This presentation discusses my PhD study experiences that commenced in the UK and eventually concluded in Germany. I try to trace the challenges and support through this journey from an early career African academic perspective.
Paper long abstract:
Over the last few years, the presence of PhD candidates of African descent in German universities has become a visible reality. Nevertheless, the recruitment of PhD candidates of African descent and subsequent employment, where possible, create several personal and institutional challenges, even when academic diversity is promoted. On one hand there is a positive effort to promote and encourage academic diversity on the other hand academics of African descent are expected to fit a certain mould. This presentation compares some of the positive as well as negative lessons that I have learned while pursuing a PhD degree in German and UK institutions. I started my PhD in the UK and a year later, I transferred to Germany. The transfer from UK to a German university was a positive one. However, the process also brought with it some personal challenges in particular in the German context where academic hierarchies are well defined. Though stemming from a personal, and contextually based, the lessons derived from my experience may resonate with others elsewhere and thus offer a good basis to help address some of the obstacles.