Posted on by SAYAS

The journey to step 1: choosing a PhD topic

By Dorothy Ngila

 

In 2009, I was interested in transboundary water management.

 

In 2010, that changes to something — anything! — about gender.

 

In 2011, it was all about mentoring of young girls and women in science and technology.

 

By 2012 and 2013, it was all about women in leadership in science and technology.

 

Would you believe it if I tell you that my final topic, and what I am now pursuing as my PhD topic is, ‘The role of academies of science academies as health science advisers: the case of Nigeria, Uganda and South Africa.’

 

So, how did this all come about?

 

For as long as I can remember (okay, lets rephrase that, for as long as I have been a post-matric student!), I have yearned for the day I would be called Dr Ngila. Part of it is because, I would be the first of my paternal grandmother’s grandchildren to attain this, and part of it because I think I have some innate pressure to follow in the footsteps of my aunt (who has also doubled as my mother for the last 15 years), Prof Catherine Ngila.

 

So there I was, having finished and graduated from a Masters programme in Geography and Environmental Sciences from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and settled into my job at the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) in Pretoria. The next logical step was to start my journey to a PhD.

 

I knew that I was passionate, disciplined and dedicated enough to pursue a PhD, but since 2009, I had toyed with way too many ideas.

 

But with my quest for trying to save the world (not literally but it’s been a hectic run at work over the last couple of years), and trying to figure out how I would fit a PhD in 3 years, I eventually settled into trying to get this done in 2015.

 

So how did I eventually choose a topic?

 

There were many, many concept notes…I kid you not, I read more than 200 scientific papers and produced no fewer than 20 concept documents in the last few years in my quest to finding the appropriate topic. In the end, however, my choice boiled down to three things.

 

  1. What kind of study

‘Will you full time or part time?’

 

I spent a lot of time thinking about whether I would leave my job and go into full time study or whether I should rather consider part time study. There are pros and cons to either but for me, it came down to the reasons for wanting to engage in PhD studies. If I wanted to have a PhD so that I could get into academia after completion, it was a no-brainer that I needed to go into full time study. However, I wanted to pursue the PhD for other reasons. It would boost my career development, enhance my critical thinking within the workplace, further my academic achievement, represent significant personal fulfilment, and contribute to building Africa’s knowledge economy outside of academia. I chose the part time route.

 

  1. Smart topics

‘Am I choosing a smart topic?’

 

For the last few years, I have been privileged to work in an array of portfolios within ASSAf. The ones that have truly spoken to my passions have been our African collaborations, and gender in science, technology and innovation. When I first discussed my desire to engage in PhD study to one of my mentors, she gave me the best nugget of wisdom ever, ‘choose a topic that is linked to the work that you engage in at ASSAf, as this will be easier to manage.’ This helped me to shape the topic I am working on right now. Regardless of how pressured the work is, every day, I read, have conversations, engage with topics that enable me to add value to the PhD process. Therefore, though I’m working a bit harder, mostly, I’d like to think I’m working smarter.

 

  1. The supervisors

‘They are renowned for their craft and are invested in the subject matter’

 

Once I had drilled down into the topic I was interested in, it became easier to find renowned scholars who were interested in promoting the PhD. They then helped me to shape the boundaries of the final research topic, ensured that my topic was relevant to my goals, and led me to the correct literature. For a part time PhD student (probably ALL PhD students), perhaps the most important decision that one can make is the choice of a supervisor. I have found supervisors who are not only understanding, supportive and invested in my completion of the PhD but also who give me important nuggets of wisdom on work/ life/ PhD balance (and let’s face it, I need this advice so much more as a part time student).

 

Many people will have different journeys into deciding on the PhD topic. What is more important is that you end up with a topic you are passionate about (but perhaps not too passionate), a topic that will endure the duration of study, and a topic that will contribute meaningfully towards your future career goals. Because mere curiosity is not going to sustain you through this PhD journey…

Posted on by SAYAS

The beginning of the end

By Yonela Z. Njisane

Rubbing shoulders with the big guns -- the new Dr Amanda Yucca Chulayo
Rubbing shoulders with the big guns — the new Dr Amanda Yucca Chulayo

Just the other day a senior colleague and a big sis, Dr Amanda Yucca Chulayo, graduated with her doctoral degree in Agriculture-Animal Science. It was a great achievement and the beginning of a new chapter for her. For me it was inspiring and motivating. The thing is, she is “one of us”- another girl from the small town of Cofimvaba, blossoming for the whole world to witness.

Myself and Amanda, some years ago. I would like to think the conversation was about our work on cattle, getting some tips from the sweetest breed - Boran.
Myself and Amanda, some years ago. I would like to think the conversation was about our work on cattle, getting some tips from the sweetest breed – Boran.

Seeing her make it out strong despite of all the ups and downs I have seen and heard from her about her academic journey made me reflect on my own share of troubles. See, the journey itself may be bitter at times but the fruits to bear at the end are certainly sweeter. I know it’s hard to think about the sugary side of it when you are busy climbing the mountain with its obstacles.
As Greg Child said “Somewhere between the bottom of the climb and the summit, is the answer to the mystery why we climb”

 

The last picture I took with the Boys just before they were transported.
The last picture I took with the Boys just before they were transported.

It sure is a climb…
I am currently in the phase of my studies I would like to refer to as “The beginning of the end.” It has been a long and hectic five months of data collection and everything before and after that. The Boys are gone and I don’t really want to talk about it. They were loved dearly.
In short, we wrapped up all the behavioural observations and physiological sampling. I had to organize all the administrative issues around the slaughter processes. The observations and sampling was followed up during transportation and slaughter. And now, at the “almost” end, I am only left with some lab analyses.
Well, for obvious reasons, a part of me is glad it is all slowly coming to an end. But so far, I’ve learned more than I thought I could, and I think it’s not nearly the end of the learning process for me, even though I am edging closer and closer to that Dr title.
I think I am going to start writing a journal on “lessons of the day” just to make sure no day goes by without a dose of daily development. For instance, I have learnt a lot about myself, other people, different animal species and a long list of skills during this period of my studies:
• Selfie 101: I learnt that Yonela (Myself) is a strict, highly organized (Oh Yes I am!!!), straight forward and a professional person, period! She pays attention to details and she doesn’t really allow room for negotiations when it comes to that. Over time she can lose her cool when her patience is being tested. She gets frustrated when things are not going in order. She may be a sensitive person but she is very forgiving and has a big heart. She has learned to talk about herself in the third person 😉 and she might be doing better that she realizes…
• Society 101: I have learned that not everyone is as bad as I always perceived (personal experience). There are still good hearts out there, like those that tirelessly devoted their time and energy assisting me with my field work. As a good friend said in Shona “Yu werokamu” which means “we help each other,” and if it wasn’t for them, I don’t think I would have ever practically learned and seen the significance of that concept.
Of course you also have to learn the tough lessons about people. A friend made me realise that people will always talk. Whether you do “good or bad” there will always be those that are simply not satisfied with you. Sometimes you may know the reasons but sometimes you may not. But you can’t live trying to please other people. The lesson there is that you always strive to do the right thing, stick to your path without even trying to please anyone but God… in that way you will be safe.
• Animal 101: The time I spent at the farm was my favourite part of this PhD process. I always say that animals are the best creatures. I learned that it’s not just dogs and cats that are interesting, with that ability to amaze and make you smile. All animal species are fascinating and entertaining in their own way (but, sure, I may be biased a little bit…).

The Boys filling up in the afternoon for an evening snack -- it's their favourite time to graze.
The Boys filling up in the afternoon for an evening snack — it’s their favourite time to graze.

For instance, I didn’t know that donkeys were such anti-social creatures. We (with the Boys) were in the same paddock with them the other day and they would make sure to move further away whenever we got closer. But most of all, the animals I have studied all taught me to stay true to myself and always stick to the people that support and understand me.
• Time 101: Who would have thought that I (without being pushed) would make decisions to go to the field on weekends – even long ones and holidays? When I joined postgraduate studies I was told that there are no holidays at this level but I would always steal myself some time. I now have learnt the importance of each and every second. Time adds or subtracts towards the goal, depending on how it’s used.
Don’t they say you reap what you sow? I believe that! For every sacrifice there is a reward. One of the greatest examples is in the Bible, that of Jesus on the cross. One just needs to focus on the mission at hand and be disciplined, keeping the ultimate end in mind. What is a couple of holidays and weekends compared to the time of harvest? The ultimate goal…

All in all…

The last day of paddock behavioural observations -- my catwalk to the finish line.
The last day of paddock behaviour observations — my catwalk to the finish line.

One has to take a breath every now and again to reflect. As the Greek philosopher Socrates famously said, “The unexamined life is not worth living,” and that is true about the smaller parts of that life, including the PhD journey. Every journey is a teacher; either you take the lessons positively or negatively. What matters is the destination, which should inform your decisions. Whenever you feel discouraged, find inspiration from wherever you are. It could be from within or from other people or things. Just keep taking those steps towards the finish line.