Sofie’s ECC experience

When I first came across the open call for mentees in the ECC programme in early 2021, I did not think much of it – I had just begun my own doctoral journey in Critical Race Studies at the Faculty of Arts, and I was not convinced that interdisciplinary and cross-faculty mingling and collaboration really ought to be part of this next part of my scholarly and professional chapter. And even

less so in a programme that was about OneHealth! Despite this, I still applied, because I knew that 1) my research could fit into the framework and 2) it would give me some unique insights and opportunities that few doctoral students in my field are afforded – if there is one thing I have learnt throughout my undergraduate and Master’s studies, it is to take all the chances that come my way. And I can’t even begin to describe how happy and grateful I am that I decided to go for it, and that I got accepted!

As a humanist/social scientist going into a programme focused on OneHealth (which, let’s be real, would lead most people to think of the physical and natural sciences more than the social sciences and humanities), my expectations were almost non-existent – not that I did not have any expectations, by no means, but I couldn’t tell you now what they were before we started. I guess that is also why I have so many positive things to say about this program, because I went into this as a blank slate.. and came out as a colorful canvas!

Being one of the few social scientists in the cohort, it was eye-opening to work together with the mentees and mentors from the natural sciences. It was a pleasure (and a great privilege!) to have them explain what they do, in a manner that I was able to understand with my limited knowledge of much of the natural scientific research traditions. It was also a pleasure to expand the limits of what OneHealth can do and should do/be, and to envision ways in which all branches of science – be it virology, biology, medicine, anthropology or gender studies – can work together in order to solve the plethora of crises that we are facing. As we concluded many times during our talks, visits and interactions, no discipline can stand alone, and working together is of utmost importance – and it’s also the most fun! It was also beyond incredible to get so close to doctoral students from another university, and to see how doctoral

education is planned and conceptualized at another university. Furthermore, I cannot emphasize enough how much I enjoyed the social aspect of being a mentee in this programme. I think I speak for all of the mentees (and hopefully the mentors, too!) in the 2021-2022 cohort when I say that lifelong friendships have been formed and nurtured. I highly recommend everyone eligible to apply as mentee to give it consideration – I can almost guarantee that you will not regret it.

If you wish to contact Sofie to hear more about her experience in ECC, you can reach her at sofie.gregersen@helsinki.fi