Alex Theophilus

My background is in the social sciences, with a Bachelors degree in Criminology/Sociology and a Masters degree in Social Science Research Methods. I gained further teaching qualifications in teaching adults and English as a second language before working as a teacher in the UK and for a time in Spain, teaching English to speakers of other languages and the social sciences. I then moved on to working in public policy in various government departments and arms-length bodies, including the Department for Education, Judicial Office, Welsh Government and DEFRA, with highlights including working with the senior judiciary on criminal justice policy during the COVID pandemic and a successful spending bid to fund extra early help services. 

My research explores how young men living in Cornwall use music to facilitate their wellbeing. It does this by using a phenomenological research framework, consisting of semi-structured interviews and a suite of ethnographic methods (to be decided after completion of the interviews). My research is funded by LAHP. 

I have always wanted to make the transition into research. I enjoy learning, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, I learned to play the piano and clarinet again and became interested in the relationship between music and wellbeing, inspiring me to draft the research proposal for this project. 

I have really enjoyed the first year of my PhD journey and since starting I have presented and chaired at a variety of conferences, both in College and further afield.  

In my free time, I enjoy walking, learning Spanish, travelling and exploring, playing and listening to music, and my new fascination – horse riding! 

Faculties / departments: Research

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