I’m Rebecca Ford and I’m a PhD student at the Centre for Nordic Studies, which is part of the University of the Highlands and Islands.

As a mature student my academic journey has meant balancing my studies with part-time employment and parenting, which has proved both challenging and immensely rewarding.

I feel very lucky to be able to carry out research in the place where I grew up and still live, and I am very grateful for all the support, encouragement and help I receive from folk in the Orkney community.

When I’m not thinking about meaning making and marine renewables I am most likely to be found knitting, or getting muddy in the garden.