PhD Scholar Profiles
Joyce Nyuma Chivunga
Joyce 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.
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 3 minutes. It was something I never thought I could achieve! The constructive criticisms, questions, and suggestions gave me the viva-like vibes.
Olalekan Aduloju
Olalekan is a 2020 Commonwealth PhD Scholar from Nigeria studying at the University of Chester.
His research focuses on brownfield sites in Nigeria and explores how urban planners address the contested issue of brownfield development.
Before taking up his scholarship, Olalekan worked as a lecturer in [subject] at the University of Ilorin and previously [past employment summary].
How would you describe your Commonwealth Scholarship experience in three words?
Empowering, exciting, inspiring.
Before starting your scholarship, what did you hope to achieve?
Firstly, I hoped to pursue my doctoral studies, exposing me to new concepts and methodologies. Secondly, I was keen on attending conferences, academic seminars, and workshops to support and strengthen my doctoral pursuits. Thirdly, I envisaged attracting teaching opportunities and joining an interdisciplinary research lab alongside my doctoral pursuit that would strengthen my teaching credentials and deepen my research depth. Lastly, I hoped to improve and increase my research output in peer-reviewed, high-impact journals.
How do you see your research making a difference in the world?
My research employs new conceptual frameworks (urban political ecology and slow violence) to highlight the negative socio-ecological impacts of brownfields (previously developed lands) which are are often slow, concealed, brutal, and out of sight. Not only does it propose to rethink politically or imaginatively what previous accounts gloss over, it also draws attention to the many deprived geographies living on these sites, specifically in Nigeria.
The research also advocates for ‘slow observation’ and the use of virtual methodologies to understand how brownfields socio-ecologically reconstruct urban landscapes.
What are your hopes for the future?
We predict the future by creating it. The things that give me hope are determined by the chances I get to effect change through my chosen assignment.
Getting research citation alerts beyond the shores of my studies drives me to do more. An invitation to collaborate and review for high-impact journals gives me hope. Random messages from my past and present students encourages me. My hope is inspired by those little things that deliver impact. Everyday relevance is a sign of a bright future.
What is your message to the next generation of Commonwealth Scholars?
You were selected not because of what you have done but because of what you could do. The real success is not determined by the past or present, but the future.
Every day as a Commonwealth Scholar is an opportunity to be indebted to effect change. As a new generation of Commonwealth Scholars, make yourself available to a range of developmental training, workshops, and seminars that the CSC offers. They are opportunities to always be one step ahead.
How does it feel to be part of a global community of over 31,000 Commonwealth Scholars?
It is a gratifying, rare privilege. 31,000 alumni exploring deep-seated issues intersecting with the CSC’s major themes across global borders fire my imagination and reminds me of the enduring legacies built by the CSC. It also puts me in a position of responsibility to believe more in myself and trust those who believe in me.
A S M Rubayet Ul Alam
Rubayet is a 2020 Commonwealth PhD Scholar from Bangladesh studying at the University of Glasgow.
His research focuses on the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) variants with the aim of predicting and preventing future infectious diseases.
Rubayet was previously a lecturer and is now an assistant professor (on leave) at Jashore University of Science and Technology in Bangladesh.
How would you describe your Commonwealth Scholarship experience in three words?
Impactful, supportive, and fostering.
Before starting your scholarship, what did you hope to achieve?
As always, I hoped to work on the top-class research on virus evolution and long-lasting network with fellow researchers in the same field. I also wanted to learn communication and leadership skills that is important to deal with next professional career.
How do you see your research making a difference in the world?
My research is showing a way forward in the prediction of virus variant success and how to prevent future outbreaks. This is crucial for pandemic preparedness and will help in controlling the next pandemic.
After my PhD, I plan to work as a postdoctoral researcher to deepen my understanding of the molecular evolution of viruses. This will help me to continue the learning path towards solving the evolutionary mechanisms of viruses and their link to new epidemics and pandemics.
What are your hopes for the future?
Using AI to prepare for the pandemic still needs to go a long way. However, the progress is fast and I’m hoping to contribute to this demanding field in my future work. The implications of AI’s developing potential are intertwining with other areas of biological science, such as cancer biology, antimicrobial resistance.
What is your message to the next generation of Commonwealth Scholars?
When you’re short on time, it’s important to be efficient and use the time you have effectively to ensure you get the best research outcomes. It’s also really important to widen your network as a Scholar – you never know when the connections you make will be able to support you in your work.
The CSC gives lots of opportunities to attend training, workshops, and other activities where you can improve your communication skills. I would particularly highly recommend the Mentoring Programme which connects you with an Commonwealth Alumnus working in a relevant or related fields.
How does it feel to be part of a global community of over 31,000 Commonwealth Scholars?
I always feel warmly welcomed in this huge community of Commonwealth Scholars, and it has been an honour to present my work at the 65th anniversary celebrations. Meeting Scholars from different fields will help future collaborations and the interdisciplinary nature of the community empowers new thinking and opportunity.
