In this episode, host Francine Barchett interviews Emi Donald, a PhD candidate in the Department of History at Cornell University. Emi shares insights from their 18-month fieldwork in Bangkok, where they explored the roles of tomboys (thom in Thai) and trans men. They highlight ways the transgender experience, including clinic access, social acceptance of the trans community, and their legal protections, have evolved in Thailand in recent history. Then they take a bittersweet victory lap on their PhD experience, with some tips for aspiring PhD students: learn a language, develop time management skills, and find your people to get you through the inevitable dissertation downs!

Lightning round: 3:34 

Research and Lecture Summary: 9:41 

Advice for researchers and recommendations: 28:49

Emi’s top recommendations:

• A Good True Thai by Sunisa Manning
• How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies 
• Tiffany Tsao's English translations of Indonesian poetry

The music on the podcast is from "14 Strings!", a Filipino style Rondalla group established in Cornell University. Check them out here. 

 

Produced by Adam Farihin and Cecilia Liu