WHERE ARE YOU AT THE MOMENT? 

I am currently a postdoctoral researcher at the Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research which is based in the Department of Land Economy at the University of Cambridge.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR TIME AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE

 I got to know about the University of Cambridge because some of the lecturers who taught me during my undergraduate degree had studied in the Department of Land Economy in Cambridge, and sometimes reminisced on their Cambridge experience during lectures. I was determined to also come to Cambridge and witness things for myself and that’s why I ended up here. I guess at the time, the ‘Cambridge’ experience mattered more to me than even the qualification I was going to obtain. I guess they were right after all. My student days in Cambridge were memorable. I was privileged to have served as the Secretary, Vice President and Seminar Convenor to the Cambridge University Ghanaian Society. I was also a member of the Wikipedia Society at Cambridge University. In terms of honours, twice in a row (2018 and 2019), my presentation was adjudged the best in the Department of Land Economy Early Career Researchers’ Conference. 

TELL US ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE SINCE LEAVING THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE

I am currently a postdoctoral researcher at the Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research which is based in the Department of Land Economy at the University of Cambridge. I interviewed for this job in July 2019 whiles I was still writing up my thesis and during the interview, I was asked how soon I expected to hand in my thesis. Although a date was set, I thought it would require a miracle to finish on schedule but five weeks after starting work, I handed in my thesis.

I couldn’t have achieved this feat without my supervisors who read chapters of my thesis and offered helpful feedback in a short space of time. What I have learnt from this experience is to never underestimate what you can achieve once you put your mind and heart to something.

ALUMNI WISDOM (what can you tell current Cambridge-Africa PhD scholars)

Three months after I started the PhD, my wife delivered our baby girl and it was a frightening and quite an uncertain period in my life. I had no clue how I was going to complete my first year report while taking care of a new baby. There was however immense support from my church, fellow Ghanaian students, my PhD supervisor (Professor Peter Tyler) and later my mother-in-law. Although the first year was extremely difficult and sometimes left me with doubts over my competence to pursue a PhD, I trusted in the providence of God and constantly reminded myself that I have always stood out in every academic pursuit I have embarked on, and the PhD wasn’t going to be different. I soon realised that being a father made me better appreciate how valuable my time was. So my advice to African scholars starting their PhDs are as follows: Always believe in yourself even when everyone is in doubt; forge a rich social network with people and groups and leverage on your social capital when needed; develop a consistent work pattern and work ethic and keep to it; be extremely selective of your social engagements and read as much as you can.

Publications 

 ‘Built environment of Britain in 2040: Scenarios and strategies’

 ‘Housing transformation, rent gap and gentrification in Ghana’s traditional houses: Insights from compound houses in Bantama’

 ‘Exploring the financial implications of Advance Rent payment and induced furnishing of rental housing in Ghanaian cities: The case of Dansoman, Ghana ‘

 “Walls within walls: examining the variegated purposes for walling in Ghanaian gated communities'

 ‘Ex-Post Analysis of Land Title Registration in Ghana since the 2008 merger: The New Lands Commission in Perspective’

 ‘Four Futures, One Choice: Options for the digital built Britain of 2040. eBook by the Centre for Digital Built Britain’

WHERE ARE YOU AT THE MOMENT? 

TELL US ABOUT YOUR TIME AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE

I spent my childhood in Ile Ife, a university town in the hinterland of southwestern Nigeria, regarded as the sacred homeland of the Yoruba people. Apart from the occasional festivals and students' activities, Ile Ife was a sleepy town for the most part of the year. Although I did not appreciate it at the time, in later years, having lived in more densely populated and noisy areas, I began to appreciate and seek out tranquil places.

After secondary school, I moved to the city of Ibadan for my undergraduate degree in History. I got a scholarship to go to Geneva, Switzerland for my Masters. I applied to Cambridge for a PhD in History and got a conditional offer. I had to wait for a “very long” period of 4 months before that fateful day when I got the email confirming that I had been awarded a Cambridge-Africa Scholarship. The rest, as they say, is history.

Many aspects of my Cambridge experience were memorable. I worked on a research topic that I truly love, joined a few societies, and met people from all walks of life.

One moment stands out. When I first arrived in Cambridge, I thought that I would focus exclusively on my research and get my dissertation finished as quickly as possible. The “mistake” I made was to attend the Freshers’ Fair where more than 600 students’ societies promoted their initiatives. I joined some societies involved in projects that aligned with my interests in Nigerian and African development. In fact, the highlight of my first year was the African Society of Cambridge University’s Africa Together conference, which I organized together with an amazing team. Some of my ASCU teammates have now become close friends. I am not sure that I would have had a good time in Cambridge if I had not found this community of like minds in my first year.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE SINCE LEAVING THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE

 I have always wanted to be a professor that is actively engaged in research that addresses African priorities. For instance, my PhD research examined multiple ways in which electricity has been a cause and effect of socioeconomic change in Nigeria. I am grateful that I am now on the path to achieving my dream. I got an academic position just before I submitted my PhD dissertation and got my current job not long after.

ALUMNI WISDOM (what can you tell current Cambridge-Africa PhD scholars)

 It is often said that the PhD is a lonely journey. This is certainly not true in my case. I will strongly encourage incoming and current scholars to build their own community of care. I will also urge current scholars to take responsibility for their own learning. There are amazing opportunities to develop new skills and to participate in the academic and social life in Cambridge.

Publications