Meet Our Funded Postgraduates

My research explores effective teacher professional development for Brazilian physics teachers in public schools to integrate virtual labs and dialogic teaching through design-based research.

Design-based empirical research is challenging. Collecting first-hand data requires extensive fieldwork, often demanding significant time and effort. In my case, I collaborated with six Brazilian schools in small towns, navigating permit applications with local governments, coordinating teachers across schools, and traveling between locations—all of which posed considerable mental and financial strain. This funding made my research possible, providing great support to undertake this complex project.

Homerton feels like a second home to me—it’s always warm and supportive. Everyone, from students and tutors to porters and staff, is so friendly. Even the principal always gives a warm greeting when I walk past his window. There are all kinds of events, like Changemakers, music concerts, and MCR activities, bringing students from different majors together. I lost my mom early on and went through years of struggles, but this is a place where I truly feel I belong.

I'm a member of the boat club, and it’s an amazing community. Last year, my teammates and I competed in the May Bumps rowing event. Despite our different ages, races, and nationalities, we all trained hard for the same goal—and in the end, we bumped nine boats and earned a superblade. It was an unforgettable experience, and I’m so proud to be part of the team. We all take pride in rowing for Homerton.

I also participated in Changemaker events and applied for the Catalyst project. Although my team didn’t win an award, it was still an incredible experience to see so many outstanding projects and exchange ideas with like-minded people.

Every corner of Homerton is lovely. During the blooming season, the garden is the most enchanting spot in Homerton. The flower-covered path in front of the gym makes the college feel like a paradise. But as a PhD student, the library is probably my closest companion—and I especially love the scarf on Mr. Skeleton.

I hope to continue working in research. With the rapid advancement of AI, integrating technology into education remains a crucial topic, along with the professional development of teachers. I aim to use my expertise to contribute to this evolving field. 

My thesis explores gift- and reciprocity-based civil welfare systems through ethnographic research of a mutual-aid network that emerged during the Covid-19 pandemic in a working-class district of Madrid.

The funding that I have received is the only reason why I have been able to enroll in this specific PhD program, which is a goal that I have pursued since I first began my undergraduate studies.

Homerton has meant the chance to fulfil my highest academic ambition, as well as an incredible source of personal and institutional support throughout my PhD.

The gardens; during my year living in College, I especially liked the bench/table area outside the Griffin during spring – I loved to take my laptop or book there in the spring and enjoy the garden.

I’m still trying to figure that out. Ideally, I’d like to combine academia with creative production outlets (photography, documentaries, journalism) and other forms of applied anthropology (public outreach, consulting perhaps?). I don’t have a clear answer yet.

I’m a criminal lawyer looking at the doctrinal and philosophical relationship between addicted intoxication and culpability.

In addition to enabling me to complete my PhD here at Cambridge, being part-sponsored by Homerton has introduced me to the wonderful social and academic community at the College.

It’s a second home for me. The sense of comfort and familiarity I have with the College makes it one of my most important places in Cambridge.

I feel very lucky to be able to enjoy the peace of Homerton’s expansive grounds in the warmer months. When the English weather is being less generous, the buttery is a great work space, while the contemporary grandeur of the dining hall is a wonderful place to eat and socialise.

It’s an open question. I feel very fortunate to have so many avenues open to me by virtue of completing a PhD here, and I’m considering a number of options. Check back closer to the end of the doctorate!

I use quantitative methods to explore how language works in both first and second language grammars, focusing on the interfaces between syntax, semantics, and discourse.

This support has allowed me to focus fully on my research and tackle academic challenges with greater confidence. It has been truly transformative.

Homerton is where I feel truly at home. Whenever I return—whether from fieldwork, a talk at another institution, or just a day in town—I am welcomed by a unique sense of warmth and security.

I joined Changemakers as soon as I arrived—my first step into Homerton’s warm, inclusive community as an international student. I’ve also coordinated the Chinese Linguistics Seminar under my supervisor’s guidance, bringing together researchers across departments. Collaborating with passionate peers has been incredibly rewarding.

I love the study area above the Porter’s Lodge. There’s something almost magical about it—it has a relaxed yet scholarly atmosphere—and I’m always much more productive there.

I plan to continue in academia. My time at Cambridge has deepened my fascination with linguistics while revealing countless questions I’m eager to explore further.

My research explores how children's climate fiction promotes and nuances climate literacy by challenging anthropocentrism, revealing the limits of human knowledge, and renegotiating human-nonhuman relations.

This funding has significantly contributed to my academic growth and confidence. It has helped me access crucial research materials and attend conferences. Most recently, I attended the IBBY UK conference in London, where I engaged with some of the leading writers and thinkers in my field. These opportunities are invaluable for refining my research ideas and building professional connections. This funding has also given me the flexibility to attend researcher development sessions and interdisciplinary talks in allied research areas, such as sustainability and environmental history. These experiences help me go the extra mile in honing my craft and expanding my research interests.

Students often joke that it’s ‘Home’rton, and that’s actually true. Colleges are integral to the Cambridge experience, and Homerton fosters a deep sense of belonging. I also associate Homerton with growth. Its multidisciplinary, socially conscious, and forward-looking atmosphere has nurtured me intellectually, professionally, and personally.

I enjoy Homerton’s vibrant intellectual community, especially the research suppers and Changemakers events. The Changemakers Autumn Residential has given me insights, skills, and memories that I will carry with me for life. Through the Changemakers Mentoring Scheme, I was connected with a Homerton alumnus who has helped me reflect on my academic and professional goals. I also had the pleasure of meeting many nostalgic Homerton alumni when I volunteered at The Philippa Pearce Lecture, where I also met Cressida Cowell. Thanks to the wonderful team at the Homerton Library, I’ve had the unique opportunity to research rare books in Homerton’s Children’s Literature Collection. 

At the Faculty of Education, I’m a member of the CRCLC and participate regularly in their events, which I always find enriching and thought-provoking. The Faculty hosts several thriving research groups, and I take every opportunity to engage in reading groups and seminars relevant to my research topic. Beyond this, I’ve contributed as a Sub-Editor for CERJ and as an Education Research Officer on a climate change education project, through which I was also involved with the Cambridge Climate Society. Most recently, I completed the University’s carbon literacy training, which I highly recommend.

I also have a nodding acquaintance with the ducks, squirrels, and magpies at Homerton, who are essential members of our community!

It has to be more than one. The College Library, the Homerton Café, and of course, the Homerton gardens—the orchard, fields, and the pond. I would also add the Mary Allan Building because I have happy memories from the lectures and seminars held there.

I worked in publishing before starting my PhD, so I would be happy to return to that field. It’s still early days in my research, and I’m also excited to see what opportunities it may open. I do know, however, that I will want to continue contributing to initiatives that help mitigate and adapt to climate change.

My PhD research focuses on the development of deep learning models to make cancer radiotherapy more adaptive and personalised to each individual patient’s changing anatomy.

I’m privileged to be funded by both the Gates Cambridge Scholarship and the Charter Postgraduate Award. This means I can focus on my research, attend world-class workshops and conferences, and enjoy the broader Cambridge experience without having to worry about living expenses.

As an international student from Singapore, Homerton truly feels like a home away from home. I’m grateful to be surrounded by supportive and like-minded friends who help me keep my homesickness at bay.

I actively participate in the incredible Homerton Changemakers programme, which helps equip us with skills and knowledge beyond our degree so that we can make a true difference in the world. Outside Homerton, I’m also an active member of the Gates Cambridge Scholars community.

The duck pond, without a doubt. The beauty of Homerton being a distance away from the city centre is the peace and tranquillity on the college grounds. I love walking through the orchard to the duck pond at sunset and watching the ducks bask in the golden rays. I only wish the pond was bigger (so more ducks will visit us).

I’m hoping to become a clinician-scientist so that I can continue to research on new methods of treating cancer while keeping up with my clinical practice.

My research explores how teachers and researchers can develop collective agency to challenge deficit-oriented discourses of ‘inclusion’ and ‘justice’ in the mathematics classroom. 

I am a Smuts Cambridge International scholar and also a Charter scholar at Homerton. The scholarships gave me the confidence that Cambridge institutions have faith in me, and that it is possible to return to academics after a gap, even as a woman from the Global South. My funding has minimised financial stress and helped me to focus on my academic work. It has also allowed me to do a bit of travelling, which I consider to be extremely important – not simply to maximize my experience at a UK University, but also for my emotional well-being. 

Picking Homerton as my college of choice was the best decision I made. While applying to Cambridge, I had initially chosen only mature colleges, thinking that those would be the best fit for scholars returning to academics. But I changed my mind and chose Homerton, as advised by a friend who had been to Cambridge. Today, I know for sure life in Cambridge would not have been the same if I had not chosen Homerton.

Negotiating academic life and personal well-being is never easy, and along with some good times, I have also gone through some troubled times during my doctoral studies. In times of need, I know I can count on the best possible mentoring and support from Homerton’s superlative Postgraduate Tutors team, and find succour in the deeply inclusive environment here.

Homerton is truly my home and happy place in Cambridge. 

Being in Higher Education can sometimes be challenging, especially for International students coming from varied cultural and personal contexts. I have tried to support the wider student community both formally and informally. I have been the FERSA (Faculty of Education Research Students’ Association) elected representative on the Learning and Teaching Committee for 2022-23, and again for the current year, 2024-25. Part of my responsibilities there include making sure that Postgraduate students’ voices and concerns are heard.

At Homerton, I play a more informal role in bringing students together – often over fusion pot-luck meals. We talk about life at Cambridge, our research and sundry other stuff over authentic home-cooked food from different regions of the world. I have also been designated the resident ‘Plant Mom’ at my Postgraduate Accommodation – other residents come to leave their plants with me for care while they are away, and sometimes borrow some for their own rooms!

The breathtakingly beautiful green spaces in Homerton are my safe haven, happy place and reflective space – all rolled into one. I have spent many an evening taking a walk around the football field and apple orchard behind Morley House – listening to my fieldwork data, spending time on a bench watching squirrels devour apples, or just sitting around enjoying the sunshine. And I never miss a chance to walk past the gorgeous Homerton rose garden when it is in bloom – stopping to smell the roses when I can. It serves as a reminder about my PhD life too – that it is important to savour the journey, not just focus solely on the destination. 

I have years of professional experience in designing games and learning resources for mathematics. I want to build on that and the insights from my doctoral research to design a project on creating socially just mathematics classrooms ­– where every child feels truly respected and included and has the opportunity and safe space to learn important mathematics. Homerton Changemakers offers incredible advice on such ventures, and I hope to make use of that.

I’m interested in the history of British education from the twentieth century, especially issues of grammar schools and how different pupils experience the school system.

Homerton’s funding has allowed me to go on to do a postgraduate degree and remain in this brilliant community, essentially enabling me to live the dream for another year, while providing me with even more skills and opportunities to produce research.

To me, Homerton is an environment in which anyone can be themselves at a truly authentic level. People make places, and during my time at Homerton, the people have upheld a real culture of including everyone, having each other’s backs, and ultimately being the most supportive academic environment I have ever been in.

I was captain of one of the football teams last year, where we managed to win promotion and, above all, cultivated a welcoming environment for everyone across the club to get involved. I’m also involved in the Politics society, bringing speakers in from across the planet to speak to Homerton students. This has been one of the greatest privileges of being in Cambridge – being exposed to such a range of backgrounds and ideas – and bringing these closer to Homerton has been an honour.

I love the JCR, which I’ve had so many memories with my friends in across the last four years, but it has to be the Orchard and field behind it. It reminds me of my home back in rural Lincolnshire, and provides a brilliant escape from my busy life at Cambridge!

Good question; I’ve got a luxury of choice because of this place! I’ve applied to do a PhD which would explore a history of the teaching profession from the 1980s but, beyond that, I want to deliver meaningful change to improve the lives of everyone I met in the first eighteen years of my life, especially those from difficult backgrounds, and their future descendants. My life will be committed to figuring out the best way to do that, using this privileged education I have!

My course explores the major political and economic issues which influence the development of countries in the global North and the global South. 

Receiving the Homerton Charter Postgraduate Award has made a vital impact on my time here at Cambridge. On a practical level, the funding from the award has allowed me to engage with some of the most exciting opportunities available here at Cambridge, and I have thus far made memories which I know I will carry through for the rest of my life.

Being selected for this award before arriving in Cambridge also meant a lot to me on a personal level.  It can be intimidating transitioning to such a historic and prestigious institution as Cambridge, however being selected for the Homerton Charter Postgraduate Award made me feel instantly valued and recognised by the College. I am very grateful to the donors who made the funding of this award possible. 

I have found Homerton College to be an incredibly welcoming and supportive community. I have made friends for life here at Homerton and I am proud to be associated with such a forward-thinking and diverse institution. 

I have really enjoyed engaging with the multi-faceted aspects of university life here in Cambridge. I am an active member of the Homerton Changemakers, a programme which speaks to our strong tradition of public service and social justice at Homerton. I am also part of Homerton’s MCR committee and as Postgraduate Events and Entertainment Officer, I work with the other Ents officers to put on memorable events for the student community. We are currently planning a ‘Casino Royale’ themed formal, which I think promises to be one of the best events of the year! 

Outside of College, I am a member of the University of Cambridge Reproductive Rights society, and I am currently taking extra courses of Beginners Portuguese through my department, which I am really enjoying.

I love sitting on the top floor of the buttery cafe and looking out towards our great hall and gardens with a coffee. 

After my degree, I hope to apply what I have learnt during my MPhil to working in the fields of policy analysis and international development. I am particularly interested in addressing issues of sustainable development and the formulation of policies which ensure the green transition occurs in an equitable and just manner for all. 

The shape of mathematical objects made of fractal-like numbers by looking at how they act and transform geometrical spaces.

The funding helped me enjoy the first year of studies with a lot of ease by allowing me to cycle with an electric bike
 

Homerton is the best college in Cambridge to me, it is a safe, green and nice space full of friendly people.

Via the first Changemakers residential in 2022, a great experience that I am grateful to have been able to go to in the following years!

Definitely the small pond among the trees with a bench nearby; it is calm and reassuring as well as full of animals passing by!
 

That is a nice question. Teaching is a passion that I would like to bring forward anyway, and music likewise.

My academic interests are in the philosophy of medicine and medical ethics, particularly in relation to women's health.

This funding has relieved some of the financial worries of postgraduate study and allowed me to participate fully in college and university life.

Homerton is a welcoming community of like-minded people, which provides opportunities both for socialising with other students and for professional and academic enrichment. Its large grounds, excellent facilities and modern postgraduate accommodation make it a great place to live, as does its friendly and diverse student body.

I love to go to the many formals and MCR events organised within college, and have attended a variety of talks and reading groups in my department. I have also become involved at Homerton through acting as a student consultant for a symposium on gender, power and culture, and working as an invigilator for undergraduate exams.

The Griff (the college bar) - it's a great social space to catch up with friends or go to after a formal.

I'm hoping to pursue a PhD after my MPhil in order to further explore my research interests.

My research addresses English learners’ task engagement, and how it is predicted by task climate and learners’ preferences for task content related to different cultures.

The Homerton College Charter Postgraduate Award has empowered me greatly on my academic journey. I feel deeply honoured by this recognition, and this award has given me valuable support to conduct my research and a long-lasting motivation to seek excellence.

For me, Homerton is a warm, dynamic, and supportive community where I can enjoy every moment of my work and life (e.g. in the library, the dining hall, and the college bar…). Also, the Homerton community gives me wonderful opportunities to communicate with people from various professional backgrounds.

In the Homerton and Cambridge communities, I have been immersing myself in exchanging knowledge and ideas with people from different majors and making friends who share the same hobbies with me, such as writing poems and exploring new places and activities in Homerton and Cambridge.

My favourite place in the College is the apple orchard. It always brings me a sense of tranquillity and natural inspiration whenever I linger there, and it is enjoyable to witness the life cycle of the flowers, fruits, and leaves in the four seasons on the beautiful Homerton campus.

After my degree, I plan to continue academic research in the language learning field, deepen my expertise, and make more contributions to the field through research and teaching.

My research focuses on investigating new treatments and understanding treatment resistance in a lethal, incurable subtype of children’s brain tumour known as Diffuse Midline Glioma.

Receiving the Charter Postgraduate Award has helped to ease the burden of academic expenses and allowed me to focus more on my research. The funding has helped to cover study materials, conference fees, and other essentials, enhancing my academic progress and opportunities.

Homerton to me means a home away from home, a great environment that enriches both intellectual and social life beyond that of university lectures and labs. It is a wonderful place where discussions with peers from different research fields can make you think about your research from a different point of view, inspiring new avenues of thought.

I have engaged with the Homerton and Cambridge communities by participating in college events, academic discussions, and social activities. I have connected with fellow students and researchers, contributing to a collaborative and supportive environment, as well as making great friends for life.

The college grounds.

Beyond postgraduate study, my career aspirations are to one day hold a principal investigator position with my own laboratory, where I can continue my love for research, provide a great environment for the next generation of researchers, and make an impact on the understanding and treatment of paediatric glioma.

Exploration into the impact on learner engagement through a role reversal intervention between GCSE resit students and their Maths & English teachers in Further Education.

It is always important to know that people are investing in your research journey. As well as the financial help, it is also a source of encouragement at times when the research process can be challenging. 

As a part-time student, I am not at Homerton as much as others. However, whenever I am in College, it is a welcoming place with an overwhelming sense of belonging. I have always been met with a friendly smile by the Homerton community. 

I have been able to join some of the part-time Cambridge and Homerton networks during my time on my master's and now my doctorate. It is important to meet with other part-time students as it is a very different experience to studying full-time. 

The dining room is a great place to meet and eat with friends. It is always a welcome break from the research. 

I'd like to continue working in the Further Education sector, but in a role that can work with lots of colleges to innovate their teaching and learning strategies. 

I work at the intersection of contemporary art, philosophy, and film and screen studies to unpack experiences offered by moving image installations.

This funding has enabled me to focus on research, explore and invest time in my potential as an academic, while meeting inspiring academics and colleagues that helped me to grow as both an academic and as a person. This opportunity gave me a possibility to become more confident and explore my 'voice' as a researcher.

Supportive environment.

Although my entire PhD experience was during the pandemic, which removed opportunities to create new bonds, I have developed strong connections with people during the first few months in 2019, which formed my sense of community in Cambridge and have remained strong since - people from the college, the Centre for Film and Screen and other research network opportunities that I was a part of.

The gardens and the new dining hall building.

Continue research and creative practice, lecture at the university and be involved in curating and coordinating art-related projects.