISE project, a study focused on reducing food inequalities across Wales.
Going into this placement, I hoped to immerse myself in research, apply and develop the skills I learned at university, and build confidence in a professional research environment. I also wanted the chance to network, collaborate, and gain a clearer sense of career paths available within public health and research. DECIPHer exceeded every expectation.
My placement at DECIPHer has been the most rewarding experience of my MSc journey, from the moment I arrived I felt genuinely supported. The team was friendly, approachable, and invested in my development. Throughout, I engaged in a wide range of research activities, training from DECIPHer’s short courses and creative methods workshops. I contributed to qualitative and quantitative methods- data collection, analysis, coding, data interpretation, literature reviews, presentations, and attended two research project away days that offered insight into wider research strategy and team collaboration. I also had the opportunity to work with and help an undergraduate summer intern settle in, which was a rewarding experience that helped me develop communication skills.
‘The greatest takeaway from my time at DECIPHer has been the exceptional support from my supervisors.’
Some of the most worthwhile moments have undoubtedly been connection and creativity. I loved collaborating within multidisciplinary teams, networking with researchers across projects, designing posters and research materials and diving into coding and analysis – especially seeing patterns emerge from data. I’m also grateful for the friendships formed with other interns which made the experience even more enjoyable, we arranged social events outside of work like go-karting, yoga and clubbing!
The greatest takeaway from my time at DECIPHer has been the exceptional support from my supervisors, Dr Samantha Garay and Dr Jemma Hawkins. They offered the perfect balance of guidance and independence, encouraging my development and to take initiative while always being available when I needed direction. Their mentorship opened my eyes to the many career possibilities within research and public health. These experiences and their encouragement strengthened my practical research skills and personal development.
Looking ahead, I’m exploring several career paths, including the possibility of a PhD as well as research assistant roles. My interests remain rooted in public health and research, and this placement has highlighted the many opportunities that exist within these areas. DECIPHer has given me confidence to keep pursuing work that aligns with my values: supporting wellbeing and contributing evidence‑based change.
