Joyce Chivunga is a 2020 Commonwealth PhD Scholar from Malawi studying at Loughborough University. Her research focuses on multidisciplinary approaches to improving the resilience of Malawi’s electricity grid following climate change-related weather events.
Joyce presented her research at the CSC’s 65th Anniversary Impact Showcase Reception in November 2024.
Before taking up her scholarship, Joyce worked as a lecturer in energy sciences at the Malawi University of Science and Technology and previously undertook technical roles at Illovo Sugar Group, Africa’s largest sugar producer.
How would you describe your Commonwealth Scholarship experience in three words?
Gracious! Contextual! Life-changing!
Before starting your scholarship, what did you hope to achieve?
I had always wanted to study for a PhD, but funding was the biggest constraint. At the same time, I was torn between my academic dreams and motherhood. I always told friends that I wanted to study in the UK under Commonwealth Scholarship because I wanted to take my kids with me.
How do you see your research making a difference in the world?
My research provides a roadmap for those charged with stewardship of the electricity grid, helping them to assess, design, and strengthen their resilience approaches in the face of ever-growing and progressively more erratic environmental conditions.
If the recommendations are taken on board and implemented, my research will translate into increased energy access and security and improved electrical infrastructure resilience. In addition, it will support the authorities in providing an enhanced response to severe disruptions and reduce the impacts of climate change.
Throughout my PhD, I have shared the findings from my research in different forums including six journal publications (two currently under review), two conference proceedings, and one policy brief. I was also grateful for the opportunity to share my research at the CSC’s weekend workshop at Cumberland Lodge which helped me to integrate my work into the SDGs
The most interesting research engagement experience was presenting my work to the UK Minister for Development, The Rt Hon Anneliese Dodds MP.
What are your hopes for the future?
I want to look back and tell myself ‘I am proud of me and of the decision I made to embark on this PhD journey’. I want my name to be associated with the resilience transformation in the energy sector. I see myself in a resilience working group, which will be a brainchild of this PhD journey.
What gives me hope for the future is the fact that the stakeholders who have been part of my PhD journey are all supportive and willing to push the resilience agenda further. From personal experience, letting the world know your dream is the first step. There is hope that someone will believe in that dream and help you realise it.
What is your message to the next generation of Commonwealth Scholars?
Make deliberate efforts to belong, to be heard, to be known, and to share what you know. Take up the challenges. Give back to the CSC community by being involved in CSC related events. Travel the country. Learn about British culture. This PhD journey is part of a cultural exchange. Above all, don’t lose yourself while chasing those academic dreams.
Can you describe the experience of presenting your research at the CSC’s 65th Anniversary Impact Reception?
Confidence! Pleasure! Learning-experience! My confidence levels rose from the positive feedback. I was pleased to be able to explain my work to a diverse audience and summarise my three and a half years of research work into three minutes. It was something I never thought I could achieve! The constructive criticisms, questions, and suggestions gave me the viva-like vibes.
