Dany Weyer, a doctoral candidate within the Research Unit ECCS and the Doctoral School in Humanities and Social Sciences at the Faculty of Language and Literature, Humanities, Arts and Education recently spent a research period at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand. He agreed to tell us about his experience.
In a few words, can you tell us about your research at the University of Luxembourg?
Since 2016, I am exploring the development of a multilingual theatre initiative in a primary school class in Luxembourg City. I am specifically interested in analysing the interactions between the pupils and their teacher in the context of a humanising education: in what ways did their cooperative endeavour to initiate, coordinate and perform a full-scale theatre production affect the teacher-student relationships and their forms of (positive) engagement?
What were your motivations for deciding to do a research stay on the other side of the world?
Both professional and personal reasons regularly motivate me to leave my comfort zone to challenge my way of seeing the world. In New Zealand, I wanted to seize the opportunity to develop my network beyond European borders, experience a cultural and social environment new to me, and eventually start elaborating my dissertation manuscript.
Tell us about your stay at the University of Canterbury.
How long did you stay there and what were your main activities?
I stayed for 73 days (not that I was counting …) – eight weeks as a visiting scholar at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, and one and a half weeks as a tourist on the Northern Island of New Zealand. Janinka Greenwood, professor at the University of Canterbury, invited me to visit her department at the College of Education, meet and exchange with fellow researchers and engage in local activities. She offered me plenty of opportunities to develop my PhD research project and learn from their postgraduate community.
In how far was the stay beneficial for your PhD?
If I consider my position as a PhD student to be a learning journey for both my professional and private life, the time in New Zealand allowed me to « become more fully human », as Paulo Freire would argue. I made new friends, discovered new places, learned to be more thankful, hospitable and confident. In the context of my work progress, the stay at the University of Canterbury helped me to gain a different perspective on my overall project and underlying themes.
What advice would you give to other students, staff who are considering training in New Zealand?
Do it.
Will you stay in touch with your host university?
I very much hope to stay in contact with the colleagues and friends I met at the University of Canterbury. I am sure I will find an excuse to go back to New Zealand soon – there is always some « research » that needs to be done. 😉