Could you please introduce yourself and share what inspired you to choose King’s for your PhD studies as an international student?
Hi, I’m Harizza. I’m a nursing lecturer from Indonesia. I’ve been teaching since 2018, mainly in disaster, community and emergency nursing. King’s is very familiar to me. It’s a well-known university and I’ve heard about its excellence in nursing since my undergraduate years. In 2025, it even became the first-ranked nursing school according to QS World University Rankings. Therefore, it has always been my dream to continue my studies at King’s. And finally, I am able to do so by becoming a PhD student at King’s in 2024.
How did your supervisors support you during the pre-registration phase, especially in developing your initial research proposal?
I had several interviews with my supervisors during the pre-registration process. During these interviews, my supervisors provided feedback to help me develop the background, research questions, and methods of my research proposal without requiring significant modifications to the topic. Later, after being admitted, the research proposal expanded and more detailed feedback was given, resulting in a robust proposal to be undertaken.
Could you provide a brief overview of your PhD research topic and the methods you plan to use?
I am aiming to develop a digital educational intervention to enhance the community’s disaster preparedness in Indonesia. To achieve this, I conducted an umbrella review to summarise the available evidence on disaster preparedness education. Subsequently, I will adopt a co-design approach, involving relevant stakeholders, to develop the prototype, which will follow four phases: discover, define, develop and deliver. In the discover phase, I will use focus group discussions to explore the issues and challenges faced by the community in acquiring new knowledge and skills related to disaster preparedness. For the define phase, I will utilise participatory analysis to interpret the focus group results. In the develop phase, I will employ brainstorming and paper prototyping methods as baseline data for creating the software prototype. Once the prototype is ready, I will use a think-aloud technique to investigate participants’ experiences during its use. The testing of the prototype marks the final phase of the research, which is the deliver phase.
What has your experience been like so far as an international student in the King’s PhD programme?
It has been a wonderful experience! I've realised that King’s has truly supported me, both academically and in terms of my well-being. The university offers numerous training sessions and workshops throughout the year, which I can choose from to enhance my skills and advance my research. As an international student whose first language isn't English, I find many workshops designed to improve speaking, writing and reading abilities. The librarians are also fantastic, providing helpful support during my umbrella review. Additionally, well-being activities organised by NMPC and King’s Doctoral College, such as visits to famous London sites, painting therapy and board games with other PhD students, have been very beneficial. The support from my supervisors, fellow PhD students and the Faculty is invaluable, especially for someone like me who is far from home and family.
How supportive have you found the PGR community and team during your early PhD journey? What types of support and resources have been most helpful?
They truly are fantastic. I am very grateful to be part of a supportive and helpful environment for my PhD studies. Alongside my fellow PhD students, I can share and discuss my research progress while also seeking their suggestions. Moreover, the most valuable aspect for me is that I can turn to them for emotional support. Many of us are international students, so we face similar challenges. Although undertaking a PhD is an individual journey, having this kind of supportive environment makes me feel like we are all on this journey together. I consider them my family here in London. The support from the PGR officer Erica is also extremely helpful. Whenever there are administrative concerns during my studies, I can ask her for advice and she responds swiftly and effectively.
How do you see your PhD research contributing to your field or benefiting your home country in the future?
My PhD research will be carried out in my home country, Indonesia, which is highly susceptible to disasters. Therefore, I expect that the results will be relevant to Indonesia’s communities and will help improve their disaster preparedness. I hope that the prototype can be tested in a feasibility or RCT study beyond my PhD project so that it can be further developed to enhance its effectiveness. If further improved and proven effective, I believe it could become accessible nationwide. I also hope that my research findings will serve as a baseline for implementation in other areas or countries facing similar challenges in disaster preparedness.
What are your main goals and aspirations for your PhD and your career after graduation?
My main goal is to apply the knowledge and skills I gained during my PhD studies in Indonesia's academic field. Since Indonesia is a disaster-prone country, I aim to raise awareness among future nurses about their important role in disaster management and the many ways they can contribute to their country's development. I also want to continue my research project after completing my PhD, seeking opportunities to develop it further through collaboration with government agencies and non-government organisations.
What advice would you give to other international students considering a PhD at King’s, particularly regarding early-stage support and settling into the programme?
My advice is to trust yourself and your research journey. If others can successfully complete their PHDs, you can too, as long as you have the enthusiasm to learn and grow alongside your studies. You will receive the necessary support to conduct your research and complete your PhD at King’s. Keep regular communication with your supervisors so that they are kept informed of your progress and any challenges you face. Additionally, you'll be part of a welcoming and friendly community with wonderful fellow PhD students. Don’t hesitate to bond with them and ask for any advice you need, whether it concerns your research or tips on settling into campus and London life successfully. Staying in touch with the PGR programme officer is also very helpful for managing your administrative tasks. Furthermore, London is a highly multicultural city; I believe you'll find a community that shares your culture and language, helping you feel at home even when you're far from it. Wishing you the best of luck with your application and your PhD journey!