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Why did you choose to study your PhD?

Even from the early stages of my BA I had a desire to eventually go on to study a PhD, as I wanted to extend my academic life as far as possible. I was – and am – passionate about American literature, so it was always my plan to undertake a PhD in this subject.

Previously, I studied BA English and American Literature at Goldsmiths, University of London, and my masters in American Literature at University College Dublin. I worked for four years between my MA and PhD, so was very ready and excited to return to academia when I did.

In terms of selecting a university, it was a choice between ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½ and one other; and I received a funding offer from ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½ – though the AHRC Techne programme. It has turned out to be a very good choice!

Why are you passionate about English Literature?

I was a real bookworm as a kid, and still am. The thing I love most about literature is how it allows you to imagine worlds in your head based on words on a page. It is a very simple yet very expansive art form. With American literature in particular, I am always fascinated by the way that US fiction corresponds to and reflects the changing social and historical landscape of a supernation. In terms of my specific PhD subject – I was really interested in the tension between California’s popular reputation and its environmental realities in our age of climate change (fires and drought in particular).

I undertook a three-month placement at California State University, Los Angeles in 2022, thanks to a PhD Mobility Fund from Santander via the ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½. This was an immensely enriching experience – academically and personally – and one of the benefits was access to the resources at the Cal State library.

Supervisors at ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½

My supervisor has struck the perfect balance between encouragement and constructive criticism. He has been very patient as I have developed the central argument of my thesis, and I have never felt pressurised by him at all. I am also very grateful for his expert insight on all things fiction.

My overall experience here has been excellent. ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½ has offered a relaxed and supportive environment at which to carry out my research. I would recommend it to any prospective literature PhD students. Literally everyone I have met has been very warm and welcoming, which goes a long way.

What have you enjoyed most about your PhD?

The most exciting thing about a PhD is how much your argument or focus changes throughout. You have to be patient and embrace change, because it can lead you to some very interesting areas. A real highlight for me was having an article published in a well-known journal in my field. This came out of a chapter I wasn’t expecting to write at the start of the thesis, on a novel I read during the PhD.

The nature of a literature PhD means it will always be very independent, but I have met many other literature researchers at ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½ with whom I have had fulfilling and helpful discussions about matters related and unrelated to my PhD. I am also funded by the Techne AHRC training programme, so I have met some very interesting researchers through that. Through both ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½ and Techne I have made new friends and enjoyed a rewarding collegiality.

Looking forward

I will definitely apply for positions in academia, but I am open to other careers too. Writing is my biggest strength, I think, and I was a journalist in a former life, so anything that allows me to write would be welcome.

If you’re very passionate about a subject, definitely consider doing a PhD. Obviously there are a lot of considerations around funding, but there are programmes you can apply for, both internally at ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½ and externally, such as AHRC Techne. And if you do start a PhD, patience is a virtue: don’t get too restless or frustrated if your thesis is not progressing in a straightforward way. Those detours and distractions all prove useful in the end.