Mrs Monique Cleary

My research focuses on what is required to develop and implement an inclusive, multisectoral and diverse pre-university level pipeline to cultivate the future foot health workforce of England? My aim is to develop an innovative and inclusive multisectoral foot health workforce pipeline, building capacity to meet future demands, keeping England active and on their feet.  

Previous to academia, I worked as a merchandiser and planner within some of Britan’s best known fashion retailers, involving financial planning, logistics and strategic forecasting. However, during the pandemic I decided to retrain and follow a more altruistic career. At the University of Southampton, I studied Podiatry and after achieving a First Class Hons in (BSc) 2024, I had the privilege of advancing directly to a PhD at the university, after an arduous application process.

Within the university I have had the opportunity to lead a research project as an undergraduate after winning a FELs EDI funded award. The project Confident to Talk, was peer-led and explored the barriers which students face on reporting racism while on university required work-placements. This research project gave me an insight into the work of a researcher and opened the pathway to considering the opportunity of a PhD.   

Monique's PhD studentship is funded by a FELS Black Futures.