This winning presentation examines how disabled young adults experience the transition from school to adulthood. Using accessible interviews and layered multimodal analysis, it captures communication beyond speech. Findings show that belonging, relationships and purpose matter, but being listened to is the top priority, and future planning should begin with people’s goals.

This PhD investigates child-parent violence and abuse in Wales, a hidden and stigmatised problem lacking clear definitions and theoretical understanding. Through a scoping review and collaborative qualitative research, she will examine stakeholder perspectives and overlooked lived experiences, aiming to co-create knowledge that supports safer, more effective interventions for families.

This research examines how maternal self-efficacy develops during matrescence, the transition to motherhood. Through interviews with new mothers and analysis of the SPACE programme, it shows that confidence in parenting grows not from perfection but from supportive environments, highlighting the need to rebuild community support for new mothers.

This research explores how autoimmune disease affects identity in young adults. Interviews with 25 New Zealanders revealed that diagnosis reshapes identity, relationships with the body, and perceptions of disability. The findings suggest that supporting identity—not just treating disease—could improve health behaviours, wellbeing, and long-term outcomes for people with autoimmune conditions.

This research examines how nationalism is embedded in China's entertainment industry, where celebrities become vehicles for political messaging. Through archival research, industry interviews, and audience surveys, it shows that nationalism persists through everyday normalisation rather than belief, offering broader insights into the growing intersection of politics, popular culture, and identity.

Nigeria’s international reputation can disadvantage entrepreneurs through a “liability of origin.” Interviews with 12 nation-branding practitioners and policymakers show that trust cannot be repaired quickly through slogans. Credible nation branding requires managing tensions between promises and delivery, and between demands for rapid reputational improvement and the slow pace of institutional reform.

This study explores how people with endometriosis make treatment decisions while preserving future fertility. Through interviews with 38 patients across British Columbia, it reveals that personal values, healthcare access, provider relationships, structural barriers, and societal factors all shape decision-making, highlighting opportunities to improve patient-centred reproductive care.

This research examines how changing reproductive laws affect access to IVF following the Alabama embryo personhood ruling. Using interviews, observation, and policy analysis, it reveals how legal uncertainty threatens fertility treatment, reproductive autonomy, and healthcare access, while informing policies that better protect reproductive rights and family-building opportunities.

This research examines why AI adoption often fails in medium-sized businesses despite significant investment. By interviewing employees and leaders, it develops a practical framework that treats AI as a new colleague requiring onboarding, trust, and cultural integration. The findings will help organisations implement AI more successfully and improve long-term adoption.

This study explores how mindfulness can support student-athlete well-being in high-pressure sporting environments. Through interviews, course analysis, and coaching reflections, the research found that mindfulness strengthens personal agency, emotional regulation, and holistic self-identity. The findings informed the development of a mindfulness-based curriculum for athletes and coaches.