I chose Sexuality and Gender Studies as I have always had an interest in the field and studied many modules related to it for my undergraduate degree in Spanish and Portuguese at UoB. The fact that it is a truly interdisciplinary area, including anything from post- colonial studies to transgender studies, really fascinates me. I wanted to expand my horizons further by taking a master’s that would help me learn and understand the theory to inform my analysis of gender and sexuality in non- English-speaking countries. For my thesis, I compare cinematic representations of the suppression of femininity and sexuality in the post- colonial contexts of the late 20th century socialist states in Mozambique and Cuba. I therefore feel it is important to shed light on a comparative and intersectional approach to gender and sexuality studies.

I also saw the MRes as an opportunity to carry out my research with people from a range of backgrounds and get input from people whose methodologies and disciplines are very varied. I thought the MRes would be the perfect stepping stone for me to evolve my understanding of what postgraduate research entails and achieve my goal of one day carrying out a PhD, this turned out to be correct.

The Modern Languages department at the University of Birmingham is the best place for me to carry out my research as the scholars within the department carry out research which is extremely pertinent to my proposed dissertation title. I knew that the expertise of my supervisor Dr Dos Santos on post- colonial Portuguese- speaking African countries and intersectionality in the Portuguese- speaking world would provide me with the environment to thrive academically. In addition, I was eager to add to research on gender and sexuality theory in the Hispanic world, which is carried out my other supervisor, Dr Lorraine Ryan.

My favourite aspect of my course it that is has always felt like a safe space for anyone and everyone. It is a supportive and welcoming environment to find your footing in what can, sometimes, be the daunting world of academia. Classes never felt like a chore as the discussion between peers was always respectful and enjoyable, and never too formal either.

The College of Arts and Law, often working alongside other colleges, is truly collaborative and interdisciplinary. It is a place where new ideas and perspectives are welcomed. With such a broad spectrum of research carried out by staff within the school of Languages, Cultures, Art History and Music, there is support for even the most niche research areas.

The course is laid out in a way that is easy to follow and all resources for the 11 weeks of each module were uploaded to canvas, our virtual learning environment, at the beginning of each semester. The research module and theories module also give a basis that helps the development of your thesis in the long run, everything is designed to help. My supervisors have also always made time in their busy schedules to help. They have been a pivotal part of helping guide my research in the right direction, while ensuring that I am never too overwhelmed with the work that goes into completing an MRes degree.

I have continued to train as part of the University of Birmingham Athletics club, one of the many extracurricular opportunities at UoB. As well as studying my MRes part time, I tutor children part time, the combination of doing both at the same time has really strengthened my teaching skills and has prepared me for how I would juggle teaching and researching during a possible future in academia. I also now have a deepened understanding of the impact that life experiences can have on your academic work, as well as a newfound appreciation of the importance of a work / life balance that will benefit me and my career in the long run.