It's the final episode of our third series and we sign-off in style with PhD candidate Tobe Nneli.

Tobe's research focuses on how social media-enabled connections between citizens at ‘home’ and in the diaspora shape citizen perceptions of state legitimacy in new democracies.

Specifically, his study seeks to understand historical and cultural factors that shape citizens’ perceptions of state legitimacy; interrogate debates on how social media provides agency for citizens at home and in the diaspora to engage themselves and the state; explore how such relations determine political/development outcomes in the home country; and assess how these are applicable in Nigeria.

Tobe also talks to us about his pathway back into higher education from the private sector, the demands of self-directed study and offers up his advice for those considering the challenge of a PhD for themselves.

For the penultimate episode in this series, we welcome Claire Burchett for a discussion about her PhD research: Everyday victimhood on social media: the framing of Jews and anti-Semitism in the populist radical right online space in France, Germany and Austria.

Claire's research examines three radical right political parties: the National Front in France, Alternative for Germany, and the Freedom Party of Austria, with a particular focus on posts made by the parties and party officials on social media platforms to see how they talk about Jews, anti-Semitism and Israel and if that has changed over time.

Through her research, Claire hopes to analyse the different, overt and implicit, ways in which the parties communicate anti-Semitism, including how surface-level sympathy for Jewish communities is used as a political weapon; how the reactions and comments of other social media users can result in anti-Semitic amplification, and the role of victimhood narratives within this; and how different social media platforms differ in their enablement of anti-Semitic discourse due to their regulatory and technological differences.

After the UK voted to leave the European Union in 2016, a nationwide network of pro-EU movements and groups emerged. For many, the focus of their efforts was to convince both the public and government to reverse course and think again about leaving the bloc entirely.

Other groups campaigned for a so-called 'soft Brexit', respecting the result of the vote but pushing for the UK to remain in a customs union or in closer alignment with the EU than many in the pro-Brexit camp had called for.

But, when the UK officially left the EU on 2020, much of the discourse seemed to die away and campaign groups fell silent. So what changed and where are they now?

In this episode of Call My Supervisor! we speak to PhD student Kai Steemers, whose research is focussed on the activities past, present and future of pro-EU movements in the UK.

We also catch up with Kai about life as a PhD, his experience of teaching at King's and his advice for those thinking about pursuing their studies.

The transition away from fossil fuels and towards greener, more sustainable sources of energy in the UK have picked up pace in the last decade, with successive governments seeking more prominent roles for the state in building capacity and harnessing the technology needed to make the UK self-sufficient.

But do the roots of green energy policy go back much further, to a time before the global financial crisis and to the New Labour years of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown?

In this episode of Call My Supervisor!, we speak to PhD student Richard Power Sayeed about his research into the history of Labour's climate and sustainable energy policy making and what, if anything, drove efforts to decarbonise at that time.

We also chat to Richard about his findings so far, the inspiration behind his research and his experience of life as a PhD student at King's College London.

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The 'long '60s' are in focus for the second episode in this series of Call My Supervisor! as we welcome doctoral candidate James Mowatt to discuss his research into that famous era.

While many recall the period (broadly defined as 1955 - 1975) as being one defined by great social change, solidarity and national renewal, James's research looks a little closer and speaks to those who were there. Specifically, James is researching the political economy of social and political movements in London during that time, in order to interrogate the political theory of solidarity.

We also speak to James, from the Department of Political Economy at King's College London, about returning to academia after a period working in the private sector, the personal motivations behind his choice of research and his advice for those considering further study too.

Cristina Ramirez, a doctoral candidate from King's College London's Department of Political Economy, joins us to unpack the complex relationship between populist leaders and electoral institutions. Through the lens of her research on Donald Trump and Jair Bolsonaro, Cristina reveals how the centralised electoral system in Brazil might just outshine the US when it comes to resisting populist pressures.

Our conversation also uncovers Cristina's academic journey and she shares candid insights into the trials and triumphs of pursuing a PhD, emphasizing resilience, adaptability, and the indispensable role of a support network. Cristina's story is a reminder of the balancing act required in academia, from mastering new skills to maintaining focus amidst the inevitable challenges.

For the final episode in our second series, we welcome Laura Montecchio, a PhD student studying with with the Department of Political Economy at King's College London.

Laura's research is entitled The Paradox of the Populist Radical Right Elitism in France, Germany, and Italy and she talks to hosts Clara Goilav and Daniel Mansfield about the paradox she believes is apparent in the populist radical right.

Laura posits that, despite their anti-elite discourses, populist radical right parties can themselves be considered elitist in the way they have worked to delegitimise minority groups and counter-voices (“the other”) in favour of their own “in” elitist group (“the people”).

Laura's also talks about her PhD experience King's, the weather in the UK and offers her advice for those considering further study.

Do cryptoassets pose a credible threat to the United States' economic power?

In this episode, we welcome Sebastian Ricketts to discuss his research into US economic power and whether the emergence of cryptoassets could challenge the dollar hegemony on the world stage.

Sebastian also reflects on the challenges facing regulators and policy-makers as digital assets proliferate, as well as moves by nation states and central banks to respond to growing consumer appetite for Bitcoin, Etherium and others.

And, as usual, we ask Sebastian to talk about his experience as a PhD student, the challenges, and advice he would offer to anybody thinking about pursuing their studies.