My name is Queenie, and I am a 2nd year PhD student in the International Development Department here at the University of Birmingham.
When I first started my academic journey here at UoB, it felt quite isolating. I didn’t really have a space where I could connect with people who shared my experiences. I was navigating new challenges, and without a community that truly understood my experiences, it sometimes felt like I was walking it alone.
But all of that changed when I connected with the University Doctoral School. From the very start, they became not only a source of academic guidance, but also a hub for community, skills development, and encouragement.
With their support, my colleague and I co-founded the Black PGR Network. Throughout the process, the Doctoral School provided advice, signposted resources, and helped us think about structure, growth, and potential collaborations. Because of this guidance, the Network has grown into a vibrant, supportive space where Black PGRs can connect, share skills, and support each other through the PhD journey and beyond.
This experience has shown me how transformative the right support can be in ensuring a smooth, successful, and fulfilling PhD journey, and that is exactly what the University Doctoral School offers.