The Division of Arts and Humanities is delighted to announce a number of new PhD completions. The following doctoral candidates have recently passed their vivas – a focused discussion giving students the opportunity to defend their PhD thesis in front of a panel of academic experts. Completing a thesis is a significant milestone, and we commend these researchers on their impressive achievement. Congratulations to our new Doctors!
School of Architecture and Planning
“The PhD research journey has proved to be a decisive step in my personal development, both humanly and academically. It disclosed me a whole range of new horizons, insights, and opportunities.”
School of English
Frances Reading’s thesis analyses the life and work of little-studied writer, Olive Garnett (1871–1958) and makes the case for reassessing her currently peripheral place in literary criticism. It contends that Garnett’s works are substantially more than mere footnotes to those of her better-known contemporaries. Garnett wrote with immediacy about a generation-defining moment in Russian history, with her short story collection, Petersburg Tales (1900) and novel, In Russia’s Night (1918) charting the trajectory of the collapse of Imperial Russia.
“I started my PhD in 2014 and had a break in the middle when I gave birth to my son. It has been an incredibly long, challenging and yet immeasurably rewarding road. I think I am still in a state of disbelief that I have actually submitted my PhD, let alone passed my viva.”
“The joy and relief I felt was amazing – I just hope I have done Olive Garnett’s legacy justice. I am entirely indebted to my wonderful, patient and encouraging supervisors and the incredibly supportive professional services team in the School of English.”
School of Philosphy
“Everyone always tells you that your viva is really fun because you get to talk about the work that consumed you for the last three years for a few hours with world leading experts, and they’re not wrong, but being fun doesn’t also mean it’s easy! In the end, I’m glad it wasn’t easy, though. I’d probably have felt half the relief and joy for half as long if it didn’t feel like I had to fight to earn it.”
School of Arts
Stefano Farinelli’s research sought to praise the original contribution of artists usually little considered by scholarship, the sixteenth-century sculptors Niccolò Tribolo and Silvio Cosini, who collaborated closely with Michelangelo on the execution of the Medici Chapel, Florence. To do this, it was necessary to partially subvert the widespread belief that Michelangelo was a versatile, solitary genius.
“I feared that the somewhat controversial spirit of the thesis would receive criticism and resistance during the viva. In reality, the discussion with the examiners was very helpful and encouraging. It was exciting to talk for over two hours about my work, especially after two years of pandemic and isolation.”
Further Information:
Kent Postgraduate Courses – Research Programmes: Postgraduate research develops your specialist knowledge in a specific field of study. Working closely with a senior academic, you conduct an original research project that could have a far-reaching impact on the global community. If you are looking to study a research degree at Kent, we recommend you choose a topic and identify an appropriate supervisor before you apply.