Reflections from Masters Students at the EthicsLab

Picture this: a room buzzing with debate, ideas flowing, and a group of curious minds tackling some of the ethical challenges in healthcare. This isn’t just another academic setting, it’s the EthicsLab, our intellectual playground, where questions are bold, assumptions are debated, and learning never stops.

Grad school is a whirlwind. One day, you're deep in philosophical debates about AI ethics, and the next, you're questioning if you even know how to write a coherent sentence. (Spoiler: you do.) But through all the highs, lows, and caffeine-fuelled nights, one thing is clear: the EthicsLab has been more than just a research place; it’s been a space for growth and discovery.

Here’s a little glimpse into our journey so far: messy, challenging, and rewarding.

A Space for Growth and Learning

From day one, we knew we weren’t just stepping into an academic programme - we were stepping into a space filled with diverse ideas where philosophers, bioethicists, African studies researchers, and geneticists all debate the ethical challenges in healthcare. Sounds intense, right? It is, but in the best way possible.

The EthicsLab doesn’t just throw knowledge at you and hope it sticks. It challenges you to think bigger, to ask better questions, and to understand that no single discipline holds all the answers. Our perspectives have stretched in ways we never expected.

But it’s not all deep discussions and research papers. The Lab has pushed us to grow in ways beyond academia, helping us refine our writing, sharpen our critical thinking, and even venture into professional development programmes.

The Art of Being Uncomfortable (And Surviving It)

Let’s be honest: growth is rarely comfortable. And stepping into postgraduate research? Definitely not a walk in the park.

Some of us struggled to find a research topic, while others had to make a leap from science-heavy backgrounds to the world of ethics. And of course, imposter syndrome showed up, whispering, “Are you sure you belong here?”

The EthicsLab is different in that even when we felt lost, we were never made to feel like we were failing. No one told us we weren’t doing enough. Instead, our peers and supervisors reminded us that the challenges are part of the process. A simple, “I know you’re working hard, don’t worry, you’re not behind,” made all the difference.

That support turned uncertainty into motivation. It reminded us that progress isn’t always about massive breakthroughs, it’s in the small steps, the incremental wins, and the willingness to keep going, even when things don’t make perfect sense yet.

Finding Our People

Academia can be isolating. But the EthicsLab? It’s given us a community.

Here, deep intellectual discussions exist alongside good humour, academic frustrations are met with encouragement, and the people we once saw as just peers have become friends.

For those of us who started this journey feeling out of place, whether adjusting to a new academic environment or juggling another Master’s degree, this sense of belonging has been everything. The Lab has shown us that academia doesn’t have to be a solitary battle. It can be collaborative, uplifting, and even (dare we say it?) fun.

Looking Ahead: The Road is Long, But We’re Ready

We won’t pretend this journey has been easy, but the challenges and lessons have been worthwhile. Our research may not change the world overnight, but it’s adding to conversations that matter. It’s building bridges, laying foundations, and sparking ideas that could lead to real ethical solutions in healthcare. 

So, here’s to the road ahead, filled with more questions, more discoveries, and, yes, probably a few more moments of staring blankly at our screens. But with the support of our mentors, the camaraderie of our peers, and a shared passion for what we do, we are more than ready for whatever comes next.

This is just the beginning.