Hi, thanks for visiting my page! I’m Miranda, a 33 year-old master’s student and mum of one from London. I’m hugely excited to have been offered a place to do a PhD in sociology at Goldsmiths from September. Despite offers from 3 different institutions, I unfortunately have not secured any studentship funding. Extremely competitive to win, a studentship would have covered my tuition fees and living expenses for 3 years of study. I currently do not have the funds to cover my course costs and do not want to borrow any more money, given the iceberg of student debt from my undergraduate studies. This campaign is my attempt to negate this financial barrier.

I am hoping to raise £19,000.

• Of this £12,156 will cover the tuition fees for the entire three-year course - the fee is £4,052 per year. This will be paid straight to Goldsmiths.
•  The remaining £6,844 will contribute towards my living costs for the first year.
• Hubbub.net apply a charge of 3.5% PayPal fees to successful projects, which in this case would be £665 so please help me exceed the £19k target in order to cover this.

why i am doing a phd 

 The purpose of my obtaining this qualification is ultimately to become a university-based sociologist, tackling some of the social issues that affect certain families and communities. For instance my PhD research will expand upon the focus of my master’s dissertation to further explore experiences among single mothers who have raised sons to adulthood, as well as of adult sons who were raised solely by their mothers. This will be with the aim of tackling some of the simplistic stereotypes and stigma around this family structure. I hope to eventually write a book about my research findings.

a little bit about me

I returned to education at the same time that my son, Jackson, now nine, started at primary school with the goal of attaining a fulfilling and impactful career. Following an Access course, I gained admission to the University of Surrey to read for a BSc in Sociology. In July 2014 I graduated with First-Class Honours and was delighted to win two  prizes: The Best  Sociology  Dissertation prize (won jointly) as well as The Asher Tropp prize for The Best Overall Performance.  Keen to continue my studies with a master’s in preparation for doctoral studies, I dreamt big and applied to the London School of Economics (LSE) for a place on their MSc in Social Research Methods. I was thrilled not only to be admitted but also to be awarded a full scholarship that would cover my tuition fees and living costs. The PhD is the final qualification I need to have a shot at my goal of becoming an academic.

so, why should you support me?

•  I intend to use my career to produce knowledge and understanding of social issues that are often distorted in the mainstream. My hope is that the research I conduct could suggest how particular 'disadvantages' can be negated as well as highlight potential structural solutions for certain inequalities.

•  Through my scholarly work and by teaching a curriculum that is broad, critical and relevant I hope to inspire the next generation of sociologists to use to the radical potential of the discipline to understand, question and challenge the inequalities of the status quo.

• In attaining my career goal I hope to encourage people to aim for careers that they may think are not for people like themselves. It would be a wonderful thing to act as proof that regardless of how your life started out and no matter who you are, it is possible to achieve whatever you so choose.

•  Finally, I really hope to demonstrate that by adding your voice to the conversation and contributing your unique perspective you just may effect some social good.

I am determined to begin my Sociology PhD this autumn and hope that you will support me in this quest. Please share this campaign with your networks, post #singlemumdoesphd to raise awareness and sponsor me if you can. Every donation will be hugely appreciated, whatever the size. Take a look at the rewards on offer in return for your investment in me at the side of this page.

You can also like the Facebook page Single Mum Does PhD to receive updates during the campaign and along my PhD journey.

If you would like more information you can email me at armstrongmiranda@icloud.com

Thank you SO much in advance for your support!!!