PhD in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies

The Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at Cambridge provided a rich environment to conduct my doctoral research. The training and guidance offered by my supervisor, alongside the general support of the faculty and librarians, has prepared me to pursue an academic career. Thanks to FAMES, I also had the opportunity to participate in the organisation of a weekly seminar series, host a conference, travel for research, and receive feedback on written work at work-in-progress seminars. I could not have asked for a better research environment, and I am incredibly grateful to FAMES for helping me set and achieve my academic goals throughout the PhD.

Gabrielle Russo (PhD, 2025), (May. 1, 2026)

Upon completing a PhD in Japanese Studies at Cambridge, you will have gained far more than a credential. The opportunities in Cambridge to explore one’s discipline and engage with the staff, students, and supporters of Japanese Studies are numerous, giving each doctoral candidate the opportunity to grow into a well-rounded, proactive, and resourceful scholar. But the programme also opens doors in Japan and beyond; I was lucky enough to spend a year in Japan with the leading scholars in my field and build a relationship with the descendants of the daimyo house I wrote my thesis on, all thanks to the programme and strong support of my supervisor. Whilst the academic job market is as tough as it’s ever been, Cambridge will indubitably forge you into the best candidate possible, and the achievements of both our staff and alumni bear this out.

Andrew D. H. Fischer, (Sep. 1, 2025)

My experience of graduate studies at FAMES was one of independent exploration and boundless research. At FAMES, I was provided with the tools to address my research needs and given the resources and opportunities to follow even the thinnest threads to remote field sites or to present at conferences around the world. Life at the faculty proved insightful in many ways – from attending classes and seminars, through teaching and supervising, to social events and interactions with students all sharing a passion for Asian studies. Open-minded students who are curious about and inspired by people, societies, and civilisations will find a happy home at FAMES.

Ilay Golan, (Sep. 1, 2025)

One hears as many responses about the experience of writing a PhD as there are students they ask, but certain themes are constant: it can be isolating, it can feel overwhelming, it can feel lonely. I remember that when I was applying and contemplating coming to Cambridge I visited for a lecture with my friend, and even for that couple of hours I saw an academic community that I had a gut instinct that it could help me through four years of hard work. I am very happy to say that it exceeded my expectations. The fellows foster a collegiate, stimulating, and often fun atmosphere; we are well looked after and encouraged to look after those who join after us. There was plenty of opportunity for me to improve my language skills and to sit in on a number of courses that allowed me to learn broadly even as I honed in on my niche specialism, and having now come out the other side into a competitive job market, I feel about as well prepared as I could be, and very grateful to the department for having accepted my application and supported me throughout

John Donegan-Cross, (Sep. 1, 2025)

I am deeply grateful for the intellectual breadth and academic support I received during my PhD in Chinese Studies at Cambridge. One of the most rewarding aspects of the programme was its interdisciplinary orientation. The faculty encouraged us to engage with research and seminars across a wide range of disciplines, allowing me to attend lectures well beyond my immediate research area. This not only broadened my academic horizons but also enriched my own work by introducing new theoretical and methodological approaches.

The collegial atmosphere within the department was another key strength. The small cohort size fostered a strong sense of community, enabling meaningful discussion, peer support, and mutual learning. I was especially fortunate to have an exceptionally dedicated supervisor, whose guidance was instrumental throughout my PhD journey. Her attentive mentorship, intellectual generosity, and consistent encouragement—both academic and personal—enabled me to develop my work to a standard I could not have achieved alone. I remain profoundly appreciative of the rigour, support, and collaborative spirit that defined my experience at Cambridge.

Jingyi Veronica Wang, (Apr. 2, 2025)

My experience doing a PhD at the University of Cambridge was uniformly positive, despite the difficulties caused by lockdowns in the UK.  My supervisor gave me a constant stream of wise and timely advice;  other tutors from the department were equally generous with their time;  and the framework provided by the University was helpful—for instance, the required submissions at the end of my first two years were rigorous enough to be of value to my studies but not sufficiently time-consuming to interfere with work on the PhD itself.  The University’s flexibility was particularly helpful for me in that I suffered from poor health during my PhD, which the University helpfully made provisions to accommodate.

James Bejon, (Apr. 1, 2025)

My time as a PhD student at the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at Cambridge, under the supervision of Professor Andrew Marsham, was both intellectually enriching and personally transformative. The faculty provided an incredibly supportive environment, not only for academic research but also for professional growth. I was given the freedom to explore my ideas, access to world-class resources, and the opportunity to engage with leading scholars in my field. These experiences shaped me into a more confident, independent researcher and laid a strong foundation for my future career.

Aliya A Ali, (Mar. 28, 2025)