Working towards my PhD at Cambridge has been deeply rewarding in a number of ways. The research community here is strong and motivating, and I was quickly encouraged to develop varied career skills (writing papers, proposals and applications etc.). The French section offers a number of opportunities to present and share research across career levels: I gave my first paper at the French Graduate Research Seminar, and was fortunate enough to co-convene the Modern French Research Seminar in my second and third year, which meant I could engage not only with my peers at postgraduate level but also with early-career researchers from across the UK and beyond. Cambridge’s teaching and supervision system also meant I was given ample opportunity to develop as a teacher, and the collegiate system gave me the chance to develop friendships and connections across disciplines outside of my own PhD work. It’s been a fantastic experience!

Maddison, March 2025