Statement of Purpose
Study Program – PhD – Anthropology
Intake Period –
Anthropology entices me as a definitive medium of optimising future of human species. While the legacy research methods ensue unveiling in a multi-layered historical context, I have consciously applied scientific rationale while curating the multiple research reviews and papers in the last few years. As a Master’s Scholar of Anthropology at the Punjab University (2019-21), I have relished learning about the alchemic process of how nature evolves in terms of organic growth and habits; hitherto applied my academic know how through working with communities and in apple plantations of India, since a young age.
My tryst with anthropology was serendipity of sorts. Growing up in a family owned apple plantation in the Himachal region of Shimla in India, my adolescent mind was constantly intrigued about the life cycle of the fruit. The curiosity exposed me to various facts and research pertaining to apple plantations as I worked closely with the field workers and the culturists. My learned father often shared his wisdom on how over the years local community and climate change has adversely affected the yield and annual patterns.
Post completing my senior secondary school with 92% aggregate, I opted to pursue Bachelors of Science at the MCM DAV College for Women, city name (2016-2019). I readily chose the disciplines of Zoology, Botany & Chemistry as my academic concentrations during undergraduate years. At the MCM campus, I adeptly comprehended my course work and often went beyond the scope of my syllabus to study the history and culture of Punjab. Life Sciences being my favoured domain, I researched extensively in the filed gaining knowledge (mention undergraduate core curriculum learning outcomes).
Laden with knowledge, I found my way back home during the final semester and studied about how local communities in Shimla and adjoining areas harvest and use wild edible plants. Through research, I elucidated the primeval agricultural practices of the area; handed over from one generation to the next. The research simultaneously made me privy to the expansive floral diversity of the Himalayan foot-hills. In the dissertation, I attempted to curate a strong case of allotting “Supplementary Food” status to the indigenous wild fruits and plants of the area. My paper was likewise appreciated by the faculty, peers and I won a reward for the Poster, titled, ‘Wild Edible Plants in the Shimla Hills’ in the Life Science category.
My other research initiative during undergraduate covered the ‘Study of menstrual hygiene and awareness among girls aged 18-22.’
I concluded my Bachelor’s degree in 2019, securing an overall 83.1%. The new knowledge flushed me with curiosity. I enrolled to the MSc program at the Punjab University to research fulltime in the field of Anthropology. During the two years of scholarly tenure, I prepared research papers on diverse topics including, ‘Ethnographic object of Gaddi Tribe of Chamba, Himachal Pradesh (India)’, Folklore of Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh India and a detailed statistic study on Domestic Violence In Chandigarh City, Punjab, India.
As an Anthropology Research Fellow, I choose to submit my major dissertation on a topic close to home. I prepared a detailed paper on the Climate Change affecting the economy and lifestyle of village Jashla, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh (India). The cash crop of the region being the Apple fruit, I prepared a historical analysis of the crop yield, climate change patterns; primarily of the snowing season in Himachal, which has not only reduced but has also become majory unpredictable and erratic in its occurrence.
My commitment of gaining specialist know-how about cultural and social anthropology, anthropology linguistics and Biological Anthropology is purpose driven. I have worked shoulder to shoulder with local communities to conduct varied research on topics of menstrual hygiene, folklore,
Social impact Assessment of a village.
Recently, I completed a COVID Vaccine Analysis for a local community and demonstrated my dexterity of redirecting anthropological research for an applied use case. My academic rationale to pursue PhD Anthropology program at the University of Melbourne is to transcend the geographical borders and research in a global context. The University of Melbourne offers profound research avenues in the field of sustainable agriculture and in devising effective resolutions to combat the global warming phenomena. The brilliant infrastructure of your university will enable comprehensive learning amid intelligible supervisors in my chosen research domain of Anthropology.
I concur that it is only with scientific retrospection, we can effectively resolve our modern problems. Through research, I am driven to gain knowledge that can aid in betterment of the local farming communities in India and rest of the world. I seek primary learning outcomes in the domains of ecological sustainability, preventive health and uplifting women in communities that are historically patriarchal and less educated.
It is only after exhaustive research that I have chosen to pursue to PhD program in Australia. The Australian Universities are rightly touted as the cradle of anthropological research. I look forward to particularly study the aboriginal history, culture and agricultural practices in Australia amongst other research goals. The education in a global, first world setting will aggrandise my scholarly perspective and expose me to the best practices in research methodology via practicum and theory exercises.
A chance to pursue PhD (Anthropology) at the University of Melbourne is a brilliant progression of my MSc program and aligns perfectly with my knowledge and career objectives. I have strong ambitions to establish my candidature as a reliable and respected research fellow, striving to generate unique research in the field of Biological Anthropology.
I am committed akin to an exemplary scholar to diligently pursue my learning goals at your campus and therefore, request a favourable review of my application. Sincerely
