Charting New Horizons: Hanna Chidwick’s Journey as McMaster University’s First Global Health PhD Graduate
Dr. Hanna Chidwick completed her PhD in Global Health in December of 2023, being the first graduate of the Global Health cohort! Her research primarily focused on exploring a possible imagined future for global health in terms of adolescent sexual and reproductive health in East Africa, knowledge justice, community driven approaches, and reflexivity. In this interview, Dr. Sujane Kandasamy and Dr. Chidwick discuss her research interests, experiences with the Global Health PhD program (and a PhD in general), addressing challenges faced, navigating student-supervisor relationships, and helpful tips/advice for current and future students. Dr. Chidwick embarked on an unexpected journey from a background in Global Development Studies. Her experiences and insights provide a unique perspective on the challenges and triumphs inherent in pursuing a PhD, particularly during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic. See below for more about this wonderful interview!
Research and Experiences: Dr. Chidwick’s doctoral research delved into the critical intersection of a possible future for global health and what that might involve in relation to adolescent sexual and reproductive health (and Canadian funding for this work) in East Africa. The inequities exposed by the pandemic became a determining factor in her PhD journey, leading her to critically examine the global health system, advocate for its change, and explore the potential of re-historicizing and re-politicizing global health,
Addressing Challenges: Acknowledging pragmatic factors such as ethical considerations and the challenges of conducting research abroad, Dr. Chidwick emphasized the importance of building relationships and establishing trust rather than engaging solely in extractive data practices. Her commitment to navigating these challenges amidst the pandemic reflects her dedication to meaningful and ethical research practices.
Navigating Complexities in Global Health: Dr. Chidwick’s work raised fundamental questions about the nature of global health, challenging assumptions and prompting a reevaluation of its colonial legacy. Her defense, held on December 1st, 2023, sparked discussions on defining global health and understanding the impact of colonialization on research practices. The complexities unveiled during her PhD journey emphasized the evolving nature of the field.
Supervisor Relationships and Advice: Having experienced the intricate dynamics of a PhD firsthand, Hanna offers valuable advice to current students. She underscores the pivotal role of supervisors and the need for aligned values. Encouraging transparency in power dynamics and fostering open communication, Hanna emphasizes the impact of these relationships on the overall PhD experience.
Looking Ahead: As the first PhD graduate, Hanna’s journey doesn’t end with her defense. She is set to embark on a post-doctoral project at McMaster (Health, Society and Aging) this January, focusing on health and economic resilience amongst adolescent girls in small-scale mining communities in Uganda and Ghana. Her future endeavors exemplify her commitment to equitable and dignity-based research.
Recognizing Privilege and Advocacy: Despite her achievements, Hanna remains cognizant of her privilege as a Canadian citizen (which provides access to travel to many countries without a visa) with full support from local family and friends. She highlights the structural advantages that facilitated her success, emphasizing the need for acknowledging and addressing disparities in academia.
Conclusion: Dr. Chidwick’s PhD journey serves as a source of inspiration for current and aspiring researchers. Her commitment to ethical research, advocacy for systemic change, disruption of current structures, and recognition of privilege provide a roadmap for navigating the complex landscape of global health academia.
Global Health News
Related News
News Listing
Daily News ➚
A win for Canadian research: Ottawa boosts funding for graduate students, research grants
Global Health News
April 22, 2024
McMaster University Formalizes Partnership with University of Alabama at Birmingham
Global Health News
March 28, 2024
March 4, 2024