The financial assistance offered by a scholarship has been crucial to Seonaid Espiner achieving her doctorate.
“I finished my honours year with a thirst for the freedom to think and explore ideas of which I’d had a taster in my first year of postgraduate studies.“
Knowing that I wouldn’t be able to afford to continue studying without funding, I applied for the William Machin Scholarship and, to my surprise, I was extremely fortunate to be awarded one.”
The William Machin Doctoral Scholarships for Excellence support postgraduate study and research at Lincoln University. They are available to New Zealand citizens or permanent resident students for three years and offer $25,000 per annum.
“Receiving this scholarship is what has allowed meto undertake PhD study, which has been an immensely rewarding experience in terms of being able to explore and extend my knowledge and understanding in ways I couldn’t have anticipated,” Seonaid said.
“It is an immense privilege to take this time to be absorbed in fields which interest you, and to gain skills in writing and developing one’s own ways of understanding the area.
“Independent study has also taught me about ‘myself’, allowing me to critically examine my own thinking and research, develop my confidence, and gain skills in motivation/self-directed work.
“I would encourage anyone who is interested in carrying out research or developing their skills intellectually and academically to go for it, and consider applying for this scholarship,” she said.
Seonaid’s thesis was 'How Should We Live? A Study of Social Critical Theory, Feminist Utopianism, Anarchism and Eco-political Thought.'
You can find out more about the William Meeching scholarship and the many others available to Lincoln University students at www.lincoln.ac.nz//Study/Qualifications/Qualification/scholarships/.
The closing date for Lincoln University’s own scholarships, such as sport and future leaders is August 15. Apply now.