Why did you decide to embark on a PhD?
After finishing my Masters degree with distinction in the UK, I first worked with various expert researchers of banking and finance at a London research centre. I quickly discovered my passion and potential for quantitatively intensive research and working with intellectuals in a university environment. It was the PhD scholarship that gave me this opportunity to dedicate time to a field that I am really passionate about. Having worked with experienced researchers, I developed good econometric and analytical skills, coupled with a sincere desire for innovative research ideas, all of which motivated me to pursue a PhD degree.
What is your research about and have you published any of your work yet?
My project is entitled "Essays on Bank Profitability, Stability and Efficiency: The Impact of Financial Inclusion and Bank Competition". As existing work fails to address how an inclusive financial sector effects banking stability and efficiency at the bank level, I decided to focus my research on this issue, drawing on bank and country-level data collected from various sources internationally. One of my papers is under review and I’m currently working on transforming my thesis chapters into journal articles. Since publishing in top journals requires time and good guidance from expert academics, as a budding researcher I am fortunate to have such experts all-around in our school.
How would you describe a typical week as a research student?
Irrespective of semester, a typical week of a PhD researcher involves undertaking independent research, attending a range of required research training courses and seminars, reading a ton of articles and most importantly managing time effectively. Once you start it is hard to stop thinking, and thinking over and over again about the next step and how would you get your research done efficiently within the given amount of time. There is no such thing as a “9-to-5” in as a PhD student.
What would you say was the most challenging thing about studying for a PhD?
The most challenging task as a researcher is to identify the original contribution of research to the field, and then convincing a large audience about the wider implications of the output.
What do you plan to do on completing your studies?
A PhD is not just the end of the destination, it's the beginning of a greater journey which is actually impossible to stop or give it up. I will always be an active researcher, trying hard to generate ideas and contribute to the field I am most passionate about. After completion, I will try to embark a journey within academia and, if possible, get into consulting on research and financial inclusion.
Finally, how would you summarise your experience as a student in London?
For me London is exciting and has the strongest ability to connect people of different colour, creed, and culture providing a fertile ground for socialising, sagacity and job searching.
Find out more about the PhD programme at the School of Business and Management.