Rachel is a AHRC Northern Bridge funded PhD student in the school of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics at Queens University, Belfast. Her research focuses on the relationship between female criminality and society in what would become Northern Ireland from the 1880s to 1930s.
Rachel’s research engages with timeless topics such as courtship and relationships, mental health, sex work, employment and the work-place, institutionalisation and parenthood. Through this, she hopes that her research can broaden understandings of everyday life in Northern Ireland during a tumultuous period in local, national, and international history by including those who are often not able to make a mark on the historical record.
During her time at university, Rachel has been involved in various projects to improve access to education. She has enjoyed working with the Widening Participation Unit, volunteering at Homework Clubs in Belfast and working as an English Language Assistant in a Spanish Primary School.