Yang Zhang

Expertise and guidance

Since enrolling as a sociolinguistics PhD student at Goldsmiths, my academic and social experiences have been nothing short of exceptional. I had the privilege of studying some of the modules on the MA Sociocultural Linguistics, with a particular focus on the 'Discourse and Identity in Spoken Interaction' module. This has equipped me with a strong foundation to apply my sociolinguistic and discourse knowledge to my own research. I am incredibly grateful for my supervisor, Dr Pia Pichler, whose unwavering patience, expertise, and guidance have been instrumental in helping me achieve my goals.

Amazing resources

The university offers a wealth of resources and support to help students reach their academic goals. These include services such as academic coaching, academic writing advice, and digital literacy support from Subject Librarians. Based on my experience, I highly recommend that future students take full advantage of these resources in order to maximise their potential and achieve their academic aspirations. With the guidance of these resources, students can build the necessary skills to excel in their studies and receive the support needed to succeed at Goldsmiths. So, my suggestion to future students would be to make the most of these amazing resources and unlock their full potential during their time at Goldsmiths.

Award recognition

My PhD is an ethnography on the friendship talk and masculinities of young Chinese men. I was the runner-up for the Judith Baxter Award, which recognises the work of one promising new researcher in language, gender and sexuality per year. The review panel was extremely impressed by the scope and depth of my fieldwork, my attention to an under-researched area, and my challenge to the global south's perspective on intersectionality. The committee felt that my work has the potential to make a significant contribution to the field of language, gender and sexuality.

A rich tapestry of diverse cultures

South East London is a vibrant and dynamic place that offers a rich tapestry of diverse cultures to explore. From Korean and Vietnamese to Lebanese and Chinese, there is an abundance of wonderful and unique food to indulge in. In addition to the classic British pubs that the area is known for, I encourage you to take your taste buds on an adventure and experience the wide variety of flavours and cuisines available in this exciting part of the city.