Shaheen Hosany

“After completing my MSc in International Marketing at the University of Surrey in 2002, I was always ambitious to pursue a PhD. However, I was privileged enough to be offered a position at Procter and Gamble. After several years of solid work experience, I felt the time was right for me to embark on this journey.

As an alumni, Surrey was always going to be my first choice for further studies. My research is cross disciplinary, so between Surrey Business School and the School of Psychology, I found the perfect supervisory team. I opted for the publication route so by the end of my PhD, I expect to produce three solid papers. Such an accomplishment will strongly enhance my chances of securing a research position in academia.  

Overall, I have found my first year to be very fulfilling. I attended several taught courses and learnt extensively about marketing theory, philosophy of research in social sciences, and qualitative and quantitative methods. Such knowledge provides the basis for a well-rounded academic. I also had the opportunity to engage in very lively class debates and I improved my writing skills. In my first year, I attended several workshops and conferences around the country, which gave me the chance to interact with other researchers working on similar topics.

"The researcher café every week offers a unique opportunity for students to come together socially. It’s a good opportunity to share problems and discuss solutions with other researchers in a friendly and relaxed environment over tea and biscuits." 

The University also organises several research seminars throughout the year and encourages cross-disciplinary research. Very often we have guest speakers who come in from other universities to present their work and foster collaboration.

My proudest moment so far is the fact I was able to further my studies after several years in industry, and a brief sabbatical as a full-time mum. Managing the challenges of being a mum while seeking new knowledge has been very fulfilling. So far, my first year back at Surrey has been amazing. The course organisation has been commendable, the staff have been helpful, the facilities are outstanding and students are amiable. I strongly recommend a PhD degree at the University of Surrey.”

Discover more about our courses in business, marketing and management, including our PhD Management and Business.