PhD Students: Where are they now? – Dr Cleo Roberts-Komireddi
Dr Cleo Roberts-Komireddi is a freelance writer and broadcaster, creating many pieces for The Guardian, The Art Newspaper, Frieze, The Spectator & Art Worlds podcast. Before her journey as a writer, Dr Cleo studied Envisioning the Indian City as a PhD Researcher in 2013. After completing her PhD, she went on to become a Research Assistant and Studio Director.
Watch Dr Cleo Roberts – Komireddi Full Interview
When deciding on a research topic and focusing on a highly motivated driver, it was decided to pursue a PhD on the representation of Calcutta in East India during the British Colonial period.
Not forgetting that, as Dr Cleo applied for a studentship supported by both the UK and Indian governments. It was important for her to select projects that embodied the idea of cross-cultural currents.
Finding the right PhD supervisor
Dr Cleo expressed that as a PhD student, it is important to find a good PhD supervisor. During her journey, she found it really helped shape the way her final pieces of work turned out and her overall PhD journey.
A top tip from Dr Cleo would be to look for someone who encourages your curiosity and allows you to build on your intellectual confidence and conviction.
Journey after completing her PhD
After completing her PhD, adapting to industry life was quite tricky for Dr Cleo. Despite the excitement and feeling proud of completing the whole PhD process, it became apparent quite soon that people were really looking for experience.
Based on her own experience, another top tip shared would be for anyone considering a PhD to think about ways that they can also build real-life and relevant experience for the industry that they might want to go into.
PhD influenced where you are today
Reflecting on her journey. Dr Cleo has found that completing her PhD has really helped her to understand the true value of analytical and critical thinking. It is clear to her that she is no longer writing in an academic context but with academic rigour for a general audience.
What does the future hold
As mentioned previously, Dr Cleo is a writer and in the immediate future will be finishing her book, which has some relevance to her PhD. The book outlines Indian art.
In the future, she may write more and consider ways she can focus on public lecturing and speaking. Perhaps it may be from visiting fellowships or potentially some radio programming, that’s how she sees her future steps.
Explore other articles related to PhD opportunities:
Find a PhD
Meet the Host: Dr Cleo Roberts-Komireddi
Dr Cleo Roberts-Komireddi is an art historian, broadcaster, and commentator. She hosts the Art Worlds podcast and is currently writing a book on Indian Art, from prehistory to contemporary, for Yale University Press which has been awarded an Association for Art History grant.
She has written for leading publications across the world. Including The Financial Times, The Guardian, The Telegraph, The Spectator and Frieze. She’s contributed to books published by Phaidon and Thames & Hudson and written numerous artist essays.
She has lectured at The Courtauld Institute of Art, Sotheby’s Institute, Christie’s, Princeton University, University of Cambridge, Royal Asiatic Society and reported for BBC World Service. She is an academic advisor for MAP Academy and was a consulting art editor for STIRworld.
Leave a Reply