
- Course ignited graduate’s interest in women's health and menopause
- Topic is an area that historically has often been overlooked
- Her study is due to be published.
A recent graduate from Aston University says her course allowed her to explore the issue of women’s health and menopause and hopes to continue her research in the under-explored field.
Dr Lisa Pepper graduated from the University at its first winter graduation which took place in the city centre on Monday 20 January.
Dr Pepper juggled her studies with family commitments and her job as head of the psychology department at the University of Essex online managing their degrees.
Despite already holding several academic qualifications including a PhD she chose to take the MSc Health Psychology course because she has a passion for health and wellbeing and wanted to learn more about the field. As well having a personal interest she decided to take the course because she wanted to enhance her knowledge and skills in psychology with the potential for a change in career in the future.
As part of her masters, she researched and wrote a dissertation about women's health and menopause, an area that historically has often been overlooked. Her paper was so compelling Lisa and her supervisor are publishing it and Lisa hopes to develop her research further.
Lisa, who lives in Leeds said: “The course has increased my knowledge of research methods and the new developments in psychology. I really enjoyed the group work and debating we did in one of the modules.
“I think learning how to juggle the demands of studying, alongside work and family commitments has been a great learning experience, as well as challenging myself to do my best in something I've not studied before.
“It's been challenging at times but challenging in the right way and I would recommend studying at Aston University to anyone - and I often do!”
Approximately 4,500 graduates and guests attended the ceremony which was held at Symphony Hall in Birmingham city centre. Not only does 2025 mark its first winter graduation it also marks 130 years since the foundation of Birmingham Municipal Technical School, the educational establishment which eventually evolved into Aston University.
- Notes to editors
About Aston University
For over a century, Aston University’s enduring purpose has been to make our world a better place through education, research and innovation, by enabling our students to succeed in work and life, and by supporting our communities to thrive economically, socially and culturally.
Aston University’s history has been intertwined with the history of Birmingham, a remarkable city that once was the heartland of the Industrial Revolution and the manufacturing powerhouse of the world.
Born out of the First Industrial Revolution, Aston University has a proud and distinct heritage dating back to our formation as the School of Metallurgy in 1875, the first UK College of Technology in 1951, gaining university status by Royal Charter in 1966, and becoming The Guardian University of the Year in 2020.
Building on our outstanding past, we are now defining our place and role in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (and beyond) within a rapidly changing world.
For media inquiries in relation to this release, contact Nicola Jones, Press and Communications Manager, on (+44) 7825 342091 or email: n.jones6@aston.ac.uk