- - -

My thesis work — "The Normative Influence of Climate Movements on the UNFCCC COP Negotiations" focuses on how global norms by climate movements and transnational advocacy networks influence UNFCCC Conference of Parties (COP). The work is supervised by  Prof. Viktoria Spaiser, Prof. Richard Beardsworth, and Prof. Cristina Stefan.

The thesis stems from the project "Understanding normative change to address the climate emergency" by Dr. Viktoria Spaiser. See more:

Understanding normative change to address the climate emergency

University of Leeds logo

My involvement with Priestley Centre for Climate Futures (see here) has been to strengthen my research work. Further, publications so far directly and/or indirectly relates to the PhD work.

Doing doctoral studies in University of Leeds - School of Politics and International Studies, has been a great experience—with the supportive environment of supervisors, mentors, and friends.

First Year (2022-2023)

First year was largely about getting to know the campus, the supervisors, the friends, the city, and to make new friends. I would say, I got lucky to be positioned in a project where my PhD thesis situates clearly—therefore, the intellectual demand was to get myself well-versed with the literature, the overarching themes, and to build the "argument". This was followed by an internal "Transfer" or viva which makes you go through a rigorous process of getting ready with:

• Research Proposal
• A Sample Chapter (I did a Literature Review Chapter)
• I also had a document where I listed definitions of key terms which will later be covered in the Introduction Chapter (which however, wasn't necessary for the Literature Review Chapter)

I passed the Transfer and became "PhD Candidate" around July 2023.

Second Year (2023-2024)

The second year was data collection.

I had to do a (1) Qualitative Content Analysis of Interview data (2) Discourse Analysis of Cover Decisions (which are the final negotiated texts at each COP).

My thesis needed expert interviews from UNFCCC COP negotiators, diplomats, UN officials and more. Sourcing elite interviews was a touch challenge. But what helped most was the professional networks and random snowballing technique. I was supported to attend the COP28 in UAE in November-December 2023, and UN Climate Conference in Bonn (SB60) in June 2024.

The analysis, and learning how to code using MAXQDA and NVivo (softwares) took most of the time. I had to keep refining the findings and analysis. The systematic mentorship of Prof. Spaiser and Prof. Beardsworth throughout this process, and constant contact with them to brainstorm ideas, concepts and methods was highly providential.

I had immense joy in exploring the city more, making new friends at Church (St. George's) and trying new cuisines, and building life-long friendships.

Friendships beyond Leeds were amazing too!! I had the lovely experience to reconnect with old friends, make new friends in the cities and countries I travelled.

What I loved the most during this year - was testing my limits on slogging for professional advancement: writing, blogging, collaborating. What doesn't come out in Linkedin or Twitter (X) are the hours of sleepless nights, the awkward requests (emails) to experts or mutual friends in professional networks—to brainstorm ideas, and the amount of times you re-write a 1000 word piece to make sense of what you're wanting to express. Being hungry to learn more was key - and I found I need to be unapologetically me, in order to grow.

I am also deeply grateful to my family who checked in on me always, taking time to pray nearly everyday as a family no matter where we were. Dad and mom gave me the safest place to be me in all my rollercoasters <3 Simeon's (my second elder brother) role in my PhD is also something I will never forget. He was always only just a call or message away for anything: whether it was to cry out (since I am a very private person; I never like showing emotions publicly), complain, crack jokes, clear my head on anything, and even to discuss ideas, new political trends, newspapers to read, and authors to keep track of. He was doing his Masters in Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and I've went to the US twice during this year - for conferences, where he was there to meet me wherever I'd be, and to cook good food for me, so that while I am with him, I am fully taken care of. This was privilege! <3

Third (Final) Year (2024-2025)

The final year was more about how to wrap up. This meant - collating thoughts, grappling with different concepts, giving more authenticity and depth to your analysis, and finally writing up.

Writing up was far tougher than I anticipated.

Final year is a tightrope. My personal experience was that, this year was when I needed utmost balance - not power, nor hunger to learn more (unlike first two years). It's a time where knowledge settles down and translates to paper - so channelling every energy to maximise the clarity of the output, was the most important part.

Further, final year in doctoral studies is not just about intellectual rigour, but about discipline, self care, downtime, and doing small things (for me, I did things like colouring, going for walks, seeing movies, listening to music, journalling, and immersing in nature) where you intentionally take time to feel the colours, the sounds, the birds chirping, the leaves moving, and being present. Not dismissing any overwhelming thoughts, but meeting emotionally vulnerable moments with prayer and presence. It's not easy.

Mentors help. So, another fact that I understood through this journey is that talking to those who have journeyed this phase before is good. I have had amazingly kind mentors along the way - who never have once judged me for writing to them asking questions, or scheduling short e-meetings, to discuss important things (but being very carefully not to swamp them; since they'd be juggling even more than what you imagine).

Peers help. I also found out, this was a phase where naturally you feel like isolating yourself from everyone and everything; but limited and regulated social interaction is extremely helpful. Saying no and putting boundaries will define the clarity of thoughts. I've enjoyed spending time in the POLIS PhD suite - just because, once in a while, when I see my friends - we exchange smiles or frowns that communicate volumes. I've also found it empowering to learn that 90% of our challenges and struggles were similar - and just talking it over a coffee or having lunch together makes us understand that none of us are stuck in a maze too.

After writing my first full draft - I was physically tired to even get up for more than a week. I later understood this was natural. Adrenal fatigue can happen; but knowing that it can and that's okay makes you far less vulnerable and open to build yourself up again cheerfully 🙂

Submission of Thesis and Defence

Not there yet - on my way 😅

[Disclaimer: PhD journey for every student is different - all what I shared above are personal views and experiences, and cannot be generalised or re-published (even an excerpt or quote) without permission]