First ever Bangor University prestigious 125th anniversary research scholarship completed

Marco Giudici, 29, from Milan, recently completed his 125th anniversary research scholarship in History. Marco, who now lives in Hitchin, Hertforshire, is the first to complete one of the 125th anniversary research scholarships from Bangor University.

Introduced to mark the 125th Anniversary of Bangor University, the Anniversary Research Scholarships are part of the University’s programme of postgraduate expansion. They aim to attract outstanding students who wish to study in this dynamic and research focused university.

The Anniversary Scholarships are flagship awards comprising three year PhD studentships covering fees and providing an annual stipend and research allowance, and three year PhD bursaries that provide an annual stipend for outstanding UK/EU and International students.

Marco, who gained an undergraduate degree from the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore of Milan and then went on to complete an MA at the Università degli Studi di Milano, said: ““Studying for a PhD at Bangor was a fantastic experience. Not only could I focus on one of the things I like the most (doing research), but I was also given the chance to teach undergraduate seminars and even a few lectures, which was great.

“My supervisor and co-supervisor were very suppportive and helpful. They even gave me the chance to organise the first conference on migration and ethnicity in the Celtic nations! I also enjoyed working with the School of History teaching staff and I feel that I learnt a lot from them in terms of teaching.”

“The highlight was meeting my future wife, we’re getting married in June! If it wasn't for the 125 scholarship I would never have come to Bangor and I would have never met her!

“Secondly, I really enjoyed travelling to do research and attend conferences. I was lucky enough to receive a generous research expenses grant (on top of my scholarship), which I could use to cover all my research-related travel expenses. I had the opportunity to spend time in archives, museums and libraries across the UK and Italy, ranging from The National Archives in London to tiny parish archives in the Appennini Mountains of Emilia-Romagna. I  also delivered papers at a number of international conferences in places as far as Clermont-Ferrand and Philadelphia.

About the future, he added: “I am hoping to carry on doing what I love the most: researching and teaching. However, I am also willing to do something valuable for the community I live in. I would like to take part in community outreach and public engagement projects, in higher education, lifelong learning or in the heritage sector. I have just started volunteering for the National Trust and I will start lecturing for the Workers' Educational Association in September.
 
Marco’s supervisor, Dr Andrew Edwards, said: “Marco, a native of Milan, joined us back in October 2009, having secured one of the competitive 125th anniversary PhD scholarships offered by the College of Arts and Humanities, to undertake research on Italian migration to Wales in the period after 1945.

“To complete a PhD in History within three years is  an outstanding achievement, and I'm delighted that he is  the first student to successfully complete a 125 scholarship.

“Marco has already published some of his research, and I'm sure that his forthcoming monograph, which is based on his  PhD, will make an important contribution to our understanding of post-war Welsh history.

“Marco's achievement clearly demonstrates the value of these scholarships to the University and to the wider academic community.”

Professor Joanne Rycroft-Malone, Director of University Research at Bangor University, said: “The Scholarship scheme offers opportunities to the very best students, nationally and internationally, to work with the University’s leading academics and rising stars. This investment in research scholarships forms part of our strategy to grow research excellence, research capacity and to further enhance our dynamic research environment.”

Publication date: 26 February 2013