Postgraduate Study 2018: UK/EU students

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Newcastle University
Postgraduate Study 2018
Christie, PhD in
the Institute of
Neuroscience
(UK)
Thesis: Understanding Critical
Factors and Pathogenic Defects
Underlying Mitochondrial Gene
Expression
I am a part of the Wellcome
Trust Centre for Mitochondrial
Research as well as the Institute
of Neuroscience. Both of
these groups have numerous
networking events that usually
happen every other week
including Pie Night, Pub Quiz
and ‘Fridge Friday’, as well as
going out for drinks, days out
and general socialising. Other
institutes have their own
postgraduate communities
and we sometimes organise
inter-institute events such as
quizzes and sports tournaments.
The University also enables you
to gain additional skills outside
of the laboratory. There is the
opportunity to do undergraduate
practical demonstrating,
supervise undergraduate and
Masters’ student dissertation
projects, enter science writing
competitions, attend workshops
or get involved in postgraduate
committees.
Alix, PhDMedia,
Culture and Heritage
(Puerto Rico)
Thesis: Performing Arts,
Museums and Intangible
Heritage
The programme has provided
me with the opportunity to
attend modules and workshops
to review, develop and enhance
both the theoretical framework
for my proposed research and
the epistemological research
methods I could use to carry
it out.
The postgraduate community
at Newcastle is very active and
serves as an opportunity to
network. I have been able to get
in contact with postgraduates
from different disciplines
who also share my academic
interests. I have also been able
to participate in activities in
different schools, faculties and
programmes, which has served
as part of my professional
and academic development.
Very diverse but engaging, the
postgraduate community makes
you feel part of a well-rounded
group of scholars.
Musa, PhD Chemical
Engineering and
AdvancedMaterials
(Nigeria)
Thesis: Production of Biofuel
from Alga Using the Foam
Fractionation Column
When I arrived here I was
welcomed by a great number
of PhD students from Nigeria,
but the high point was the
reception I received from
non-Nigerians, all willing to
be of one form of assistance
or another. Even though my
research is on biofuel, I have
had wonderful interactions with
people working on process
intensification, catalysis, and
fuel cells, just to mention a few.
I have been getting assistance
from students, academics,
administrative and technical
staff alike. I believe I have
everything I need to succeed
in my PhD in this community.
Within the larger community, a
series of workshops organised
by the faculty, including ‘Things
to expect as a PhD student’, has
been of enormous help.