Today, the first of what we hope to be an occasional series – short interviews with MSc and PhD students about their work, especially centred around help they are hoping to get from the broader environmental politics community. If you have tips for books and articles Freddy (see below) should read, either contact him directly, OR (and this would help other folks), leave comments below the post. If you are an MSc or PhD student who would like to get the help of other folks, drop an email to environmentalpoliticsjournal@gmail.com
1. Tell us a bit about you you are, your employment and academic background
I am Freddy, from the Republic of Congo. I am fluent in both English and French. My background is in Industrial Engineering. Over the past 5 years, I have been working in the Oil and Gas industry in Angola and in the Republic of Congo. I started as an Environmental Health and Safety -EHS- Engineer for two years, then Subsea Installation Engineer for another two years, and Subsea Project Manager for one year.
2. Tell us about how you came to get the fellowship at University of Reading
There is a fully funded Masters scholarship in the UK offered by the UK FCDO in 160 countries with more than 62,000 applicants worldwide and only less than 3% are awarded the scholarship. For the first time ever, my home country the Republic of Congo was eligible. I applied and we were twelve (12) of us during the interview stage in the Republic of Congo and I ended up being the only one selected. Because of this scholarship, I was able to join the University of Reading in September 2021.
3. What do you hope to study? What tips are you looking for from the environmental politics community
I am currently doing an MSc in Climate Change and Development. For my dissertation topic, I would love to explore an Interdisciplinary topic at the frontier of social science and natural science/engineering ‘Ending Energy Poverty in Central Africa and its consequences on Climate Change Mitigation and Economic Development’. I would love to have tips from the environmental politics community to find out how I can introduce the concepts of “social justice” or “environmental policies for a sustainable growth” in such a topic.
4. How can people contact you with ideas/tips for articlesI am reachable via: Email: a.f.bilombobazedimba@student.reading.ac.uk
Twitter: @afBILOMBO
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/freddy-bilombo-5a826a79/
5. Though it’s “the future” – what are your plans/hopes for beyond the MSc.
Beyond the MSc, I would love (1) to join a think tank or an aid agency specialised in energy, climate change, environmental policy, and/or international development; (2) to work as a Research Assistant; (3) to do a PhD in Energy and Environmental Policy.
