Testimonials - Mentoring
Nigel was my mentor in 2024/2025. He was an excellent sounding board and showed a genuine interest in my subject matter and research. I benefited greatly from his wisdom, particularly his deep knowledge of qualitative research and thematic analysis. Having a mentor outside my institution was incredibly valuable, providing fresh perspectives and objective support. Nigel was accessible, and the series of planned virtual Zoom sessions in my diary helped me maintain momentum during the analysis and write-up stages of my postgraduate doctoral studies. His guidance and support enhanced my confidence during a part of my academic journey which was new and daunting, and I highly recommend working with Nigel to anyone seeking an experienced and insightful mentor.
E.W.
Postgraduate Student, Doctoral Studies
University of London
Professor Nigel King mentored me throughout my PhD on template analysis. My work tackled the complex social problem of unmet mental health needs among refugees living in England and required an interdisciplinary approach and a systems thinking lens with which to analyse multiple service user and provider perspectives. To undertake this task and produce empirical evidence that would stand up to scrutiny and create a convincing argument for change in policy and practice, careful consideration was necessary for detail orientation and an iterative approach during decision making. Professor King provided guidance on the how to conduct a template analysis on vast and complex data sets, offering a scaffold of support and analytical techniques on how to manage data with robust auditing processes that challenged thinking at each step of the development of the final template. During mentoring, discussions centred on definitions of themes, the meaning applied to the data and how they combined, interrelated and produced a meaningful and authentic representation of the system’s response to the service needs of the target population sample. Indeed, I am an advocate of template analysis for the rigor it provides researchers, a tool with which to unpack complex problems and produce valuable insights into how change can be implemented. Nigel is a fantastic mentor, challenging the growth in my methodological and analytical skills set while engaging in philosophical discussions about the ‘how’ and ‘why’. The contributions made to my work through Nigel’s mentorship have enabled meaningful contributions to systemic change. I am most grateful to have had the opportunity to work with Professor King throughout my PhD journey, that inevitably created opportunities to apply my knowledge and skills set to further my academic career.
Dr Sarah A. Hunt
(2023-2025) **
I discovered Professor Nigel King’s work through his publications on qualitative thematic analysis, which were incredibly helpful for my PhD research. As a mother of two young children, working full-time while pursuing a PhD in my limited free time – and with little support from my university department – the journey often felt overwhelming. My research, being interdisciplinary and methodologically complex, posed additional challenges, and I struggled to find a clear path forward.
Despite seeking help in various places, I felt stuck. The long gaps between data collection phases and the asymmetrical nature of my data made it difficult to integrate the core components of a research study: philosophical assumptions, theoretical frameworks, methodology, research strategy, and data analysis. For years, I wrestled with these elements, unsure of how to connect them coherently.
Everything changed when I began working with Professor King. His guidance was transformational. He provided clarity on methodology, philosophical positioning, thesis structure, and data analysis strategies. With his support, I was finally able to see the way forward – he truly was the light at the end of the tunnel.
Over the course of a year, through regular meetings, Professor Nigel offered expert advice and thoughtful feedback that helped me regain my confidence and put my research on solid footing. He not only guided me through the technical aspects of the project but also helped me believe in the quality and value of my work. Thanks to his mentorship, I now feel proud of my research – rigorous, coherent, and of high academic standard. His approach to data analysis enabled me to work meaningfully with a complex and pluralistic dataset, leading to insightful findings I am excited to share. I am now presenting my work at research seminars in preparation for my PhD viva, and I feel well-equipped thanks to the strategic preparation he has provided, including anticipating potential examiner questions.
I am deeply grateful for Professor King’s exceptional mentorship. His ability to challenge my thinking while offering genuine support has been instrumental in my academic and personal growth. I feel incredibly fortunate to have crossed paths with him – without his guidance, I would not have been able to produce such a strong and coherent PhD study or feel so prepared for the next stage.
