Magalí Brosio – PhD Law

Magali Brosio returned to university education to study for a Law PhD after working for civil society and inter-governmental organisations. We find out more about her experience as a researcher at the University of Birmingham.

Why did you choose to study a PhD in Law?

Interestingly, my background is actually in Economics, not in Law. After finishing my master´s degree, I spent some years working for various civil society and inter-governmental organisations, doing research on feminist economics. I then realised that I wanted to go back to school and continue this line of inquiry within an academic environment, but I felt that most Economics programmes were not a good fit for the kind of work that I wanted to do. In this scenario, Law emerged as a stimulating alternative, since I believe there are many unexplored synergies at the intersection between these two disciplines (Economics and Law). I hope my research contributes to building some bridges.

Why did you choose to undertake research at the University of Birmingham?

While I knew I wanted to take an interdisciplinary approach to my research, I quickly realised that few universities were open to this or offered programmes that encouraged it. However, I found in the Birmingham Law School (BLS) a department willing to support me in my interdisciplinary journey (my co-supervisor is based at the International Development Departments, and many other PGRs also have a cross-departmental supervisory team), valuing my background and skills (which are logically different from the typical Law student) and stimulating me to take up new challenges.

What are the best things about your course?

Changing your disciplinary field can feel very intimidating, but at BLS, I found students and faculty members with diverse backgrounds and interests, who have helped me grow both as a researcher and as a person.

The Postgraduate Research community is very active, we have tried to find ways to stay in touch with each other and provide peer-to-peer support during the past months, which have been extremely difficult for most of us, especially for those who joined more recently and have not been able to meet others in person yet. And for every idea we have come up with, we have found nothing but support and encouragement from faculty members and university staff, who are always there asking “how can we help?"

What is life like as a researcher at the University of Birmingham?

Whenever possible, I try to work on campus: I have an allocated desk in an office at Frankland building that is quiet enough to enable me to work productively throughout the day. Being on campus is also quite convenient, as it allows me to go to the library or use the printer if I need to, as well as taking lunch or coffee breaks outside (if the weather allows!) and catch up with my colleagues.

Although in-person activities have been suspended for the past months, I have managed to continue doing a lot of inspiring activities that are part of every researcher agenda, including organising and presenting at conferences, as well as attending department seminars and workshops.

What support have you received during your PhD?

First and foremost, I would not be able to pursue a PhD without the financial support that I have received from the University of Birmingham through the Global Challenges Scholarship scheme.

Throughout this journey, I have received unparalleled support from my supervisors, especially during the pandemic. Likewise, Library services have been incredible, ensuring that we all had any book that we might need available at a time we could not access campus, and IT has helped me set up my workstation correctly, so I can make the most out of it.

All in all, I can say I have received enough support to be able to focus exclusively on my research, which I’m truly grateful for.

Outside of your research, what experience have you gained and how will it help you in the future?

I’m trying to make the most out of my time at UoB, and although I think I have made good use of all the resources available… I always find new things to take advantage of!

Just to name a few, since my background is in Economics, most of my experience is in quantitative research. Hence, one of the first things I did when I started the programme, was signing up for the module “Foundations in qualitative research”, which I would highly recommend. There, I learned about different data collection methods (ranging from interviews and focus groups to ethnography and archive research) as well as different analytical approaches to qualitative data. I then complemented the module with some digital skills, attending a workshop hosted by Library Services where I learnt how to use NVivo (a qualitative data analysis software, also provided by UoB). Finally, I was able to apply this knowledge, conducting interviews and analysing the emerging data as a research assistant for a project led by the Centre for Professional Legal Education and Research (CEPLER) here at BLS.

Another example could be all the teaching skills I gained through the multiple modules offered by the Higher Education Futures institute (HEFi). I also attended a training workshop on Inclusive Facilitation Training for Global Research Project organised by the Institute for Global Innovation. Now I feel more than ready to put my teaching skills into practice, and fortunately, I will be able to try all of what I have learned next semester when I will have the opportunity to be a Postgraduate Teaching Assistant.

Postgraduate research opportunities in Law.