Angie Boyle - Student Story | University of Cumbria

Redefining the Past - Adults Who Grew Up Experiencing Domestic Abuse

Angie decided to pursue her PhD after years of supporting victims of domestic abuse. She had witnessed its impact on her friends and those closest to her. Although this wasn’t her own childhood experience, she recognised the lasting effects and became curious about how these experiences shaped people over a lifetime.

“It was one of the longest interviews and I remember thinking, ‘An uplift must be coming.’ But the sheer volume of what this person had been through was staggering. And yet, they still moved their family forward. That interview captured everything. It was possibly the most horrifying and yet most inspiring story I heard.”

Until recently, Angie worked as a Senior Lecturer in Social Work and a Lecturer in Health, Psychology, and Social Studies within the Institute of Health at the University. She left to pursue other opportunities and now offers a holistic approach to self-care and emotional well-being, alongside a range of personal and professional development services. Prior to this she was working full time whilst completing her PhD. She shared:

“The support I received throughout my PhD was phenomenal. Everyone I encountered was genuinely invested in helping me succeed. It’s a huge individual journey, and I don’t think people always realise that until they’re in it. But I never felt alone.

“My lead supervisor was an absolute rock. I couldn’t have done it without her. That kind of personalised support, it reflects what I experienced: encouragement, expertise, and a community that really backs its researchers."

Upon receiving her PhD, Angie said: “As someone who had supported many student cohorts in social work, I am proud to be among the first to graduate as a Doctor under Cumbria’s own awarding powers. I don’t know how many have graduated now, but I am proud to be part of that beginning."

Her advice to anyone considering a PhD “When I was 18, I fluffed my A-levels and got worse results than I expected. I thought my world had ended—just like many of my participants did at their lowest points. But there’s a path for everyone. Just go for it. Live your dream. Don’t let anything stop you.

“I came through clearing for my very first undergraduate degree. That initial disappointment of not going where I thought I would was tough. And yet, here I am today, graduating as a Doctor. So, everything is possible.”