May 8, 2025, by Jackie Thompson
The drive for research knowledge and skills
By Godfred Osei Kwarteng, PhD Public Policy
Growing up, I have always loved to inquire why and how things happen the way they do. I am intrigued by learning new ways of doing things better and this has been my drive for knowledge and research skills. As such, I am keen to learn and explore evidence-based approaches and findings to understanding the world.
Why I chose to undertake a PhD at the University of Nottingham
After completing an MA in International Social Policy at the University of Nottingham, sponsored by the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat, I knew I wanted to deepen my research skills and understanding of public policy and influence change at a policy level.
The University of Nottingham has always been my top university for higher education in the UK. Aside from being a Russell Group University, I had the opportunity to undertake internships during my master’s degree, supported by the Careers and Employability Service. I was a community organiser for Nottingham Citizens Advice and a research associate for B-Global. These internships equipped me with employability skills and enhanced my successful job application for a community care officer with Nottingham City Council after my master’s degree.
The university stands out because of its strong research culture, supportive supervision, and state-of the-art facilities. Here, I felt I could develop the advanced analytical and methodological skills required to make a meaningful contribution to public policy scholarship.
How it’s going so far
My PhD journey has been both challenging and rewarding. Although this journey has just started as a first-year student, I have immersed myself in extensive literature reviews, learning to map existing research and identifying research gaps with the support of my supervisors.
Shaping my knowledge and skills
I have made good use of Postgraduate Research (PGR) seminars and signed up for different research training courses with the Researcher Academy.
Again, as a research assistant for a project examining Black African migrant families’ experiences of transitioning to work in the UK’s health and care sector and PGR Representative for the School of Sociology and Social Policy’s Research and Knowledge Exchange Committee, I continue to shape my research knowledge and skills on this PhD journey.
Future career plan
Looking ahead, I plan to pursue a career as a policy researcher in industry and higher education institutions. In the short term, I envision to publish articles in peer-reviewed journals and present findings at international conferences.
After my PhD, I aim to work with think-tanks and non-governmental organisations where I can translate research into practical policy recommendations. Ultimately, I envisage a role in higher education, combining teaching and research to train the next generation of public and social policy experts.
Top tips for prospective PhD students
Prospective PhD students should passionately choose a research area which translates into their career plans because you are trained to become an expert in a particular field. Being passionate means your motivation will carry through tough times.
Additionally, prospective students should research potential supervisors thoroughly as they are central to the success of your scholarship. Build a support network with different PGR cohorts to enable you to navigate your PhD journey and always remember that PhD is a marathon, not a sprint!
The Careers team are here to support if you are thinking about a PhD and if you stay at Nottingham, our expert advisers can help you every step of the way to achieving your goals after your PhD.
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