Ep. 217: Dr. Mikal Woldu on Switching Academic Supervisors & Redefining Pan-Africanism
PhD in Social Anthropology SOAS, University of LondonDr. Mikal Woldu
In this episode of Cohort Sistas, the podcast, we speak with Dr. Mikal Woldu, who received her Ph.D. in Social Anthropology from SOAS University of London. Dr. Woldu is of Eritrean heritage and grew up in Italy before moving to London. This migratory pattern both shaped her personal life and informed her research questions, primarily dealing with the practices and attitudes of second-generation Africans in the Diaspora. During our conversation with Dr. Woldu, we discuss how just one person in her Master’s program convinced her to enroll in graduate school, why her research is so much more extensive than just her, and how she advocated for and switched her academic supervisor partway through her doctoral program. She talks about her post-doc project and how they are redefining Pan-Africanism. Dr. Woldu gives incredibly insightful advice regarding the Ph.D. journey and leaves listeners encouraged. Tune in for this insightful conversation with Dr. Woldu!
Key Points From This Episode:
• An introduction to Dr. Mikal Woldu!
• How her lived experiences as an Eritrean, living first in Milan and then London, shaped her research.
• She provides context on her heritage and her experience being from the country of Eritrea.
• What drove her decision to pursue psychology and why she switched over to anthropology.
• How an academic mentor inspired her to consider doing her doctoral program.
• She shares her Ph.D. experience as a Black (immigrant) woman.
• The different motivations behind pursuing a Ph.D.
• Highlights and challenges of her Ph.D. program.
• She shares her negative experience with her first advisor.
• Advice to anyone wanting to do a Ph.D. and find a supportive advisor: you are paying for a service!
• More about her post-doc and what she has been doing in between her Ph.D. and post-doc.
• Dr. Woldu elaborates on the launching of the Pan-African center at SOAS University.
• Two wrap-up questions for Dr. Woldu.
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The Cohort Sistas Podcast brings to life the stories, struggles, and successes of Black women and femmes with doctoral degrees and their lives beyond the degree. If you are a Black woman or non-binary scholar looking for resources, mentorship, and support along your doctoral journey, join the Cohort Sistas community. If you are looking for more information on how to support or partner with Cohort Sistas, please visit our partnerships page. Find us on Twitter and Instagram, and don’t forget to follow The Cohort Sistas Podcast, rate the show, and leave us a quick review.
