Shova Thapa Karki

Why did you choose Leeds for Postgraduate Research Degree Study?

Top class research institution, diverse, multi-disciplinary and interlinking group of researchers working in the School of Environment. Easy to approach and very supportive research staff and teaching members. Extensive support from other departmental members, such as IT support, finance department, teaching coordinators, in any kind of issues. Opportunities available for international students to develop their career in research and teaching from the beginning of the PhD. Exposure to different projects, seminar from renowned researchers and also from the beginning preparing students to present their papers in conferences through internal seminars.

How do you think a PhD degree has helped you develop both personally and in your career?

Personally, the PhD degree has given the confidence to present myself in a diverse environment, I believe that I can undertake any research and communicate my research with other researchers. In terms career, the degree has helped me to work on different research topics and environment.

Please give a brief profile of your career path to your current job.

I had a post-doctoral fellowship at STEPS Center, University of Sussex, where I developed a paper on peri-urban interface. I worked as Teaching Assistant at SPRU and School of Life Sciences at University of Sussex. Worked as a consultant for International  Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics (IIIEE), Lund University, Sweden. Worked as a research assistant for the TERESA project (Types of interaction between Environment, Rural Economy, Society and Agriculture in European regions). Currently working as a Tutorial Fellow at Business and Management School, University of Sussex.

What are the challenges and rewards of your current job?

I am teaching different subjects than the ones that I’m trained in so have to work hard and prepare myself. Rewards are that I am developing my career in multi-disciplinary fields in terms of and research.

What direction do you want your career to go in the future?

Before, I thought I would like to do research only, but as since two years I have been teaching and it has given me lots of confidence I would like to do research as well as teaching. My future plans are to get some exposure in developed countries, in teaching and research for 2-3 years and then I plan to go back to my country with all the necessary skills and exposure so that I can give something back to my country. I have secured a job as a Lecturer in the University of Malawi, and I will actively participate with communities in sustainable development.

What is it that makes you passionate about your area of study? 

Assisting the less fortunate communities and understanding the causes of poverty

What has been the best part of studying at Leeds so far?

When being involved in teaching and demonstration, and internal conferences

How would you describe the experience of being a PhD student?

Enjoyable, challenging, accommodating and helpful. The professors treat us as part of the family. We are always consulted on issues affecting the school.

What are the academic facilities for students like?

Excellent.

What kind of support do you get from your supervisors?

Apart from academic, the supervisors have also been supportive socially and helpful in deciding careers, as well as publishing your work.

What do you like about the School of Earth and Environment?

It's the people. Their attention and commitment to help the students. 

What do you do in your spare time?

Write a project proposal for development projects and write articles on development.

Tell us what you think about the University as a whole as a place to study:

It is a nice place with qualified teaching personnel and modern equipment for all relevant fields.