Ashwin's story: Pursuing graduate study

'If you had told me as a Fresher that I would still be in Cambridge three years later, studying for an MPhil, I would have laughed. I feel incredibly grateful to be staying for a fourth year – Emma is a very special place to me.

'Emma has always felt like home. I love its friendly atmosphere, its central location and its rich traditions. While there are clear advantages to moving elsewhere after finishing an undergraduate degree, I’ve come to value familiarity and continuity, especially as I take the next academic step. Emma offers that sense of stability, alongside an environment where I feel supported and inspired.

'My academic work focuses on uncovering the human experiences of people in the past and finding ways to make this research accessible beyond my immediate discipline. For my dissertation, I’m writing an emotional history of former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s premiership between 2007 and 2010. I examine how ideas of masculinity intersected with concepts such as anger and emotional intelligence, exploring how Brown sought to project himself to the electorate. Alongside this, I analyse how British newspapers, political opponents and the wider media aimed to portray him. This kind of analysis has not been attempted before, which makes the project both exciting and, at times, daunting.

'Being named this year’s Fleming Studentship recipient means everything to me. I was thrilled and deeply grateful when I received the offer, especially as it arrived just before my final undergraduate exams and gave me an extra push during a challenging term. The financial security it provides is invaluable: I don’t need to take out a postgraduate loan, and I don’t have to worry about tuition fees or accommodation costs.

'Some of the highlights of my time at Emma have been meeting so many amazing people from across the UK and around the world. I’ve also loved getting involved in Emma’s access initiatives, hosting Q&A sessions for visiting schools and taking part in the Link Area Programme. Alongside formal occasions like the Commemoration of the Founder and Benefactors dinners, it’s the everyday moments – chatting with the Porters and watching football with friends – that have truly made Emma feel like home.'

- Ashwin (2021)