Aleksandra Ianchenko: I learnt that artists can do a PhD. This made me believe that I could do a it too
Aleksandra Ianchenko, a doctoral student at Tallinn University School of Humanities, defended her doctoral thesis about art in and of public transportation on 12. November. Reflecting on her studies, she highlights the importance of taking care of one's mental and physical health.
Why did you choose to pursue a PhD?
At some point, I learnt about practice-based PhD or that practising artists can do a PhD. This made me believe that I could do a it too. I also learnt about the studies of mobilities, a field which explores public transport as a social rather than technical matter as well as has interest in artistic methods. I got so excited that I simply emailed the Centre for Mobilities Research at Lancaster University and introduced myself and my art projects about public transport. They kindly replied and put me in a newsletter. Finally, through this newsletter, I came across the call for a PhD position from PUTSPACE. This is how my journey began.
What strategies did you use to consistently work on your doctoral thesis and successfully reach completion?
Doing a PhD is as exciting as challenging. I have been lucky with the support from my supervisors, colleagues and fellow PhDs. It helps greatly and I wish every student can have it. Also, I like my topic very much and it helped to keep my interest throughout the process. What is also important is to take care of mental and physical health - do exercise, take holidays and breaks, spend time with friends, and have hobbies. It sounds simple but it is really important.