Jamie Marshall's course at Edinburgh Napier University is unique, he's the only person in the world studying for a PhD in surf therapy.
He first started surfing aged 14 as a way of escaping a difficult time with bullying at secondary school.
He's now exploring the physical and mental benefits that surfing can bring.
Jamie worked as a surfing instructor in Newquay and regularly hits the beach at Bellhaven in East Lothian.
Eager to help others, he founded the Wave Project, which helps young people with mental health issues.
His studies have now taken him to California and West Africa as he looks at surf therapy courses around the world.
He said: "I fell in love with surfing the first time I tried it age 14 which was also a pretty difficult time for me at school due to bullying. Surfing provided a bit of an escape for me but I also identified as a surfer from that point on and that was something no one could take away from me.
"In some ways, this probably made my career path inevitable!
"Scotland now has a history of excellence regarding surf therapy and I’m delighted to have played a part in the success that the Wave Project has had here in this country, working with vulnerable young people across Edinburgh and the Lothians.
"A key part of my PhD is to support the evaluation of surf therapy based upon the experiences of participants."
He continued: "My last research site was in California working alongside the Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation supporting veterans facing challenges associated with PTSD.
"The results were super interesting in terms of the significant respite that this type of therapy could offer to the participants. Surfing can be a fantastic vehicle for enacting positive change – we just need to continue to build upon the theory and evidence to prove it."
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