The experiences of a visiting PhD student
Johan Christensen, PhD researcher at the European University Institute, Florence, Italy shares his experience of the time spent at the Centre for Accounting, Governance and Taxation Research and at the School of Accounting and Commercial Law:
I came to Wellington to do fieldwork for my PhD project on tax policy in small open economies. More specifically, I wanted to talk to public servants, politicians and practitioners that had been involved in tax policy-making in New Zealand over the last 30 years.
The Centre for Accounting, Governance and Taxation Research provided a perfect frame for conducting my research. Not only did I get useful advice and introductions to people I wanted to interview. I also had Parliament, Treasury and the Inland Revenue Department within five minutes walking distance from my office.
I even had the chance to present my research, both in the PhD colloquium and at a seminar organized by the Centre. This was invaluable, as it was the first opportunity for me to discuss my preliminary findings.
I had fortunately prepared well for the fieldwork, because six weeks in Wellington was only just enough time to study the relevant documents and conduct the interviews with the many interesting people relevant to my research.
However, what I had not anticipated was the hospitality and friendliness I experienced at the Centre. It stretched far beyond the morning tea and biscuits that gathered people around the coffee table at 10.30 am every morning. Having spent time at various universities, I can say that this is by far the most collegial and inclusive academic environment I have ever been part of. The lack of barriers between PhD fellows and professors, between academic staff and administration, and between people from places as diverse as Malta, Vietnam and (for a limited time) Norway is something every academic institution ought to copy.
Johan Christensen, PhD researcher in Political Science, European University Institute, Florence, Italy