GCDC Termly Update
In this Issue Research publications New staff, new students GSA Lecture
Photo by Louis Hansel @shotsoflouis on Unsplash
Autumn 2020
Autumn Update Message from Dr Beth Breeze, Director, GCDC
Above: Beth Breeze and Jo Stoner enjoying some winter sunshine on campus
“The tenacity and ability of all our students is inspiring to those of us who work in the Global Challenges Doctoral Centre. Knowing how determined they are to make the most of this funding opportunity, and to undertake research that will help make the world a better place, makes this one of the best jobs on campus….”
Read Beth’s full message here
GCDC Publications 3rd year GCDC PhD student Huawei Zhang has published an article in the Cambridge Review of International Affairs. “Fragile Interdependence: the case of Russia-EU relations� considers the reversibility of interdependent relationships between states, and uses Russia and the EU as a case study. You can find the article here. Congratulations Huawei!
1st year PhD student Shaleen Attre is already making an impact with her research. Findings from her MSc dissertation (also undertaken at Kent) on paint brushes made from mongoose hair were featured in UK newspaper The Telegraph, and India-based media outlets Daily Star and IndiaSpend.
What’s been happening at the GCDC? Farewell to Grace In September, the GCDC had to say goodbye to GCRF Officer, Grace Grussenmeyer, who left the University of Kent to return to the United States. Grace was an integral part of the GCDC community and we were sad to see her leave. However, Beth and Frank ensured she wouldn’t forget her Kent friends… Above: Grace in her GCDC t-shirt
…by giving her a stylish GCDC t-shirt as a leaving gift! We thank Grace for all her hard work over the last few years and wish her the very best for the future.
Hello What’sto our new been GCRF happening at the Officer GCDC?
We are pleased to welcome our new GCRF Officer, Dr Jo Stoner, who joined the team at the beginning of November. Jo first came to Kent in 2011 when she began her PhD in Classics & Archaeology; she went on to complete a 2 year post-doc in 2019. Most recently she worked in the Faculties Support Office, before joining us in the GCDC. Welcome Jo! “Other than my research activities, I have an unhealthy obsession with true crime podcasts, and enjoy finding unusual second-hand things. I love living in Canterbury and exploring its history. I feel very lucky to have joined the GCDC and I’m excited to be supporting such important research.” You can read Jo’s full profile here.
GCRF Officer Dr Jo Stoner
Starting at the GCDC in 2020 Our new cohort of PhD students and PDRAs began in September 2020, however the impact of Covid-19 across the globe meant that the beginning of term was unlike any other year. We spoke to two of our new first year students to find out how they are experiencing PhD student life. Theresa Bachmann, School of Politics and International Relations Theresa’s research looks at mining governance in post-conflict Colombia, and is supervised by Dr Edward Morgan-Jones and Prof. Neophytos Loizides. She started term here in Canterbury. “I physically started my PhD on campus in Canterbury. Luckily, I had already spent the first year of my joint master’s degree in Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Kent. Having friends in Canterbury and already knowing the university and the city helped me to settle into the PhD under Covid conditions. Although free time is limited, it is great to take breaks from time to time and explore the region – for example, Botany Bay!” You can read Theresa’s full account here. Above: a picture from Theresa’s visit to Botany Bay
Not all our students could begin term at Kent in person. Travelling to Canterbury was not possible for PhD student Shaleen Attre. She tells us what life as a PhD student is like when you are working remotely.
Above: Shaleen speaking at the Smithsonian's Earth Optimism Summit 2020, as part of the WildHub's all-female panel
Shaleen Attre, School of Anthropology and Conservation Shaleen’s research investigates humansnake conflict in India, and is supervised by Prof. Richard Griffiths and Dr Ian Bride at DICE, School of Anthropology and Conservation. Shaleen started the Autumn term in India.
“The decision to start remotely wasn’t easy but it was and still is the most practical. Being familiar with the University of Kent and DICE has definitely been a comforting advantage, with my supervisors being right there at the end of every email and call. The biggest advantage to working remotely for me has been the ability to coordinate with my field contacts, which may have been difficult if I was on London time. With the situation changing rapidly, I need to keep in touch to navigate and change my field work plans for next year.” Read Shaleen’s full article here.
Global Challenges Events & Training
GCDC Induction
Above: The GCDC student induction session, held in the Graduate and Researcher College training room.
In September we welcomed our new PhD students to campus for an in-person, socially-distanced, induction with Dr Beth Breeze. It was wonderful to meet everyone and begin to foster a sense of collegiality. We look forward to more in-person events in the coming academic year as restrictions ease.
GSA Lecture The GCDC was well-represented at the November Global Skills Award event, “Postgraduates tackling Global Challenges”. GCDC Deputy Director Dr Frank Grundig chaired the event, which took the form of 3 presentations by GCDC students Conner Webb, Laura Dyball, and Polina Bishenden. Above: Dr Frank Grundig who chaired the event
Conner’s paper discussed the use of algae in combatting disease in fish, and his work with partners in South East Asia.
Left: A slide from Conner’s presentation
Laura’s paper went on to discuss the methods she was using for finding new ways to develop vaccines, especially for Dengue Fever.
Polina was the final speaker and introduced her work on women’s activism in central Asia, touching on the perceived relationship between feminism and the West.
Right: Polina presenting her research
The event was a real success, with approximately 70 attendees who asked a range of fascinating questions. Congratulations go to our three speakers. The Global Skills Award is a series of lectures and skills workshops run by the Graduate and Researcher College. The aim is to improve understanding of global issues and current affairs, and is aimed at Kent Masters students. For enquiries, contact skills@kent.ac.uk GCDC TRAINING EVENTS 2020 • Fieldwork in Developing Countries • Interdisciplinary Publishing • Data Visualisation • Having a Back-Up Plan
2021 GCDC training events to be announced - check here for updates!
GCDC 2020 Postdoctoral Research Associates
Profile: Dr Francesca Cavallo
GCDC post-doc Dr Francesca Cavallo is currently undertaking GCRF-funded research in the School of Arts. She tell us about her project, and doing research in 2020. One-step-back mode “We have an ancient ritual in the South Italian region where I was born. During the Easter week procession in Taranto, men in hooded outfits carry the statues of the Passion of Christ, but they don’t walk at an average pace. They perform the Passo del Perdono - the walk of forgiveness: two steps forward one step back. Nothing better than this gesture, two steps ahead and one step back, encapsulates what it feels like working on a research project in the middle of a pandemic. Then again, it is not an exercise in forgiveness, but about acceptance, endurance, and attention.
My project, Acting before the Emergency, focuses on how art can educate people to prevent or cope with climaterelated disasters in Brazil. In the last year, the Coronavirus outbreak has side-stepped Climate Change as an urgent concern internationally. “ Left: The poster from Apiyemiyekî?, dir. Ana Vaz, 27min, 2020
“Corporations that until a few months ago were committed to environmental issues have begun putting their “greenwashing” commitments aside with the excuse of financial survival (see article). The situation in Brazil, however, was already quite worrying even before Covid 19.”
Above: An Instagram post by Brazilian artist Uyra Sodoma
“My research focuses on how climate-related disasters feature in the art produced or exhibited in Brazil over these crucial last two years. It is an attempt to map out how art operates across different modes of engagement as opposed to media and activist narratives, and how this can help us understand and think about climate change differently.
For example, Uýra Sodoma, the Amazonian drag queenbiologist who uses performance to educate young people to protect the Amazon, and filmmaker Ana Vaz, whose film Apiyemiyekî? (2019) is currently at the ICA in London. These artists demonstrate how climate change is intrinsically connected to the practices of justice, equity and sustainability in everyday life.”
To read Francesca’s full article, click here.
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Have questions about content in this update, or general queries about the GCDC? Get in touch with the Centre via kentgcdc@kent.ac.uk
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