Meet the PhDs

In episode 23, meet Dr. Omnia Ibrahim, a speech scientist and Lecturer in Speech Technology at Alexandria University. Her work explores how people adapt their speech across different social, cognitive, and technological contexts.

Bringing together phonetics, linguistics, and language technology, she studies speech production, acoustic analysis, information theory, and multilingual corpora. Her research has included developing Arabic speech corpora and examining how people adjust the way they speak during both human-human and human-robot interactions.

Teaching is also central to her work. She is passionate about helping students!

Beyond research and teaching, she is committed to academic service, community building, and science communication. She has led international student initiatives within ISCA, organized workshops and doctoral consortiums, reviewed for journals including JASA and Speech Communication, and shared her expertise through media appearances and public outreach.

In this episode of Meet the PhDs, we learn more about her academic journey, her experiences as a researcher and educator, and what Omnia does in her current career!

You can follow her YouTube channel here:

https://www.youtube.com/@omniaabdo4171

In this episode of Meet the PhDs, I am joined by Edgar Huitema, PhD, a senior lecturer, postgraduate research leader, and creator of The SuperAdvisor, a platform dedicated to helping doctoral students navigate the often-unspoken challenges of supervision and academic life.

Edgar has spent more than fifteen years supporting PhD students and training supervisors, giving him a unique perspective on what helps research relationships thrive - and what causes them to break down.

We discuss the hidden expectations that shape the PhD experience, common communication pitfalls between students and supervisors, academic agency, feedback, progress, and practical strategies for building a productive and supportive supervisory relationship.

Whether you are considering a PhD, currently working on one, supervising doctoral students, or simply interested in the realities of academic life, this conversation offers valuable advice and honest reflections from someone who works at the heart of doctoral education.

Thank you so much, Edgar!

Links:

• The SuperAdvisor
• Edgar Huitema (University of Dundee)

In this episode of Meet the PhDs, I speak with Dr Servet Altan - educator, researcher, teacher trainer, and Assistant Professor at MEF University, whose work explores international education, teacher development, educational leadership, and the powerful concept of Habits of Mind.

We discuss Servet’s academic journey, the world of IB education, mindfulness and thoughtfulness in teaching, and how Habits of Mind can shape not only classrooms, but also the ways we think, learn, lead, and grow as human beings. Our conversation also explores reflective practice, motivation, global education, and the importance of developing thoughtful and mindful learners in a rapidly changing world.

We also talk about Servet’s publications and research, including:

• Mindfulness and Thoughtfulness: Leading and Teaching with Habits of Mind in Research and Practice (with Jennie Farber Lane)

• Using Habits of Mind, Intelligent Behaviors, and Educational Theories to Create a Conceptual Framework for Developing Effective Teaching Dispositions

A thoughtful and inspiring conversation for educators, researchers, PhD students, and anyone passionate about learning, teaching, and meaningful educational change.

Thank you so much, Servet!

In this episode of Meet the PhDs, I am joined by Anna Herran, a PhD candidate in History exploring the links between memory, identity, and statehood in twentieth-century East Central Europe and the Baltic region.

We discuss her comparative research on Czech and Estonian experiences of statehood, the role of collective memory, national holidays, and how historical narratives travel within diaspora communities.

A thoughtful conversation about how we remember the past - and why it still matters today.

In this episode, I speak with with Dr. Kate Henry - productivity coach, independent scholar, and PhD graduate - about how academics can thrive without burning out.

Kate shares her own PhD journey, what inspired her to move into coaching, and the strategies she uses to help scholars build sustainable, well-being - centered approaches to writing, research, and long-term projects.

Whether you are just starting your PhD, deep in dissertation writing, or navigating life after academia, this conversation offers practical insights and inspiration to keep moving forward with clarity, purpose, and balance!

🔗 Learn more about Kate’s work: katehenry.com

In this episode of Meet the PhDs, I sit down with President Michael Schaepman, President of the University of Zurich and internationally recognized researcher in remote sensing and Earth observation. Our conversation goes beyond science to explore what it means to lead one of Europe’s top universities in a rapidly changing world.

Professor Schaepman reflects on his path from scientific discovery to university leadership, sharing insights into building communities of collaboration, guiding institutions through uncertainty, and balancing academic excellence with social responsibility. We discuss how leaders can inspire innovation while staying grounded in values, and how universities can play a pivotal role in shaping the future of research, education, and society.

Whether you are curious about academic leadership, the intersection of science and policy, or the challenges of guiding large institutions, this episode offers a thoughtful and inspiring look at leadership in action.

Thank you so much, President Schaepman!

In Episode 17 of Meet the PhDs, I chat with the amazing Dr. Alison Miller, clinical psychologist, academic coach, and all-around guide for grad students and researchers trying to make it through the world of academia.

We dive into the core of grad school life - from beating procrastination and quieting imposter syndrome, to finding a rhythm that actually feels sustainable.

Alison brings honesty and practical strategies to the table, reminding us that grad school does not have to be a constant grind. Instead, she invites us to enjoy the ride!

Check out more of her work and resources at:

🌐 https://www.disscoach.com 🌐https://www.theacademicwritersspace.com/

If you have ever wished for a coach and a spectacular presence in your corner during your PhD experience, this episode is for you!

In this episode, I sit down with Doğa Öztürk, historian of the Ottoman Empire and author of the Substack newsletter A Few Thoughts On.

Doğa earned his PhD in History from Ohio State University, where his research explored nationalism and imperial belonging in late Ottoman Egypt - a fascinating period of transformation, identity negotiation, and political change. He currently works as an independent research consultant in London.

We discuss:

• His PhD experience and his journey after it ended

• How Ottoman imperial identity evolved during the empire and its final decades
• Why studying the Ottoman past matters for understanding modern Middle Eastern history
• and so much more!

Tune in for an engaging conversation that connects doing a PhD, history, identity, and the legacies of empire!

The books that Doğa mentions in this episode are:

• Cemal Kafadar, Between Two Worlds: The Construction of the Ottoman State
• Colin Imber, The Ottoman Empire, 1300-1650
• Carter Findley, Turkey, Islam, Nationalism, and Modernity: A History.
• Franz Babinger, Mehmed the Conqueror and His Time. 

For Episode 15, my guest is Erin McGrattan, from County Down in Northern Ireland. She did her undergraduate degree in Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) in Food Quality, Safety and Nutrition and completed a Master’s degree in Ulster University in Human Nutrition, which qualifies her as a nutritionist by the Association for Nutrition. 

She completed a summer studentship at QUB in the Centre for Public Health, and following continuing working there part-time, she was offered to do a PhD. Her title is Identifying characteristics of asymptomatic oesophageal cancer and Barrett’s oesophagus patients to inform novel prevention and early detection opportunities.

Erin and I discuss PhDing, mental health and so much more!

May I introduce you to two AMAZING academics in Episode 14!

Dr Lauren Saunders and Dr Allen Roda, Vice President of Editing and Research, and CEO and Editor-in-Chief of the Dissertation Editor respectively; and authors of the fantastic book PhDone, which I was given an ARC for and throughly enjoyed and found useful. It is a #2 Wall Street Journal best-seller!

Enjoy this episode!