From statistics to science policy, public health and climate change, new PhD graduates are tackling some of society’s biggest challenges
By University Relations
Obtaining a PhD can sometimes be considered a daunting task because the voyage often seems endless. The path is not straight. The process is never quick. In fact, one can expect to encounter many challenges and setbacks. Challenges that push the boundaries of your imagination and intellect.
The goal is to find opportunities in those challenging moments because the result is massively rewarding. Upon completion of the dissertation defence — the culmination of years of hard work and research — candidates are congratulated for bringing new knowledge to our world.
Dr. Dilruba Fatima Sharmin completed her PhD in social and ecological sustainability. Her research explored the complex interplay between climate change and migration — an area that receives increasing attention globally.
“I had three main objectives: construct a comprehensive interdisciplinary framework for climate migration, assess how migration fits into climate adaptation, and understand how gender plays into migration choices,” she says.
Sharmin chose Waterloo to pursue her PhD, specifically for the opportunity to work with Dr. Roy Brouwer, a highly respected environmental economist whose work on the economics of climate change in Bangladesh she had long admired.
Over the years of her PhD journey, Sharmin’s fondest memory was her defense.
“Those joyful expressions, brimming with genuine admiration and excitement, meant more than just my personal success; it was a moment of shared achievement, reflecting the collective dedication and support that had gone into my research journey,” she recounts.
Sharmin’s advice to fellow PhD seekers is to embrace the journey filled with valuable learning. “I know it’s easier said than done, but stay resilient and curious in the face of challenges. Trust the process; it molds us into adaptable critical thinkers, ready to tackle complex challenges.”
Join us in celebrating and congratulating some of this year’s PhD graduands who will be crossing the stage at the 2023 Fall Convocation ceremonies.