Student spotlights

There is a thriving community of postgraduate researchers at Manchester working on many aspects of the Americas.

Below several of our students reflect on the ways in which the University has helped to support their research: through its unique archival collections, funding opportunities, partnerships with neighbouring cultural institutions, and our efforts to encourage interdisciplinary research.

Emily McGowan, BA in American Studies

I chose to study this course as it encompasses so many different disciplines and allows me to expand my knowledge in many areas. I love history and politics, and this course allowed me to learn both with a focus on America. I also have gained an appreciation for disciplines that I didn’t even know I was interested in, such as American Film and Literature. I knew that I didn’t want to be limited to just one topic in my studies, so this course has been perfect for me. In addition, the thing that most drew me to this course was the opportunity to study abroad in America for a year.

This opportunity is just not something that comes along very often and I knew it would be such an amazing experience and make my time as an undergraduate even more special. I learnt very little American history and politics in my school years, but it has always been something that has interested me, so this course was the standout choice.

Xavi Goodall, BA in American Studies

As a student who has always had varied interests in English, history, politics, and a range of other subjects, an interdisciplinary degree like American Studies seemed as though it would be a good fit for me. That has proved true since, allowing me to combine my academic interests rather than just developing knowledge on them individually. I did complete a year abroad at Rutgers University in New Jersey.

My study abroad year was the most remarkable experience of my life. As an experience in being invested in another culture, getting to experience education in another setting, and meeting international people were very rewarding experiences. I travelled alone in the US with the last month or so remaining on my Visa, which was also a fantastic experience and a huge advantage of studying abroad.

Natalie Armitage, PhD in American Studies

The nature of my research seeks to examine the origin and nature of a misappropriated popular culture trope, and consequently requires a breadth of investigation into a wide range of sources and academic approaches; incorporating aspects of history, material culture, constructions of race and religious identity and popular culture studies.

I have always taken an interdisciplinary approach to academic study, and was pleased to find an MA course that reaffirmed this outlook. As I looked to carry on to a PhD I was not only able to shift disciplines, from Art History to American Studies, but also had the opportunity to choose appropriate panel members for my project from across the School of Arts, History and Cultures. My panel now includes members from American Studies, Archaeology, and History. In addition, the artefacts and materials held at the Manchester Museum have also proven invaluable in my doctoral research on the voodoo doll.