Karen Theilade
Denmark
PhD in Sociology and Gender Studies
Karen returned to Canterbury to further her studies towards a PhD after she did her Bachelor of Honours in Sociology at the University of Canterbury and her Masters at the University of Copenhagen. “I decided to return to Canterbury because of my lecturer’s extremely high skills and knowledge combined with extraordinary support for all her students, including me.”
Once she has completed her studies, Karen intends to return to Denmark and work in an organisation that combines research with providing support for people in the areas relating to gender, sexuality and ethnicity.
“I am therefore delighted to have been appointed as a national committee member of the New Zealand Women’s Studies Association.
Karen has found the support provided and detailed feedback given on her academic writing to be very helpful. “My PhD supervisors have been extremely supportive and feel personally responsible for my success.”
In her leisure time, Karen finds walking with friends in the nearby hills and mountains invigorating. She is training for her black belt and teaches karate at a University of Canterbury (Yoshukai) karate club. Karen is also involved in setting up the prize winning ‘Victory over Violence’ programme at local High Schools.