Ever felt just a teensy bit jealous of those crafty students who manage to do those courses on Madonna, Star Wars and Buffy? Well, be warned, this interview isn't going to help...

Rev Neil Elliot is currently the only person in the academic world to be doing a PHD in snowboarding. We caught up with him at the Birmingham Ski Show to find out more...

So how come you're doing a PhD in snowboarding?
It could be that I wanted to do a serious sociological study. It could be that I see snowboarding as potentially a spiritual activity. It could be that I wanted an excuse to interview riders and do some extra trips myself. Actually, it's all of them.

What does the research involve?
What I am mainly doing is interviews with snowboarders who are into freeriding. We talk about how they got into boarding, what the best and worst times have been for them, and what they get out of it. The riders all really enjoy it, after all they're talking about themselves and their hobby/lifestyle. Some people have found themselves thinking about their riding in a new way as a result of the interview, though that's not really what I'm trying to do.

So how have people responded?
Well there's been two kinds of response. Some people don't get it at all, and wonder how you can do a PhD in Snowboarding. Some people get it straight away and think it's really cool.

The school of sociology at UCE (in Birmingham) were really helpful. They seem to understand what it's about. It also helps that I have an external supervisor from Birmingham University, who's studying the spirituality of nightclubbing. The difficult bit was persuading the Church of England to let me do it, cos they're effectively giving me a day release to study snowboarding. But they've even sponsored the research, and are paying most of my academic fees.

What about yourself, are you a 'soulrider'?
I guess so. What I like is steep and deep and away from the pistes. My best days have been in the backcountry around Les Arcs, and we're heading for BC next year - to Fernie and Kicking Horse. For me there is something spiritual about being in the mountains, riding powder, away from the crowds, and facing my fears.

What help do you need?
Well I'd be glad to hear from anyone who see themselves as a freerider, whether or not they are 'soulriders'. I'll be aiming to do a 3/4 hr interview with them, either by phone or preferably face to face.

They can contact me on my mobile 07974 150364 or by email.

Good luck Neil! We can't think of a better Phd subject...