To undertake postgraduate study, I made an application for the ESRC-funded NINE DTP programme (1+3 pathway). This studentship includes the opportunity of a fully funded Master degree and PhD placement: fees and stipend. The NINE DTP awards are highly competitive, with over one hundred applicants in the academic year 2017-2018. After a successful research proposal, I became the first Queen’s University student accepted for the NINE DTP 1+3 placement.