Kathryn Zacharek is a Techne-funded PhD researcher working on the biopolitics of right-wing populism at the University of Brighton. When she is not studying she works as an academic support worker in the Disability and Dyslexia department, as well as fulfilling the role of Senior-Editor of the student-led journal Interfere.  Follow her on Twitter: @kzacharek212​

Coping with Bereavement During a PhD: Grow Around the Grief

Grief is a lesser-discussed topic in academia, but processing grief due to the loss of a loved one compounds the challenges of doing a PhD. In this thought-provoking article, Kathryn Zacharek shares her experience of navigating a PhD during bereavement, where she took time out, leaned on her support networks, and researched ways to let her life ‘grow around the grief’.

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Solidarity In The Collective

It’s important to find community and support while undertaking a PhD. For Kathryn, forming a decolonisation collective held potential for friendship. In this article she reflects on the valuable lessons learned from being part of a collective, including the need for solidarity, sharing resources, and supporting one another emotionally and mentally.

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Preparing for the Transfer Viva. My Experience

Get insights into preparing for the transfer viva, an important step in your research journey, from someone who has gone through it. Learn how to focus on your contributions to knowledge, practice your presentation without overdoing it, and trust that you know your research better than anyone else.

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Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) for Power Electronic Converters

In modern smart grids, the majority of electromagnetic interference (EMI), particularly within the conducted emission frequency range, arises from Power Electronic (PE) converters. These converters have the potential to cause EMC issues. In accordance with European and British directives, EMC compliance mandates that devices operating within a network should function without introducing interference that leads to “substantial degradation of service under normal operating conditions.” Consequently, any device intended for the market must undergo tests specified in standards like CISPR-16.

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