"I feel a great freedom and opportunity to explore the subject I am passionate about"

From an area in southern China with constant summer to Sweden with freezing winters. The contrast was big for Haihan Li when she first came to Gävle. Now she is happy that she chose doctoral studies at University of Gävle because it gives her great freedom to immerse herself in industrial economics.

Haihan Li is a PhD student in industrial economics and her studies focus on developing a deeper understanding of the decisions companies need to make when moving production from one country to another.

– I'm researching the process around it and what factors need to be considered in the decisions. It's a small university and I like doing research here. I enjoy the environment, feel safe and I'm happy that I chose to start researching at University of Gävle.

80 per cent of her employment involves research and the other 20 per cent involves teaching and supervising students.

– I really appreciate the support I get from my supervisor. It makes me feel inspired and make me want to do more research. At larger universities, a supervisor may be responsible for many more doctoral students, which makes it more difficult to keep in touch and get help with research. Here it is smaller and easier to keep in touch with each other.

"I have good conditions to carry out my research"

Haihan Li grew up in an area in southern China where it is almost always summer, she says. After studying for a period at the University of Nottingham in England, she started looking for PhD positions and then came into contact with the University of Gävle with the help from her supervisor in England.

– I was recommended for a research project here. At the time, I didn't know much about Sweden, but mostly thought it was a cold country in the Nordic region. But I thought it would be interesting to do research here, and now that I'm here I feel that I have good conditions to carry out my research.

Feels a great freedom

She also appreciates the environment on and around campus.

– The University of Gävle is welcoming and beautifully located with the park right next door and it is close to the city centre. The university has a fine library with a wealth of books where you can immerse yourself in what interests you. As a doctoral student, I feel a great freedom and opportunity to explore the subject I am passionate about, says Haihan Li.

Text: Anna Sällberg