Nsikan Oghenemega Umoh

Business PhD

As Nsikan advanced through her studies, earning both a BSc in Accounting and an MSc in International Business, she found herself increasingly drawn to research. This passion led her to pursue a Business PhD at Birmingham City University, where she has been supported by a vibrant academic community and inspired to explore her interests in human behaviour and its impact on organisational performance.

Growing up, I wanted to be an accountant but did not understand all the options available to achieve this dream. As I progressed through my educational and career ladder and after undertaking a BSc in Accounting and an MSc in International Business, I noticed I was continually drawn to research.  

During my Master’s, I built on my abilities to write about and review topics with my supervisor. This inspired me to push my curiosity further by pursuing a Business PhD at Birmingham City University.  

Two of my older sisters had attended BCU and had lots of positive reviews. I trusted their opinions and have not regretted my decision once to undertake my PhD journey here. The application process was rigorous, yet supportive, which I believe is extremely important for this level of education. 

As well as having intellectual conversations, I’ve always loved writing and critically analysing texts and literature. My PhD journey is an extremely fulfilling experience, as it gives me the opportunity to explore my burning desire to investigate pertinent issues and positively contribute to knowledge, development and analysis. I am a keen problem solver and find it exciting to engage in my hobby whilst also making positive contributions to my field. 

I also find the opportunity to engage with experts across diverse fields at BCU very stimulating and rewarding - it’s a brilliant intellectual challenge. 

I chose my area of research because of my keen interest in understanding different spheres of human behaviour and personality traits, and how they can impact organisational performance. I also believe that my area of research on these areas within SMEs in Nigeria and the UK has not been fully explored before, and I am excited to add literature in this area. 

I have fitted in well to the BCU research community so far, because of the amazing support I have received from my supervisors, staff and fellow researchers. I am particularly excited about BCU’s focus on inclusivity, equity and fairness to allow research opportunities to a diverse community.

The postgraduate research induction I had at BCU was amazing and provided lived insights into the PhD experience. Listening to and engaging with past and present students empowered me to continue in the pursuit of this degree; particularly because they echoed similar fears I had before starting the PhD programme. Staff also educated research students on expectations, and reiterated their availability to provide support throughout the course. 

So far, BCU has offered me lots of support during my PhD journey. This includes academic support, where I have had amazing supervisor meetings from the application stage until now. Their wealth of education, knowledge, skills and experience are excellent: I am very grateful to have them by my side. The tutors for my PGCert have also been extremely supportive, providing valuable knowledge and skills to support me in my course. 

The facilities and non-academic and wellbeing support for students at BCU are also great, such as the library services and mental health support. I am excited to continue to explore these services as I navigate the uncertain journey of a PhD. 

There are lots of networking opportunities available for research students too. For example, I am working with the team on the That’s Me! project as it fosters inclusivity and diversity, whilst aiming to remove barriers global majority students may face when considering postgraduate research study. 

Since starting at BCU, I have evolved very positively. My time management and coordination skills have greatly improved: materials for modules are always uploaded ahead of time, making it easy to study promptly. I also feel I have become more critical in my thinking and discussions, which has in turn improved my writing skills too.  

I feel empowered and as if I am gaining lots of new knowledge here. My proudest moment so far has been to work with the That’s Me! team to share my experiences and empower other women to undertake research degrees. This was crucial for me, as I have experienced several constraints that could have deterred me, such as being a single mother, but with support and perseverance, I have been resilient and pushed forward for my PhD. 

My ambition for the future is to make effective contributions in corporate governance. Currently, I am interested in small and medium enterprises (SMEs), particularly in emerging economies. I believe my research will undertake a root-cause analysis of underlying challenges in corporate governance, and how they can be managed to attain optimal business outcomes for stakeholders and organisations. 

For me, BCU offers me the opportunity to express myself and my potential, brings me new challenges, and raises my aspirations for the future. As a result, I believe BCU empowers others to be better versions of themselves.