Stories of Success - Shaun Liverpool PhD (FoHSCM Lecturer)
Thursday 22-10-2026 - 13:32
From becoming the first in his family to achieve a PhD to supporting the next generation of researchers, Shaun Liverpool is using his journey to help others realise their potential.
Every career journey has its defining moments. For Shaun Liverpool, Reader in Child and Adolescent Mental Health at Edge Hill University, achieving his PhD was one of the most significant. It was not only a personal milestone, but a moment of pride for his family and the beginning of new opportunities to support, mentor and inspire others.
Today, Shaun’s work focuses on digital mental health interventions for children and young people. Alongside his research, he is passionate about helping students navigate their own academic journeys, drawing on his experiences to encourage others to pursue opportunities they may not have thought possible.
The Beginning: A Journey Built on Determination
Shaun’s journey into academia has been shaped by hard work, perseverance and a commitment to personal development. One of the achievements he is most proud of is completing his PhD, a qualification that represented years of effort and a significant milestone for both him and his family. As the first person in his family to achieve a PhD, Shaun’s success carried a special meaning.
“I’m most proud of having my PhD, actually, because I worked really hard for it. And I’m also the first in my family to have a PhD.”
His achievement was a shared celebration, with his family rallying behind him throughout the process and celebrating when he reached his goal. For Shaun, being the first brought both a sense of responsibility and a powerful motivation to keep going. He reflected on the pressure of knowing that others were rooting for him, alongside the reward of making his family proud.
Navigating Challenges: Finding His Place in Academia
Success does not always come without challenges. For Shaun, one of the difficulties he has experienced throughout his career has been being the first or the only person who looks like him in certain professional and academic settings. These experiences have shaped his understanding of belonging and the importance of creating supportive environments where people can develop and thrive.
One particular challenge was finding a mentor who shared his background and experiences. Shaun recognised how valuable it can be to have someone in your chosen career who understands your perspective and can offer guidance, encouragement and support. Initially, finding that representation was difficult. However, rather than allowing it to hold him back, Shaun broadened his search and found mentors whose backgrounds differed from his own, but who provided meaningful support and guidance.
Looking back, he sees this as an experience that widened his perspective rather than deterred him from his goals. His journey highlights the importance of representation and mentorship, while also demonstrating the value of remaining open to learning from people with different experiences.
Turning Experience into Opportunity
For Shaun, earning his PhD was not simply the end of one chapter. It opened the door to new opportunities to contribute to academia and support other students. Through his research, teaching and mentoring, he now helps others develop their skills, explore their interests and work towards their own ambitions. He is particularly conscious that students who share similar backgrounds may encounter some of the same feelings and challenges he experienced.
“I use all my challenges and experiences to help share the student experience going forward.”
Shaun uses these insights to offer guidance and encouragement, helping students feel supported as they navigate their own paths. While he is committed to supporting all students equally, he also recognises the importance of providing additional mentorship to those who seek it. Having experienced the journey himself, he can share lessons from his own career and help students consider possibilities such as pursuing a master’s degree or a PhD.
In doing so, Shaun is helping ensure that his achievements have an impact beyond his own career.
Making a Difference Through Research and Mentorship
Today, Shaun works as a Reader in Child and Adolescent Mental Health, researching digital mental health interventions for children and young people. His role allows him to contribute to an area of work with wider social importance, while his teaching and mentoring give him opportunities to influence the next generation of students and researchers.
For Shaun, these responsibilities are closely connected. The opportunities his PhD created have enabled him to share his knowledge, support others and contribute to areas that matter to society. His story demonstrates that professional success is not only about individual achievements. It can also be measured by the opportunities we create for others and the support we provide to help them succeed.
Looking Ahead: Inspiring Others to Aim Higher
Shaun’s journey is a reminder that the path to success may involve moments of uncertainty, challenges around belonging and the need to seek support beyond familiar spaces. His experience also shows how personal achievements can become a source of encouragement for others. By sharing what he has learned and offering mentorship to students, he is helping others see that further study and academic careers can be within their reach.
From becoming the first in his family to achieve a PhD to supporting students as they work towards their own goals, Shaun continues to turn his experiences into opportunities for others. His story is one of determination, family pride and the importance of paying support forward — showing how one person’s success can help open doors for the next generation.
Shaun’s journey reminds us that success is not just about how far we go, but also about how we help others move forward.
Thank you to Shaun Liverpool (PhD) for sharing his experiences, insights and advice with us.
