Katharina is an international student from Germany currently studying a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) at UWA, with a focus on Linguistics. As a proud Forrest Research Foundation scholar, she shares what inspired her to pursue a research degree, the most life-changing moments of her journey so far, and her advice for future students considering a Higher Degree by Research (HDR) at UWA.
What inspired Katharina to pursue research in her field
Studying a research degree gives you the chance to dive deeper into a subject you're passionate about, build new skills and expand your professional network. For Katharina, it was her fascination with the dynamic nature of language that sparked her interest in research.
“Throughout my studies, I became particularly interested in sociolinguistics, which studies the dynamic interaction between language, society, and culture, and considers how social factors such as region, class, age, gender, ethnicity, and social networks influence language use and variation, as well as language contact, that is when two or more languages come into contact with one another.
The UWA Linguistics Department and The Language Lab focus on these two areas, which immediately drew me to UWA. In addition, members of The Language Lab research Aboriginal English, which is an indigenised variety of English spoken by First Nations people in Australia that functions as a strong marker of identity for its speakers. I saw pursuing a PhD at UWA as my chance to collaborate with First Nations communities in a culturally appropriate way, generate new insights into sociolinguistics and language contact studies, and contribute to the growing body of research on Aboriginal English.”
The moments that have had the biggest impact on Katharina’s journey
Moving away from home, friends and family can be one of the biggest challenges for international students. Katharina reflects on how this experience and the support she received has shaped her journey:
“As an international student, one of the most impactful things for me has been moving very far away from my family and friends. It is difficult at times, but at the same time, I feel very well supported, because I am part of the Forrest Research Foundation. The Foundation awarded me a generous scholarship and accepted me into an incredibly welcoming and kind community of researchers.”
Alongside adjusting to life abroad, Katharina shares the benefits and challenges of studying a PhD:
“Studying a PhD is certainly not an easy task to do. It forces you to get out of your comfort zone and learn to manage multiple things and aspects of your project simultaneously. But I believe that acquiring good project management skills, trying new things, and learning to deal with unknown feelings and situations will foster personal growth and impact my professional development in a very positive way.”
The supportive research community at UWA
At UWA, research students are supported at every stage with dedicated services, support from the Graduate Research School, and our passionate and engaged supervisors. For Katharina, this support has made a real difference to her journey, helping her feel truly connected to UWA’s research community.
“No matter what aspect of my PhD I need help with, there is always someone to ask. For instance, I have been attending quite a few workshops for HDR students offered by the Graduate Research School and have also been able to participate in various interdisciplinary events such as a reading group, presentations by researchers from various disciplines, and movie screenings from other fields of study."
Katharina’s advice for future research students
Not sure if research is for you? Here’s Katharina’s advice if you’re considering taking the leap:
“Research can be super fun, but also quite challenging. My advice would be to just go for it and not be afraid of any potential challenges. When things get tough, we can rely on a fantastic community of inspiring researchers, educators, and peers who will support us, push us in the right direction, and provide whatever is needed for us to succeed.”
Are you thinking about diving deeper into your field? Learn more about studying a Higher Degree by Research (HDR) at UWA and see the range of HDR scholarships on offer.
