Heather Mitcheltree, (May. 18, 2026)I feel very fortunate to have been able to complete my PhD at Cambridge University. My time at the Department of Architecture has been an incredibly rewarding experience. The staff and my fellow students helped foster a welcoming, inclusive, and intellectually stimulating environment. The genuinely collegiate atmosphere, support, and delight in shared learning are something that I have greatly valued.
My supervisor, Professor Minna Sunikka-Blank was an invaluable source of support and guidance. I very much appreciated her patient and warm demeanour, as well as her prompt and detailed feedback. Minna’s generosity with her time, approachability, and ability to provide insightful feedback in an honest and encouraging manner made me feel supported every step of the way through my PhD. Her professionalism and intellectual calibre were emblematic of the Department as a whole, and the commitment to supporting student academic growth, research excellence, and personal well-being.
The range of activities, seminars, research labs, and opportunities for research collaborations within the Department of Architecture fosters a strong sense of connection with the student cohort, staff, and the broader University community, and enables students to build extended research and industry networks globally. As a member of the Behaviour and Building Performance research group and NeuroCīvitās, I greatly valued the ability to work alongside world-leading experts and collaborate on a range of interdisciplinary research projects. The celebration of knowledge and collegiate support within the Department of Architecture, as well as across the University of Cambridge more broadly, has been a source of inspiration and genuine joy throughout my time at Cambridge, and has helped foster enduring friendships and connections.
Maoran Sun, (May. 6, 2026)During my PhD in Architecture at Cambridge, I have been able to develop my research within an exceptionally supportive and intellectually rich environment. My work sits at the intersection of architecture, urban data science, environmental justice, and AI, and the Department has given me the freedom and resources to pursue this interdisciplinary direction with confidence.
A particularly important part of my experience has been the close supervision and mentorship of Professor Ronita Bardhan. Her guidance has helped me shape my research questions, strengthen my methodological approach, and situate my work within broader debates on climate, housing, and social equity. Beyond regular supervision, I have also benefited from a research culture that encourages collaboration across the University. Through my PhD, I have had opportunities to work with colleagues in the Institute of Astronomy and to teach in the Department of Computer Science and Technology, which has greatly expanded the scope of my academic training.
The Department and University have also provided valuable practical support. Travel funds and research funds have enabled me to attend conferences, conduct research, and build international networks. Cambridge’s training opportunities, including media training, public engagement programmes, and technical workshops, have further helped me grow as a researcher who can communicate with both academic and public audiences.
What makes Cambridge especially distinctive is its culture of intellectual exchange. Lectures, seminars, college events, and informal conversations bring together people from many disciplines and backgrounds. This has made my PhD experience not only academically rigorous, but also deeply inspiring. For anyone wishing to pursue research at the forefront of architecture, technology, and society, the Department of Architecture at Cambridge offers an outstanding environment in which to grow.