Testimonials
Dr Charmaine Dambuza Kundai, Lecturer,
University of East London
I have learnt that there are two types of leaders in the world, one who tells you where to go and one who not only shows you the direction, but rather goes ahead of you and walks both with you and alongside you. Professor Piotrowska is the latter. She has been one of my biggest supporters and in moments where the harsh truth needed to be told she never held back and for that I am grateful. Her passion for knowledge is infectious and as one of her students I am grateful for the detailed attention she pays to her students, which pushes them beyond the limits they had set for themselves. My experience of having Professor Piotrowska as my Director of studies has been a life changing experience. In my years in education both as a student as well as a lecturer I am yet to meet someone with as much passion and zeal for not just knowledge but also her students. She goes the extra mile to ensure her students are not just meeting the required targets but also receive the required assistance that they need. She prepared us for the viva but also for job interviews. I cannot recommend her more highly and will be sending my own PhD students for additional mentoring and coaching. As years have gone by we have now become friends and I will always treasure our relationship.
Dr Priyanka Singh Shekhawat, Lecturer,
University of Leeds
Professor Piotrowska did more than preparing me academically, she prepared me for life. Too often we climb through life without a look back to express the connection we feel with others and the gratitude we feel for their presence in our lives. I was a young girl from a small town in India, and it was all I really knew. I could have been contented with that, but Prof. Piotrowska made me want to see what lay beyond the fields I knew, and for that I am forever grateful. I started my journey as an unruly Master’s student who under the guidance of Prof. Piotrowska became a skilled doctoral student, and now a fully fledged academic. She prepared me for my viva and then job interviews. Looking back on my life, I know it would have been drastically different if I hadn’t got Professor Agnieszka as my lecturer and then Director of Studies. Professor Piotrowska opened my eyes to what I could accomplish and what I could become in ways that I never would have imagined. She helped me find my voice in so many ways. Recently, she was the Maid of Honour at my wedding, and I know we will be friends forever.
Dr Babar Dogar Hussain, Lecturer, Manchester Metropolitan University
I met Professor Agnieszka Piotrowska as an MSc student at the University of Bedfordshire. She was always supportive and incredibly kind but something else happened too. She really saw something in my and my research abilities that was more than I saw myself. My PhD journey was challenging for a number of reasons and she always had my back. I was very unsure about my chosen subject and with her generous help I completely changed the topic of my PhD in the first semester of the journey. Being away from home and my family was the greatest challenge and at times I doubted whether I would ever reach my destination. There is no doubt of my mind that without Dr Piotrowska unwavering support I may not have ever got there. I was excellently prepared for my viva and also for the job interviews, and that was a training and support that she offered beyond the call of duty. Agnieszka (if I may) is always enthusiastic about learning about different cultures and that enthusiasm help navigate some of the cultural challenges I and other international students may have encountered. We are great friends now and my family too thinks of her exactly as that: family.
Ireneusz Koper, PhD Candidate,
Oxford Brookes University
I am immensely grateful for Agnieszka’s mentorship during my PhD studies, as her guidance not only helped me navigate the academic journey but also encouraged me to explore my identity on a deeper level. Her empathetic approach combined with her expertise allowed me to connect with my research in a way that felt both authentic and personally meaningful. I highly recommend her to anyone seeking a mentor who balances academic rigor with genuine personal support.
Salar Said, PhD student,
University of Staffordshire
I am excited to share my profound and transformative experience collaborating closely with Dr Agnieszka Piotrowska under her supervision as my Director of Studies. She was particularly exceptional in paying attention to my initial difficulties and challenges linked to cultural differences.Agnieszka's empathy and understanding have been particularly noteworth. She recognised the personal and academic challenges I faced but also recognised that I had something important to offer in terms of my research. She was forever giving me confidence and strength to carry on. She consistently offered a sympathetic ear and practical solutions., including helping with getting teaching positions and practicing for interviews. Her unwavering support significantly contributed to my ability to navigate the complexities of my research while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. As my journey is still ongoing, I am super excited to have her as my mentor.
