Benjamin Osei- Tutu - PhD
I chose Homerton College for my Postgraduate degree as I wanted to be a part of a diverse and inclusive environment, and needed to look no further than Homerton College.
Studying at Homerton
Homerton is a serene environment conducive for studying. Despite its size and student population, somehow the authorities (with the cooperation of students) are able to keep the campus tranquil at all times. The library and the other reading rooms are always quiet. This was very helpful to me, as I always struggled to work in my room.
My PhD in Law
My PhD is in commercial law (secured transactions law) – I worked on the inclusion of land within a particular framework of modern secured transactions in Ghana. My thesis argues that it is a more legally efficient arrangement: it enhances access to credit, and lowers the costs of credit. I also studied how far it is legitimate to take a legal framework from one country and transplant it to another with different social and economic issues, as well as a different legal culture. I compared Ghana with other states within anglophone sub Saharan Africa.
My best advice for prospective postgraduate students
A PhD is a marathon and not a sprint. In this long and arduous journey, the researcher needs to show up at work (behind the books or the screen), regardless of their mood at a particular time, for that may be their most productive day or time.
The Homerton Orchard
My favourite place at Homerton was the Orchard!! By the way, I am not sure I ever checked whether I could eat the apples in the Orchard. I feasted upon them quite often.
Next steps
I will return to my employers in law practice and teaching.
