Why Oxford? Renée Clerc on Starting Her DPhil in Politics

As we approach the beginning of the new academic year, we are looking forward to welcoming our incoming students at DPIR. We caught up with incoming Politics DPhil student Renée Clerc, to discuss her academic interests and her experience as a first-generation (first-gen) university student. 

What has been your academic journey so far?

For my bachelor’s degree, I studied Politics and Public Administration at the University of Konstanz in Germany, which has allowed me to explore various subfields of Political Science and related disciplines. I soon realised that I was most interested in comparative politics, specifically in democracy research. After looking into various options, I decided to join the University of Gothenburg in Sweden for my master’s, where I finished my degree last month. 

Besides the degree programs, I also took advantage of opportunities to study abroad and gain hands-on experience through internships. For instance, I studied abroad for one semester at the University of Strathclyde in Scotland during my undergraduate studies and completed a five-month internship at The Quality of Government Institute during my master’s degree, both of which were great ways to explore my interests beyond the classroom.

What are you interested in researching as a member of DPIR at Oxford University? 

I am broadly interested in the role of political institutions and citizens’ attitudes and behaviour in shaping the resilience of liberal democracies. In my PhD project, I aim to study the prevalence of different mainstream parties’ strategies towards illiberal parties, their intra-party predictors, and their consequences for political attitudes by employing a mix of experimental and qualitative methods. Illiberal parties pose a substantial threat to liberal democracies, as they challenge their core norms and institutions. Understanding how mainstream parties may facilitate or constrain their success is therefore crucial to safeguarding democracy. 

What motivated you to apply to Oxford University? 

DPIR is world-leading in the study of democratic politics, with the recently established Centre for Democratic Resilience presenting a central research hub that aligns with my scholarly interests. Much of the work that inspired my own ideas is from academics at DPIR, whom I hope to learn from during the PhD. First and foremost, this includes my PhD supervisor, Professor Giovanni Capoccia, who worked extensively on strategies of democratic self-defence. 

At the same time, scholars at DPIR work on a range of subjects that are not directly related to my research interests, and the college offers a further place to explore new ideas and perspectives from other disciplines. Taken together, the departments’ strong research fit with my intended project, and the opportunity to engage with topics beyond my direct academic interests made Oxford a particularly attractive option for pursuing a PhD. 

Still, I was hesitant to apply due to the high costs associated with the education. Luckily, I was made aware of the Renato Morelli Scholarship, which is intended to support projects related to liberal democracy, giving me the final push to apply to the program.

What does the fully funded Oxford University place mean to you? What opportunities has it made possible? 

In short, the fully funded place means a lot to me, as I wouldn’t be able to study at Oxford University without this generous support. Only time will tell what other opportunities will follow from this, but I am certain they will be great! 

Have you experienced any challenges during your university education or process as a first-gen student?

One big challenge during my education has been the general uncertainty around how things work at the university. Especially during my bachelor’s degree, it was quite scary at times to ask questions, as I was often worried the answers might seem obvious to others.

Relatedly, I think there are many things around getting a university education that are rather difficult to find out about on your own, but that your academic parents could tell you about, such as scholarships, the prestige of specific programs, or what’s important when trying to land a job at the university. In my case, I always had great friends and mentors who helped me navigate all the informal knowledge around academia. 

What are you most looking forward to during your Oxford University PhD journey? 

I am really looking forward to dedicating the next couple of years to researching a topic I am highly interested in and which, given the political developments in European democracies and beyond, is particularly relevant right now. In pursuing this journey, I am excited to learn from fellow PhD students and senior academics alike, to connect with great people and make new friends, and to explore Oxford with all its particularities. 

What would you say to other first-gen students considering applying to Oxford? 

Most importantly, don’t be scared to tell people about your plan and ask for help with your application. In my experience, academics are usually very enthusiastic when students are interested in pursuing a PhD and are happy to support them. It has helped me immensely to discuss my ideas with others, think about potential challenges, and receive feedback on my written work. 

In addition to the more hands-on support, it has always helped me to connect with other first-gen students and exchange experiences, as this can be a great reminder that you are not alone with your struggles. Finally, don’t feel intimidated by Oxford’s prestige. Build the courage to take up space and take the shot: You belong there, too.