Search
Close this search box.
Karen (She/ Her) is an architect from Mexico City who is currently competing a PhD at the University of Leeds, which she started in December 2021. ​She began her academic career in Mexico City, writing her undergraduate dissertation, ‘The building as a mean in the architect’s education: The secret voices of the design studio” in 2017. This was her first foray into the analysis of space and its relation to pedagogical practices. She then began working at a young design studio based in Mexico City, before working at a school with children on the autism spectrum. This led her to study a master’s programme at Barcelona. Her second dissertation: ‘Re-think, Reframe, and Re-imagine educational spaces within the complexity of human and non-human intra-actions’ (2019) provided an insightful analysis into the concept of architectural character with the new materialism theories. In 2020 she taught at university level while studying a one year course about Bioclimatic Architecture, before beginning her PhD at Leeds.

“Look Right, Look Left”

Karen, who recently started her PhD at the University of Leeds, reflects on her experiences adjusting to life in the UK, including the language barrier, slower pace of life, and the complexities of the PhD journey. She shares the struggles of finding her research direction, fighting gender stereotypes in academia, and the fears that come with being an international student.

Read More »

The Trials of the “Trailing Spouse”

Relocating for a PhD and academic career is often not only required of the candidate but their partners and/or children, too. How do we acknowledge and amplify the experiences of “the trailing spouse and families” while also creating systemic change that would make academic career moves more feasible and fulfilling for all involved?

Read More »

Is There Life After A PhD?

Discover what life has to offer after completing a PhD as Aly Flint reflects on her experience as an Early Career Researcher. After looking for work in the academic job market, Flint found The Brilliant Club, which offers rewarding and flexible work teaching university-style short courses to secondary school students, allowing her to create bespoke courses based on her current research.

Read More »
Your contribution to our PhD Stories helps us disseminate valuable support to researchers worldwide.
Update cookies preferences