Newcastle-based researcher Dr Miriam Boyles is conducting research into experiences of everyday life during the coronavirus pandemic for a podcast. 

Dr Miriam Boyles is exploring different experiences recounted through diary studies and interviews from dozens of participants across the UK and further afield.  

Dr Boyles, an Anthropologist and User Experience Researcher, completed a degree in Social Anthropology and PhD at the University of Cambridge before becoming a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Newcastle University. She is now a Senior Research Consultant at well-respected tech company Opencast Software. 

“I wanted to capture the day-to-day experiences of people around the world and explore the effect the coronavirus is having on their lives. For the diary study, I asked people to tell me about their day, their highs and lows, who they communicated with, what they missed and what new things they were appreciating, for three consecutive days. I've found both common and contrasting experience that will make for a really interesting podcast.” said Dr Boyles. 

“I’ve finished the diary study and interviews and am now editing and putting together the recordings for the podcast. It will be less about countries and more about people and what makes life meaningful to them.” she added. 

Those who have taken part includes: a doctor working with coronavirus patients; a Northumbria Police Officer; a 90-year old woman from Devon; an English teacher in China; a primary teacher in Milan; a software designer in Romania; a museum exhibit evaluator from Dallas; a historian in Berlin and a writer from Melbourne.