Student experiences
Sarah Gallimore
PhD researcher
I never even considered studying my PhD anywhere else as I always had my heart set on Cardiff! Not only is it a fantastic campus right at the heart of the city, but I am part of a proactive and energetic department which strongly promotes and supports not only research but also the holistic skills that as PhD student you need to gain for your chosen future. I have access to the wealth of knowledge both my supervisors provide but also in the wider department and across disciplines.
The diverse PhD community is really strong and we provide much needed support to each other when we all hit the wall! I am supported in developing my own work within the discipline and am able to work at my own pace which as a part time student really makes a difference when you are juggling lots of other commitments.
I have also been able to take advantage of the opportunities to teach at all levels and arrange conferences which enables me to feel part of helping to shape the department within a friendly and supportive environment. I am loving my time as a PhD student at Cardiff University, and have made some fantastic friends and wider contacts. I can’t imagine studying anywhere else!
Dr Wendy Martineau
Research Fellow, University of Bristol, Department of Politics
I carried out my PhD in political theory in the School from 2002 to 2006. This was a fantastic four years – while the experience of doing a PhD was not without its challenges, the Politics unit in the School provided a wonderfully supportive and inspiring environment in which to study. There was a vibrant research community within the department, and the close interaction between the postgraduate students and the Professors and lecturers made for a really friendly and intellectually stimulating atmosphere. We were made to feel very involved in the research within the department through seminars and conferences, but also through discussion during the many informal social occasions. There was a great postgraduate community in the department, and we would meet regularly, both formally and informally, to share our research. My experiences of academic life at Cardiff made me keen to pursue an academic career and gave me an excellent base upon which to build. I am now doing a two year part-time ESRC funded postdoctoral fellowship in the Department of Politics at the University of Bristol, mentored by Professor Judith Squires. My project is entitled ‘Promoting justice and dialogue within and between cultures: multiculturalism and British Muslims’ and extends the research on multiculturalism, gender and cross-cultural understanding carried out in my Ph.D.
Elise Rietveld
Current PhD student
Coming to Cardiff University has provided me with the opportunity to pursue my academic career. Lots of seminars and talks are organised throughout the University to create a stimulating intellectual environment and give you the chance to meet people from different disciplines and exchange ideas. Within the School, such events are a great way of meeting the staff and other students.
Doing a PhD in the School gives me all the freedom, time, and space to develop my own ideas and do exactly the research I want to do. As a small city, Cardiff has enough entertainment to keep you busy without distracting too much. Getting around is easy and quick, and as most students live in certain areas it is nice to have friends just around the corner.
Receiving the President's Scholarship has allowed me to continue my studies. Doing this PhD means I can develop my ideas and hopefully pursue an academic career. Without the Scholarship, I could never have done that, so I'm very pleased with this opportunity.
Dr Camilla Boisen
Post-Doctoral Fellow at the University of Johannesburg
After doing my Master’s in Political Theory at Cardiff University, it only seemed natural that I should continue with my PhD studies there as well. Cardiff University offered me the best possible settings for doing my research. Not only does it have an excellent and vibrant research and teaching community, it also has a stunning campus in the centre of the city.
I was part of a proactive and exciting department, where I had access to a wealth of knowledge that was tailored to suit my research needs. I also received instruction on how to develop my generic research skills. I really thrived here, and I got the best possible support and encouragement from my supervisors, which I am convinced I would be hard pressed to find elsewhere. Also, and equally important, I was part of a friendly postgraduate community that provided much needed support whenever our PhD work threatened to overwhelm us.
Cardiff University also provided me with the opportunity to teach at all levels, giving me the essential experience needed for a future university career. In addition, I was given the opportunity to organise conferences and various research forums, as well as presenting my own research. This was invaluable to me in terms of shaping my own thoughts, and establishing strong network of contacts. I could not have imagined doing a PhD anywhere else than Cardiff. I came away with a doctorate to my name and, more importantly, plenty of fantastic friends.
