New environments and with fresh perspectives at the University of Sydney

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This spring I’ve had the opportunity to go on a research stay to the University of Sydney in Australia. What started as a simple email to an archaeologist who works on Pacific island archaeology, because of my interest in one of his books, turned into the idea that we could collaborate and share research methodologies while also presenting my work to a new audience and talk with students hoping to study abroad, all while being able to visit home for the first time since 2022.

During the last two months, I’ve presented my doctoral research at the Vere Gordon Childe Centre, a research centre at the University of Sydney researching humanity through deep time. Studying Luxembourgish cartographical history means that people in Australia have little or no knowledge about my topic, so it was a worthwhile experience to explain and discuss it with them. I’m so used to discussing it with German, French, Luxembourgish, Belgian and Dutch people that I realise I don’t often explain the very basic context. I was also asked new questions that I hadn’t yet really considered, allowing me to view my topic as an audience member. This allowed me to strip back the explanation of my topic in a very raw way – an experience that I’m sure will help in the writing of the introductory and methodological sections of my thesis. I also talked about my academic journey through four different countries with prospective masters and PhD students, showing them the possibilities of postgraduate study in Europe.

While in Australia, I’ve benefitted from many long exchanges with researchers from all over the world, sharing research ideas and advice. Luxembourg is certainly a diverse place, but it’s been enlightening to dive into a completely different environment filled with scholars with fresh perspectives and new critiques of my work.

It’s certainly been a refreshing and enjoyable experience, continuing my research in one of the world’s most beautiful cities!