PhD candidate Sinéad is a Europaeum Scholar: ‘There’s no other programme quite like this’
Sinéad Mulcahy recently started the Europaeum Scholars Programme, a two-year policy and leadership course for a group of thirty talented and committed PhD candidates from universities across Europe. She is already enthusiastic – both about the programme and her fellow scholars. ‘I would like to bring those interdisciplinary skills and perspectives back to Leiden.’
Hi Sinéad, congratulations on being selected as scholar! What made you apply?
‘I am a PhD candidate at the Europa Institute of Leiden University, where I’m exploring the notion of European sovereignty. I am conducting case-studies in specific EU policy fields, as well as looking at the evolution of the Union itself over time. The content of the programme felt a perfect match. The opportunity to meet and engage with other PhD candidates working on varied topics and in different disciplines from all across Europe also attracted me.’
How has the experience been so far?
‘It’s still early days, but already I feel incredibly lucky to be part of this cohort! Over the next two years, we’ll take part in eight modules set in different European cities. Our first module in Oxford included presentations from leading thinkers on European policy-making and politics, on the big issues in Europe today, like the war in Ukraine and the energy crisis, as well as presentations from different charity leaders. While originally I was most excited for the presentations on macro level politics – which indeed were stimulating – I found the charity leaders’ stories of perseverance incredibly inspiring and moving. I realized that true leadership exists on all different levels and within different contexts, and is not exclusive to, for example, prominent politicians or business CEOs. We had ample opportunity for discussions with the presenters, as well as our fellow scholars. Everyone is highly motivated, enthusiastic, and open towards one another. During our free time, we often found ourselves still discussing the issues of the working sessions at great length.’
‘This programme allows us to meet and engage with other PhD candidates working on varied topics and in different disciplines from all across Europe'
What do you hope to learn?
‘The notion of leadership – the qualities, skills, but also personal values that may be relevant – is something I am looking forward to discussing and reflecting on further. I am also looking forward to getting insights into specific policy issues. As a researcher, it will be beneficial for me to see how law and policies actually operate in practice. From a personal perspective, I hope to broaden my horizons and make myself aware of any biases or assumptions that I might be working with. Coming from an instinctively positive viewpoint of the EU and of deepening integration, it was eye-opening to already be challenged a bit in Oxford by scholars who are working on more everyday societal issues – for example, about where the Union’s priorities should lie.’
And how do you think this programme will benefit you as a researcher?
‘The group project will be an opportunity to learn a lot in terms of working in an interdisciplinary team. Being a legal researcher can be quite a solitary position, so it is great to develop my teamwork skills. I think it’s really valuable to be engaged with people from other universities, so I would like to bring all those interdisciplinary skills and perspectives back to Leiden, and incorporate them into our everyday work here. I also hope that in the future, there will be opportunities to work on different research projects with the other scholars. Also, the Programme encourages us to be able to connect academic research to policy making. A major gain from this programme is that you build connections on both a professional and personal level.’
What are you looking forward to the most?
‘All the opportunities for stimulating conversations with the other scholars. I don’t think I have ever been in a group where there’s such a balanced and nuanced dynamic. Our penultimate meeting will take place in a relatively remote part of Finland, at a time when we’ll be quite deep into finalizing our group projects. The setting sounds ideal to me: a group of enthusiastic academics out in the wilderness, with lots of space and time to really dive deeply into those debates. I can’t wait.’
‘Being a legal researcher can be a solitary position, so it's great to develop my teamwork skills’
Has anything surprised you so far?
‘Since we’re all social science PhDs who want to work on making Europe a better place, I had imagined our discussions would mostly be agreement and consensus. But once we dove into issues on a more granular level, there was much more disagreement than I had expected. I think it was a good reminder that some debate is actually very valuable. If you have immediate consensus, your solution is never going to be optimal. That was a big takeaway for me.’
Lastly, any advice for PhD candidates who are considering applying in the future?
‘Don’t be discouraged to apply if you think “oh, but I’m hardly a future leader of Europe”. I can imagine that’s a reservation people might have, but again, know that good leadership is needed on all levels. So definitely go for it! I don’t think there’s another programme quite like this.’
The Europaeum Scholars Programme
A network of eighteen leading European universities, connecting students across disciplines, cultures and countries: that’s the Europaeum. Its flagship Scholars Programme is a two-year policy and leadership course for a group of up to 36 talented, energetic and committed PhD candidates. Alongside their doctorate they’ll take part in eight intensive modules in universities across Europe. The modules include seminars, debates and workshops with leading academics and practitioners, professional skills training and substantial teamwork. Over the two years, scholars work in small multidisciplinary groups designing and conducting a project to “make Europe a better place”.
Do you see yourself as a future Europaeum Scholar? Then be sure to keep an eye on the application page.
Banner photo: The Europaeum