Sangu Julius Delle – PhD African Studies and Anthropology

PhD African Studies and Anthropology student, Sangu Delle, says Department is an "environment of non-stop learning and exciting intellectual stimulation". We found out more about his experience as a researcher at the University of Birmingham.

Why did you choose to study a PhD in African Studies?

My undergraduate academic experience at Harvard College was an inter-disciplinary problem solving centred education, in which I did not acquire knowledge in the abstract, but learned with synthesis and practical application at the forefront. This originated from two courses that changed my life. One was the introduction to African and African-American studies, where we examined canonical texts of the African American intellectual tradition and explored a wide range of scholars including Du Bois, Baldwin, Walker, Douglass, Morrison, Malcolm X and Wilson. I had the opportunity to explore key texts and issues in African American studies from a range of disciplinary perspectives with various faculty and guest speakers giving lectures.

The second course was the introduction to African languages. In this amazing course, I learned about how Africans use language not just as a means of communicating with one another, but as a medium to organize and transmit indigenous knowledge from one generation to another. Thus, language serves as a lens to understanding how social, political and economic institutions and processes develop.

Inspired by this multi-disciplinary approach to learning, I switched my major from Economics to African Studies, where I could integrate my love for history, economics, literature, and even science, to focus on the development of the continent I so deeply love. So, in many ways, getting a PhD in African Studies is a natural return to my academic home.

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

I decided to pursue my PhD at the University of Birmingham because it is a place of academic excellence, with unparalleled resources to support scholarship and research. I was drawn by the fact that Birmingham is a truly global university, home to over 5,000 international students from over 150 countries. For my particular scholarship and interest in female technology entrepreneurs, I cannot think of a better academic institution for my research. The University of Birmingham has been producing scholarship in African Studies since the 1960s and has built a world class department with renowned scholars.

What are the best things about your course?

Two things stand out for me. The first is the flexibility and the structure of the PhD at Birmingham. It allowed me to pursue my doctoral studies remotely and part-time while juggling a full-time job. Secondly and most importantly – the faculty. I have had the incredible fortune of being supervised by Dr Kate Skinner, Dr Maxim Bolt and Dr Marco Di Nunzio. Beyond their brilliance and commitment to their students, my supervisors care deeply and are very kind. During my 6th year, and amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, I struggled with depression and anxiety. My supervisors overwhelmed with love, care and support. And with their patience and kindness, I was able to successfully finish my dissertation and I will be submitting it for examination very soon!

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

Surrounded by brilliant faculty, engaged students and world-class library resources, life as a researcher at the University of Birmingham is a rare privilege to be immersed in an environment of non-stop learning and exciting intellectual stimulation.

What support have you received during your PhD?

I have received so much support, both material, emotional and academic. I am very grateful to the College of Arts and Law for the scholarship which helped fund my studies. I am grateful to the library staff and the IT staff who have been so helpful to me while conducting my research remotely. And of course, eternally grateful to my supervisors for their mentorship, leadership and example of profound human decency and kindness.

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

While I am very proud of my research project, the greatest lessons I have learned from Birmingham has been from my supervisors. Academia can be a cold, dark, insular, and unforgiving space. However, my supervisors have taught me that with brilliance and kindness, gentleness and patience, one can bring rays of sunshine and warmth into this space and act as agents of upliftment, inspiration and connection. For that, I am forever grateful and indebted, and I will pay it forward to my future mentees and supervisees.