Antonia has been paving the way for greater sustainability management in UK universities after choosing to explore the topic for her doctoral thesis. Her work was even recognised for a prestigious award last year!
We caught up with Antonia to learn more about her area of research expertise, her journey as a PhD student at the School of Education, and what her hopes are for her groundbreaking research after successfully defending her doctoral thesis.
Tell us a little bit about yourself!
I am a passionate researcher, and for the last nine years, I have immersed myself in the world of academia. I believe in the power of lifelong learning. Every year, I have pushed myself a little further beyond my comfort zone and tried out something new. Whether through presenting my research at a global conference or serving as the Faculty PGR representative at the University of Bristol, I am striving to have a positive impact on people’s lives. On the rare occasions when I am not at university, you will probably find me folding intricate origami figures or watching the latest K-drama series.
Why did you choose to study for your PhD at the School of Education, University of Bristol?
It was an easy decision for me to pursue my PhD at Bristol. The School of Education has a reputation for excellence in research. I applied specifically to work with Professor Robin Shields, who is now Head of the School of Education at the University of Queensland. I have also been privileged to learn from my second supervisor, Professor Leon Tikly, and I am grateful to Professor Lisa Lucas for her sound advice over the past year. She kindly stepped in when Robin left for Australia.
What has been your favourite thing so far about studying with us?
Looking back at my three years at Bristol, one thing that stands out for me is the support and opportunities that the University offers to students to grow academically and personally. For example: I taught students, was an assistant for research projects, co-authored a blog series, organised a faculty-wide PGR conference and applied for funding to enhance the research culture at Bristol. All of these activities have helped me to build my career and successfully secure my first lecturer position at the University of Surrey recently.
‘It was an easy decision for me to pursue my PhD at Bristol. The School of Education has a reputation for excellence in research’
Can you tell us more about your research interests?
I am an advocate for interdisciplinary research. For my PhD, I brought together the disciplines of higher education, sustainability and business management to examine the management of sustainability in UK universities. This interdisciplinary focus has allowed me to navigate more easily complexity, which is an inherent characteristic of sustainability. As a society, we don’t know how we can become sustainable; it is a continuously evolving issue. I have taken a holistic approach to sustainability to understand how we can balance environmental, social and financial needs.
How did you decide on the topic for your doctoral thesis; ‘Brave Actions or Grave Decisions: The Management of Sustainability in the UK University Sector’?
The title of my thesis was inspired by a trip to Bristol’s Arnos Vale Cemetery. The cemetery had an art exhibition on the environmental impact of plastic flowers left on graves. The exhibition title ‘Grave Decisions’ played with the double meaning of the word grave. My thesis title refers to the two dominant approaches that UK universities adopt when planning for sustainability. Some universities take ‘brave actions’ and embrace uncertainties and risks more while others make the ‘grave decision’ to fear the uncertainties and lower their ambitions for sustainability. With my thesis, I offer universities a tool to reflect on their sustainability approaches and plan better for a sustainable future.
Can you tell us more about your findings and what you uncovered through writing your thesis?
My key finding is the tool that I have just mentioned. I called it ‘Paradox of Control’. For my PhD, I mapped the whole UK university sector, which is made up of 137 institutions. I explain with the Paradox of Control how universities as organisations can navigate the uncertainties, complexities and risks that are associated with the journey to become sustainable. The tool can help universities to develop ways of balancing their needs for financial stability and their ambitions to have an impact for environmental and social sustainability.
Your thesis was praised by examiners for its quality, significance and potential impact. With this in mind, do you have any hopes for your thesis now that it is complete?
I have always wanted my research to have practical use. It has been very satisfying to be able to work with sustainability managers from several UK universities. My research findings have fed into their conversations about how to develop more robust sustainability approaches. Since joining the University of Surrey, I have started to support the sustainability team to implement their ambitions for environmental sustainability. I also work now as a consultant for other UK universities advising them on how they could become sector leaders for sustainability, or how they could take ‘brave actions’.
Do you have any top tips for our current doctoral students?
My top tip for current doctoral students is to enjoy and use the freedom that doctoral studies give you. It is rare to have such a protected space and focused time to pursue your academic interests. I have also learned to appreciate other academics’ advice that there is not only one way of doing a PhD. Your PhD will be as unique as you are. So, I encourage students to foster and be proud of that uniqueness. Finally, when you get to the point of the viva, go into the examination seeing it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have an in-depth discussion about your work.
Congratulations on successfully defending your thesis! What are your plans now that you’ve achieved your PhD?
Originally, I had planned to take a long overdue holiday. However, life had slightly different plans for me as I was fortunate enough to secure my current position as a lecturer at the University of Surrey. I am excited that I have a chance to enhance students’ learning experiences by introducing them to topics such as sustainability management. I am also very keen to continue my research, of course. Currently, I am working on publishing key findings from my PhD.
We loved catching up with Antonia and we can’t wait to see what’s in store next for her!
Find out more about our Education PhD programme:
Visit our Education PhD programme webpage: https://www.bristol.ac.uk/education/study/doctoral/
