Haythem Bastawy

Full time Author and Artist

I published several academic papers, two of which reached the top 1% in academia worldwide ranking.

My first student experience at Leeds Trinity

I completed the MA in Victorian Studies with distinction at Leeds Trinity whilst working full-time. The MA was a good basis for me to undertake a PhD and I went on to teach on the MA programme itself afterwards. I also started publishing academic papers while I was still at the MA stage which helped me in gaining funding for a PhD.

Continuing my studies at Leeds Trinity

After completing an MA in the Victorian studies at Leeds Trinity I was awarded a PhD stipend (a funding grant for undertaking doctoral research) for the duration of my PhD research. My PhD was in English Literature and History. My thesis ranged over many subjects through the discussion of the influence of The Thousand and One Nights on British literature and politics in the nineteenth century. I was well supported by my supervisors with the doctorate thesis itself as well as with other related academic projects.

Whilst working on my PhD and teaching at both Leeds Trinity and Leeds University I also completed a PGCE at Leeds Trinity. This provided a great opportunity for me to expand my research and to experiment with various new teaching methods that were different from the styles of teaching that were familiar to me. I published several academic papers, two of which reached the top 1% in academia worldwide ranking.

How my career panned out after completing my PhD

After completing my PhD in 2018, while also teaching at Leeds Trinity University, I was awarded the official academic post of Teaching Fellow in Drama and Postcolonial Literature at the University of Leeds, conditional to defending my thesis. I successfully defended my thesis in January 2019.

Career highlights

I have travelled nationally and internationally presenting my research at many academic conferences and venues, something which I enjoyed very much and to which I was already accustomed in the different work routes I had taken previously.

Some of my career highlights and awards include:

• Fellow of the British Higher Education Academy 
• Fellow of the Royal Anthropological Institute
• Former Teaching Fellow in Drama and Postcolonial Literature at the University of Leeds
• Recipient of the John Murray Prize for the distinction of my research in 2015
• Recipient of The Peter Emmerson 2015 Assessor of the Year Award
• SWAPCA Languages and Literatures Award in the US in February 2017
• Being in the top 1% of Academia worldwide author ranking

Successes as an author

In 2020 my books The Hesiad and The Hesiad ll were published. Rich, powerful and lyrical verse inspired by the mythical origins of the gods of Egypt. You can find out more about my books on my website. 

My advice to others considering postgraduate study

My advice to students who are interested in any postgraduate programme is to be passionate about the topic, particularly at a PhD level where a lot of the work requires leadership, planning ahead, thinking on one’s feet and an independent mindset.