Hannah Ravenhall

About Hannah

Hannah is a fourth-year medical student at the University of Sunderland. As part of an National Institute for Health and Care (NIHR) summer studentship, she reached out to Dr Eugene Tang for supervision. She was hoping to gain a better understanding of the academic world as an aspiring doctor. She had not yet worked on a research paper intended for publication, so she hoped this opportunity would provide valuable experience.

'I was unsure of the steps involved in publishing my own research and hoped to develop a better understanding of this by the end of my time with the APCCU.'

How the APCCU supported Hannah

The APCCU provided her with mentors, ensuring that she always had someone to turn to for advice. The APCCU signposted her, and supported her to access, resources such as Rayyan and EndNote, as well as helping her to identify various professionals to assist her with her research.

'The APCCU provided the foundations and resources for me to present at an international conference, which was something I had not really considered before'

Personal and professional development

Hannah feels that she has gained clarity and a better understanding of what it takes to produce a publishable piece of research. This includes considering the various factors involved, in particular how integral it is to have a strong team. Hannah has presented at national and international conferences and believes that the APCCU has improved her confidence to present at such events.

From engaging with the APCCU, Hannah feels that she has learnt a great deal about what her future could look like. She greatly enjoys academic work and feels that this experience has helped her to see the academic opportunities available as a future doctor. As a result, she is keen to explore applying for the Specialised Foundation Programme (SFP).

'Prior to this experience, I wasn’t aware that the SFP existed or realised how much I might enjoy it.'

Final thoughts

Hannah believes that, for anyone establishing themselves at the beginning of their academic career, the APCCU can provide fundamental support and opportunities. Without their guidance, she believes she would not have achieved what she has today.

Last modified: Fri, 26 Jun 2026 09:55:14 BST