Congratulations to Dr Emma Maslin!

Dr Emma Maslin graduated this summer following the successful defence of the PhD thesis 'Commuting to class: an ethnography of commuter students’ experiences of UK Higher Education.'

Emma first joined the School of Eduction in 2012 on our joint Education Studies and Sociology programme, graduating in 2015. Emma's undergraduate dissertation was supervised by Professor Jonathan Tummons, who celebrated with Emma - this time as her PhD supervisor - along with fellow supervisor Dr Cristina Costa, at this year's graduation ceremony. Emma immediately followed up her undergraduate degree with a Postgraduate qualification in Education in 2016. Emma returned to Durham a few years later to begin her doctorate studies, first completing a Postgraduate Certificate in Research Methods in 2021 and earning her doctorate in 2025.

Emma and her fellow BA Education Studies cohort, along with Dr Sophie Ward and Professor Martin Richardson in 2012.

‘Being part of the School of Education has always felt like being part of a family. It shaped my studies and my further career in a way that I could never have anticipated. My pre-reading for my first year on the BA Education Studies – Sociology degree led to my undergraduate dissertation topic, which took me into my field of widening participation and student support. An area which subsequently led to my PhD research and work now in higher education policy. I was also fortunate enough to be taught and supported by wonderful academic staff. I wouldn’t be where I am without them, particularly my wonderful supervisors.’

Dr Emma Maslin

Emma celebrates with Professor Martin Richardson and Professor Jonathan Tummons at the School of Education graduation ceremony in 2015.

'Emma’s time at Durham, from undergraduate to doctoral studies and interspersed with periods spent working firstly in school outreach and later in student support, displays an intellectual trajectory that has been one of the highlights of my professional career to have been a part of. From her undergraduate dissertation via her master’s thesis and finally her doctoral research, Emma has undertaken research of increasing sophistication that has informed not only academic publications, but also – equally if not more importantly – her wider ethical commitment to working with and for so-called ‘non-traditional’ students in her current role at AMOSSHE, where her work has already had a meaningful impact.'

Professor Jonathan Tummons