Alican Pamir PhD Film Studies

Hi, I'm Alican Pamir and I studied PhD Film Studies within Humanities at the University of Southampton.

I think, the best research in the area of film studies is in the UK and the best academic centre among them all is at the University of Southampton. The decisive factor for me was that my area of interest was also shared by authoritative figures of the field making up the department’s academic staff.

Alican came from Istanbul to study for a PhD in Film Studies in Southampton.

Why did you study in the UK – and Southampton in particular?

After receiving a BA in film studies and an MA in script-writing and working for a design periodical and for television, I decided to go back to the academic world and become an academic in the area of film studies.

I think, the best research in the area of film studies is in the UK and the best academic centre among them all is at the University of Southampton. The decisive factor for me was that my area of interest was also shared by authoritative figures of the field making up the department’s academic staff. My meeting with the Head of Film, Professor Tim Bergfelder, who is now my supervisor, convinced me that I was right in my decision.

What is your degree, exactly? Why did you choose that particular one?

I am doing an MPhil/PhD course in Film Studies. I’ve always loved cinema and tried to look at film through different perspectives all my life. If you are not a filmmaker, one way of looking at cinema is through popular or professional film criticism and the other is being an academic in film studies where you can research certain questions about cinema, which are not covered already by other scholars. With the latter, it is more an in-depth as well as a wider look into the subject; it also becomes a more personal quest in understanding.

What do you enjoy most about your degree?

There is a point in your life, if you’re a cinephile, where you think watching films is not enough; a point where you want to be productive about your passion. I would like to think of my research as my own creative way of using this passion as a contribution to the field of film. That idea, the search for ideas and meanings and sharing them with my supervisor, is what I enjoy the most at the moment.

What’s it like to study at a UK university? Is it what you expected?

I am very happy to be studying at the University of Southampton. Even though I am a new student, I can easily see that the University established itself around the principle of helping build a future for its students. Whether you want to become an academic or just want to go into research, Southampton prepares you for both in the most complete manner. It has excelled my expectations in that there is much support to help you with your study. There are organised courses open to all graduate students that help in research, writing and discussion. And, of course the friendly environment always helps; the student body is well organised, the way they create opportunities to get together makes it easier to meet new people.

Are you planning to get a job after your degree, or do you want to stay in education?

After I complete my studies I want to return to İstanbul and stay in academia, continue research on and teach film by using the knowledge and capabilities that I will gain at the University of Southampton.