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Anastasia Kovalenko

My CV

  • Education:

    1998-2008 – primary, secondary and high school specialised in English language and literature, Kyiv, Ukraine

    2008-2012 – BA in Social Work, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Ukraine

    2010-2012 – BA English Language and Literature, Kyiv National Linguistic University, Kyiv, Ukraine

    2012-2013 – MSc Social and Organisational Psychology, University of Exeter, UK

    2017-2021 – PhD in Medical Studies, University of Exeter, UK

  • Qualifications:

    In Ukraine the system is slightly different than here. You don’t get to choose specific subjects that you want to study until you finish school. For your final exams you can  pick subjects that are needed at the university of your choice. For example, I knew I wanted to be a psychologist so I had to pick Biology, Language and Literature and History for my final exams.

    My BA gave me all the theoretical knowledge that I needed in order to get my MSc.

    I’d always wanted to live in the UK, so when I was deciding where to do my MSc, the answer was pretty clear! During my MSc at the University of Exeter I fell in love with social psychology and behaviour change. I was coding behaviour of people in CCTV clips to understand what they would do when they saw two people arguing. I discovered my passion for research and violence prevention.

    In 2017 I decided to move to the UK to fulfil my need and passion for research. I get to do my own research, test my hypotheses and ideas, and meet other likeminded researchers!

  • Work History:

    2012 – HR Analyst, Kyiv, Ukraine

    2014-2016 – Administrative Assistant, EU funded Road Safety project, Kyiv, Ukraine

    2016-2017 – Administrator, International Road Safety Centre, Kyiv, Ukraine

    2018-2020 – Postgraduate Teaching Assistant, University of Exeter, UK

    2020 – Associate Lecturer, Exeter College, UK

    2021-present – Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Exeter, UK.

  • Current Job:

    I am finishing my PhD at the Medical School and have already started my postdoctoral job as a research associate at the children’s health research centre. In my work, I’m helping to develop a new way to support children with Cystic Fibrosis and their families in staying active and feeling well.

    • About Me:

      I am a PhD researcher and a research associate in the area of behaviour change. I like to learn new things and help other people through my research.

      Let’s play ‘2 truths and 1 lie’! Can you guess which two of the following are true?

      1. I cry when I ride a rollercoaster
      2. I speak 5 languages.
      3. I have over 20 houseplants.
    • Read more

      Hi Everyone, my name is Anastasia! I live in Exeter, I moved here in 2017 from Ukraine.

      Since I was a kid, I couldn’t understand inequality, and I wanted to make the world a better place for all.

      I love to travel (I have been to over 25 countries!). I want to travel to as many countries as I can. I want to meet new people, learn about their culture, traditions, and food.

      I love to read books and my favourite one is Harry Potter by JK Rowling (all of them!). I even have my own blog and get sent new books from publishers for free! (well, in exchange for a review)

      I love to go to the seaside, practice paddleboarding, and to take pictures of the night sky!

    • Read more

      You’re walking in the street and suddenly notice two boys arguing. What do you do? Do you stop and observe? Do you ask them to stop? Do you ask your friend to do something?

      Now imagine it was a boy and a girl. Would you do the same thing? And if it was complete strangers?… And if they’re older? Or younger?…

      In my research as a social psychologist, I look at different ways of how you could safely help others, making sure that you’re safe in the first place.

      We delivered a programme at the Football club, showing and explaining stuff about violence, what other people usually think when they witness something, and of course, we showed them some safe ways of helping others. And then I did interviews with football players to understand how they would answer all of those questions that I’ve just asked you. It’s one of the ways to measure behaviour change.

      There’s so much we can do, and so much we can learn about other people’s behaviour, reactions, and thoughts when it comes to helping others! Would you like to learn more? Just ask!

    • My Typical Day:

      Most of my time I work in the office (here’s a picture of our campus!), at my desk, but of course, now with the pandemic, I’m allowed to work from home. Do you know what that means? I can wear my pyjamas!

      During the day, I read and write a lot. I feel like a professional writer! It might sound boring, but it’s actually quite fun! We have writing sessions when other researchers join me and we all write together. I sometimes teach Social psychology to undergraduate students, and that’s quite fun too! Especially when I get to develop my own ideas of teaching.

    • Read more

      I am quite flexible as a researcher and can work whenever it is convenient for me: sometimes I work 9 till 5, sometimes – 12 till 7, or even take 1 day off and then work during the weekend!

      I get up at 8am, have my breakfast and go for a short walk. (before the pandemic I liked to walk to the office, grab a coffee on my way. I cooked my own lunch, took it with me and put it in the fridge at the University (but I ALWAYS have to put a sticker to make sure no one nicks it! That happened before… someone ate my salad!))

      9am-7pm – I read lots of research papers, and then write my thoughts and ideas. I also go to the Football Club to do the interviews with football coaches and players. It usually doesn’t take longer than 1 hour. After that, I return to my desk and transcribe the interviews.

      Using some techniques, I analyse those interviews and… voila! I have a story to tell!

      I also prepare presentations because sometimes I get to travel to conferences. This is when I get to present my research to other scientists and see what they’ve been up to. My recent conference was in Los Angeles, USA, and I was very excited to present my research (not only because I wanted to go to California! :))

    • What I'd do with the prize money:

      I have 2 ideas, and if I win, I will need you, dear students, to guide me and vote for your favourite idea between the two (because my goal is to support YOU and I need to make sure that it’s relevant):

      1. To start a psychology and outreach vlog called ‘Our Brain vs…’
      2. To start a vlog to discuss the latest research on the prevention of bullying/cyberbullying (with the support of Public Health England) to raise awareness and support children and young people.

    • My Interview

      • How would you describe yourself in 3 words?

        A dreamer, preventing violence.

        What did you want to be after you left school?

        At school I wanted to be... an actress!! But in my final year I realised I wanted to be a psychologist.

        Were you ever in trouble at school?

        I was a quiet girl, so... nope!

        Who is your favourite singer or band?

        Florence + the Machine

        What's your favourite food?

        A steak with some veggies.

        If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!

        1. I would wish to be more self-compassionate. It's, very important to take care of yourself and prioritise your wellbeing. 2. To be more confident in myself - I can do it. And you can do it! Just believe in yourself and be patient. 3. To have enough money to sponsor research in low and middle income countries, to develop a programme to prevent violence against women and girls, and to travel the world.

        Tell us a joke.

        A photon checks into a hotel and is asked if he needs any help with his luggage. He says, "No, I'm traveling light."

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