Mutlu Cukurova
PhD Education
Did you have any initial concerns about going into your PhD before you attended, did they go once you started?
I had concerns related to being isolated. Considering the fact that I am from another country and not a native speaker, I thought I might struggle to establish friendships. I was also concerned that I would not have enough opportunities to meet with people since I am a research student and I don’t have lectures. However, as soon as I start my research study, I was welcomed kindly by everyone in the department and I definitely felt as part of the academic community in the university. The department provides many opportunities to socialize including Education Research Group(ERG) presentations or Wednesday coffee mornings.
What field of work/ area of study were you in before returning to education?
I trained as a chemist and I finished my MSc in Analytical Chemistry before I take up my PhD study in Chemistry Education.
What aspects of studying at York were you most looking forward to before you started? Did they meet your expectations?
I was really looking forward to meet with my supervisor and my thesis advisory group members. They are all very well known, successful researchers in my domain. To be fair, I was a bit intimidated before I met with them but they also are very understanding and humble. I was looking forward to our discussions and my expectations are definitely met. I feel very lucky that I had this amazing chance of meeting with them and observing their way of thinking, their way of approaching to problems. Beautiful city of York and world-class university of York attract the best academics in all domains from the world. I was looking forward to meeting with them. I hope to keep this amazing intellectual network for the rest of my life.
How has the support been from staff in the department throughout your time at York?
I am obliged to my supervisor for her gracious support, advice and encouragement throughout the years it has taken me to complete my research study. In addition to her, all the members of my thesis advisory panel members provided me analytical advice, help and encouragement. Also, in general all my colleagues in the Department of Education presented very welcoming behaviour, and gave me friendly and respectful advices during my stay in York.
What are your plans after your programme?
I have recently submitted my thesis and currently working as a research assistant at the institute for effective education. I want to publish as many manuscripts as possible to make aware as many people as possible about what I find important to improve tertiary level education. I believe, my research study gave me enough knowledge and skills to be an effective researcher and I want to use this knowledge and skills as a starting point of my career. I wish to be an eminent research in my domain like all my colleagues whom I met in the department during my study.