How Biology Led to a Career in the Domestic Abuse Sector

When I started my biology degree back in 2021, I could never have predicted that four years later I'd be working as a data analyst in the domestic abuse sector. Yet my MRes degree in Biosciences at Aberystwyth University is the foundation for everything I do now. It was during this time that I discovered my love for working with data and the impact it can have, whether in science or in the charity sector.

The independence built into the MRes course was key. I had full control over my research project, which focused on vaccine acceptance and communication preferences in the UK - a topic I am genuinely passionate about. I was responsible for every stage of the process, from designing the survey to analysing the results, which gave me the freedom to experiment with different analytical approaches and build a skillset that has been invaluable in my current role.

I spent hours each day in the Llandinam postgraduate centre working on data I’d collected through my survey or from other national datasets. The more I worked with it, the more curious I became and the more motivated I was to solve complex formulas and refine my analysis. The MRes also taught me how to be adaptable. Because I had the freedom to choose my own tools and methods, I learned how to teach myself new techniques and troubleshoot problems. This has been extremely beneficial in my current role where there’s always something new to learn and embracing mistakes is part of the process!

Now , I'm almost three months into my data analyst role and I'm already the lead analyst on a domestic abuse programme focused on supporting victims from marginalised communities. Knowing that the skills I developed through my biosciences degree in Aberystwyth are now helping those who need it most is extremely rewarding. Looking back, my MRes degree has shaped me into the analyst that I am now. There are so many skills you develop through a biosciences degree that can take you down a path you might never have expected. And wherever my path takes me, I really hope it’s back to Aberystwyth.

Learn more about our MRes Biosciences courses HERE.