Centre for Eighteenth Century Studies
PhD Student...Sarah Burdett
"I first came to CECS in September 2011 to complete an MA in Romantic and Sentimental literature, and was honoured to be offered the opportunity to stay on at CECS to study for my PhD, which I have now been working on for two years. From attending my first CECS hosted postgraduate forum, I knew instantly that I was in the right place. I was struck immediately by the sense of warmth and community within the centre, among both students and tutors, and was inspired by the contagious enthusiasm and excitement with which fellow CECS members spoke of their research topics, and responded to my own. The postgraduate forums offer a friendly, intellectual and interdisciplinary environment within which students can share ideas, and the rapport among the forum’s members ensures that the PhD process never feels like an isolating experience.
I have had the privilege of working under the guidance of tutors of great academic acclaim, who have gone above and beyond to support me in my studies, and have offered invaluable encouragement. I have benefitted also from attending the department’s research seminars and day conferences, which have not only exposed me to innovative and inspiring papers, but have also enabled me to introduce myself to a number of scholars working within my field, with whom I remain in contact now. My PhD experience thus far has surpassed all of my expectations, and I owe a lot of that to CECS. "
Sarah's PhD thesis title is 'Female Militancy in British Dramas: 1789-1805'.