Soniya's story: Empowering communities through research

Soniya’s research for her Marketing PhD examines how women entrepreneurs in developing markets are transforming their communities through small‑scale business innovation. Thanks to an Acorn Grant, she travelled to Gujarat, India, to study how directing dairy payments into women’s bank accounts can strengthen families and shift household decision‑making. 

Speaking directly with women on the ground reshaped her understanding of empowerment. Many are running businesses from their homes, supporting their families and educating their children, often within deeply patriarchal systems. Their resilience and creativity left a lasting impression. 

Soniya is clear about the role donor generosity played in making this work possible. The Acorn Grant enabled her to travel, meet women face‑to‑face and gather insights that would have been impossible from a distance. It also reinforced a core lesson of her research: meaningful change happens when we think globally but engage locally. 

Inspired by the support she received, Soniya hopes one day to give back herself, helping future students access the same opportunities. Her experience reflects the wider impact of donor‑funded grants — opening doors, deepening understanding and empowering students to contribute to communities around the world. 

“I hope one day I can become a donor myself, to help the next generation of students benefit from the same opportunities. It’s so important to give back as we take from Cambridge; that’s how the community keeps growing and thriving.” 

Soniya (2022)