A conversation with Gwen
We spoke with Gwen Bach, a graduate of our online Applied Neuroscience MSc programme, about her journey. From business and therapy to organisational work, Gwen’s path has been defined by a search for knowledge that is both rigorous and useful. Here, she shares her experience of finding a deeper scientific grounding at King’s College London.
Tell me about your background.
I grew up between cultures, which shaped my curiosity early on. Being exposed to different educational systems taught me to question assumptions rather than accept them at face value.
Learning was never just about grades for me, but about understanding how people think, decide, and behave.
My professional path has not been linear. I trained in business and HR, then psychology, worked clinically as a therapist, and later moved via King’s into applied neuroscience, organisational work, and education. Each step was motivated by a wish to connect theory with real-world application, focusing on knowledge that is useful in practice rather than purely theoretical.
How did you feel before starting your programme, and how do you feel now?
Before starting the programme, I felt intellectually restless and aware of gaps in my understanding. I was looking for a more coherent scientific foundation.
Now, I feel more grounded. The programme sharpened my thinking and gave me a clearer, more biological framework for questions I had previously approached mainly from a psychological perspective. At the same time, it made clear how much there is still to learn. Rather than feeling discouraged, that realisation has been motivating.
What challenges did you overcome during the programme?
The main challenge was balancing academic work with professional responsibilities. I completed part of the programme during the COVID pandemic and returning to sustained study as an adult student while working full time required significant adjustment. The programme demanded focus, self-discipline, and comfort with uncertainty.
Support from student success advisors was consistently helpful and made a meaningful difference in navigating these demands.
What has the process of earning a credential taught you about yourself?
The process helped me understand how I actually learn. I am more drawn to biological mechanisms, in particular, where behaviour, stress, and cognition meet neurophysiology.
I also realised that I tend to follow questions deeply and across fields, often ending up far from where I started.
More broadly, the programme showed me that I can handle sustained intellectual challenges better than I expected. Working through difficulty made me more precise in my thinking and writing and reminded me that real learning usually happens when things are not easy..
Why did you choose this programme over others?
How do you stay motivated while achieving your goals?
I stay motivated by maintaining structure. The seven-week modules at King’s worked well for me because they provided a clear, organised timeline, making it easier to stay motivated compared to programmes with long, unstructured schedules. For example, I noticed this difference when comparing it to an MBA my husband completed, which involved an extended period of self-study followed by a single exam.
I prefer to stay organised by breaking my goals into smaller sub-goals, projects, and tasks, allowing me to track progress and use it as a tool for sustained motivation.
How has the university shown you support?
How will you use your credential, and what impact do you want to have on the world?
I use my credential to inform evidence-based work at the intersection of neuroscience, psychology, and organisational practice. This includes my work through Applied Brain Lab and the development of BrainTools, where I focus on translating research into practical frameworks and tools.
The credential enables me to design and evaluate interventions with greater scientific rigour, particularly in contexts involving stress, decision-making, and performance.
More broadly, I hope to contribute to a more responsible and informed use of psychological and neuroscientific knowledge, reducing stigma around mental health and promoting approaches grounded in biology, evidence, and care.
Have you been able to apply what you’ve learned in your programme in your career or life?
Yes. I noticed the impact quite early in how I evaluated research, interventions, and claims in my professional work. I became more precise in distinguishing between plausible explanations and well-supported evidence.
In practice, this translated into clearer decision-making under pressure and a more disciplined approach to designing and assessing applied work, particularly in contexts involving stress and performance.
Is earning a credential worth it?
What advice do you have for future students?
Choose a programme for its academic quality rather than convenience or speed. Be prepared to work consistently and to sit with uncertainty. The value of the experience lies less in the credential itself and more in how much it challenges and changes the way you think.
Finally, make use of the student WhatsApp groups to make friends, join study groups, and build a support network.
Discover King’s online Applied Neuroscience programme
Gwen's story illustrates that a postgraduate education can be a powerful tool for sharpening your thinking and grounding your practice in solid evidence. Her journey highlights how a rigorous, supportive learning environment can provide the framework needed to bridge the gap between different disciplines and translate complex knowledge into meaningful, real-world impact.
If Gwen's experience has inspired you to deepen your own understanding, you can explore our online Applied Neuroscience MSc programme and learn more.