Description
Part of the Lifelong Fellowship portfolio, The Scholars’ Library is a monthly book talk series, where Rhodes alumni can come together to present, discover and debate their literary works. If you’re interested in getting involved, please reach out to Georgie Thurston at georgie.thurston@rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk
For our July event, we are pleased to invite you to take part in a conversation with Gladys Ngetich (Kenya & Oriel 2015), author of 'The PhD Journey' moderated by Ruth Nyakerario Nyabuto (Kenya & Linacre 2018).
In dialogue with Ruth, amongst other topics Gladys will discuss her PhD and writing journey, as well as some tips and tricks for prospective PhD students.
If you wish to purchase the book before the session, please do so here.
Choosing to pursue a PhD is not an easy decision. It can include enormous financial and time investments, relocation, and loss of personal time. It is stressful and onerous work, yet it can bring prestige, better career opportunities, increased income, priceless knowledge, and memorable experiences.
Even if you know you want to pursue a PhD, how do you choose which program to apply for? How do you fund your studies? And what questions do you not even know to ask? In The PhD Journey: Strategies for Enrolling, Thriving, and Excelling in a PhD Program, Dr. Gladys Chepkirui Ngetich shares her recent experiences succeeding in a PhD program at the University of Oxford. Her personal stories, practical advice, and down-to-earth perspective will enlighten your journey. Plus, she shares interviews with fifteen other students from universities around the world. Topics range from choosing a PhD program, finding an advisor, and deciding on a thesis or dissertation topic to coping with homesickness, finding a support group, making the best use of your time, and applying new technology.
Reading The PhD Journey is like having a personal mentor for advice in any situation that arises. It will give you the confidence required to excel in your journey.
Gladys Chepkirui Ngetich (Kenya & Oriel 2015) is a Rhodes Scholar and a Schmidt Science Fellow. She is currently working as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Space Enabled Research Group at MIT. She earned her DPhil in Engineering Science at the University of Oxford. Before joining Oxford, Gladys pursued her bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology in Kenya. Gladys has been a recipient of many notable awards and recognitions, including the International Astronautical Federation Emerging Space Leader Award, International Gas Turbine Institute Young Engineer Award, UK Rare Rising Star, Skoll World Forum Fellowship, and Kenya’s Top 40 Under 40 Women. Gladys’ research and her inspirational academic journey have been featured in Nature and twice on BBC Science News.
Ruth Nyakerario Nyabuto (Kenya & Linacre 2018) completed her studies in 2020 and is currently based in Nairobi, Kenya at the British Institute in Eastern Africa (BIEA). Ruth serves as the academic coordinator of the recently established Refugee Led Research Hub, located at the BIEA. While at Oxford, she read for the MSc Refugee and Forced Migration Studies and MSc African Studies. She has keen interest in literature, creative writing and Africa International Relations.
Register:
Please register via this EventBrite page. Your link to join the conversation can be found in your confirmation email, so please keep this safe.
This event will be recorded for the benefit of those who are unable to attend
Q & A:
Please feel free to submit any questions in advance to alumni@rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk or you can use the chat function within Zoom to ask questions directly during the live event.