Postgraduate Study Visit Scheme: “I remember feeling a bit daunted at first, but it turned out to be such a rewarding experience” 

Early career researcher Ruth Medcalf-Bell shares her experience of spending eight weeks in Oslo through the BPS Postgraduate Study Visit Scheme and her advice for anyone applying for this year's Scheme.  

Where do you work and what is your role? 

I currently work at Northumbria University in Newcastle upon Tyne as an early career researcher. 

At the time of my research visit, I was in the second year of my PhD at Northumbria and in the middle of data collection and analysis. My research involved using an experimental task (auditory signal detection) to explore how people perceive sound and the cognitive processes that might lead to auditory hallucinations.  

The visit came at a pivotal point for me, as it helped me to start thinking beyond the PhD and laid the groundwork for my development as an independent researcher. 

Where did you apply to visit with the Scheme and why did you choose that educational institution? 

I applied to visit Oslo University (UiO) in Norway, specifically to work with Prof. Frank Larøi. His well-established expertise in cognition, hallucinations, psychosis, and audiology closely aligns with the focus of my research, and UiO offered a unique and stimulating environment to further develop these interests. 

What was the highlight(s) of your visit?  

There were a few stand-out moments that made this visit such a meaningful experience. First and foremost, the visit reignited my excitement for research. I had the chance to engage with a diverse mix of researchers and clinicians from anthropology and psychology, which opened new ways of thinking.  

These conversations helped me appreciate the wide-ranging cultural, philosophical and theoretical perspectives on how we perceive the world around us. The visit had a real impact on how I reflect on my research and my place within the wider academic community. In the words of Wayne Dyer, 'Change the way you look at things, and the things you look at change'.   

Another key highlight was the opportunity to present a talk to the Clinical Psychology Department at UiO on hallucinations and auditory signal detection tasks. It was a brilliant experience to share my work with such an engaged audience of practitioners and academics.  

I also made the most of being in a different academic environment by attending two thought-provoking half-day symposia organised by RITMO Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies in Rhythm, Time and Motion and the COPE (Complexity in Treatment Outcome, Psychopathology and Epidemiology) research groups at UiO. These sessions offered fresh insights that fed directly into my thinking around perception and mental health.  

Together these experiences cemented the visit as a turning point for me, not just in terms of academic growth, but in building my confidence, curiosity, and a sense of belonging within the research world. 

 How did you fit the visit around your work and studies?  

Great question! This was something I had to think carefully about. Any research visit requires appropriate planning, not just for the trip itself but also for how it fits into your wider work. I made sure to align the visit with my PhD timeline so that it supported my ongoing studies and allowed space for future collaborations.  

While I was away from my home institution, the focus of my work didn't pause. In fact, the change of environment gave me new energy and perspective. I also learned a lot from the working culture at UiO, which has since helped me work more productively and with better focus. 

What advice would you give to someone considering applying this year? 

Absolutely go for it! I remember feeling a bit daunted at first as I was working in a different country, with new people, and at a new institution, but it turned out to be such a rewarding experience. 

If this is something that resonates with you, I'd say take a deep breath and take the leap. As psychologists, our curiosity about people and experience is one of our biggest strengths. From my experience, that curiosity can open doors to research collaborations that are genuinely welcoming, enriching and supportive.  

I was lucky enough to receive funding both from the BPS Research Visit Scheme and the Turing Scheme to support this visit, and I'm so grateful to both for making it possible.  

Postgraduate Study Visit Scheme 2025 

Visit Postgraduate Study Visit Scheme to find out more about applying for this year's Scheme. 

Deadline for the Postgraduate Study Visit Scheme 2025 is 8 June.