Today I had my viva voce at Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge (UK). I successfully defended my PhD thesis, “Norming the Other: Narrative Empathy Via Focalised Heterotopia.” I am Doctor Griffith.
I’ve kept my studies quiet because, well, I hate learning in public; I’ve had to do a lot of that in my life and I wanted this journey to be private. Also it was a huge experiment for all concerned; there was no guarantee of success.
I’ll give you more details in a few days when I’ve adjusted to the fact that HOLY SHIT I DID IT! I AM DOCTOR GRIFFITH !!!!
Nicola Griffith 
congratulations!
Congrats! Sounds like a really interesting thesis too.
Congrats, Nicola! Drinks on you!
@Lee, @Fiona, @Bruce: Thank you! There will be so many drinks…
Congratulations, Dr. Griffith!
Congratulations! I am in the middle of a thesis on Diana Wynne Jones, also using heterotopia as a way of talking about text. Would love to read your diss!
@Debbie: The university will make it available in a couple of weeks by PDF. At that point I’ll also post a link here. If you don’t see anything by, say, July 6, ping me, okay?
Many congratulations! Excellent news!
@Edward: I am so very pleased! It hasn’t sunk in yet. I’m guessing it’ll take a day or two. Many many thanks to you and Farah.
As someone who bailed on her master’s in history when it was almost done, I’m envious of your persistence. Congratulations!
Brava! Well done you – Dr Griffith!🏆🤸♀️🤾♀️🥂🌈☀️⚡️💥🎓🤗
What an awesome accomplishment! Congratulations :)
Ha! Looking at my academic career, I have three B.Sc., four majors and no M.Sc. let alone a Fudd. ) (P.Hd. Piled High and Deep as a buddy of mine said over a scotch – his Fudd is in Fiber Optics. He’s not as dim as he looks :0) )
@Sarah, @Terry, @Alisa: Thank you!
@Bruce: Yep, a have relatives who always refer to it as Piled Higher and Deeper :)
Good on you Doc!
Congratulations Dr. Nicola, I am constantly cheered by all you achieve, you are an shining example.
Congratulations!
Wow! Congratulations Doctor!
¡FELICITACIONES! / CONGRATULATIONS!
Wonderful
Welcome to the club!
Congratulations! Such good news.
@Vonda: Thank you! It’s been a pretty strange day, starting at 4:00 am (!!). Like having jet lag without the jet, y’know? I keep forgetting the most obvious things. I think I’m in shock–the most benign of shocks but not quite exactly…
What is this 4:00 a.m. of which you speak? (I do see it occasionally, though from the other direction.) Anyway, I am so pleased for you!
Congratulations Nicola! The bizarre requirements that you jump through various hoops AND make an original contribution to the sum total of human knowledge makes for some strange stresses in one’s life. That’s wonderful news, and I hope to read it when it gets online.
Best wishes,
David
@David: It took a while to get the hang of it, but then it was just a question of doing the work. And perhaps I shouldn’t admit it but I sorta enjoyed it :) I’m not sure when it’ll be available but I make sure I post when it is.
Congratulations again. What an achievement, Dr Griffith!
Congratulations!
In ’71 when I got my JD I asked my wife to call me doctor for a month!
Fantastic news! A huge well done (from a fellow queer crip!) xxxx
@heather: The cripness made the journey Extra Special as you can imagine but I got lots of help in that regard. Yay for reasonable accommodations!
Congratulations!
What a delightful surprise! Congratulations, Professor!
What a delightful surprise! Congratulations, Professor!
@Rosalie: The first time someone who doesn’t know me calls me Doctor I think it will really hit home. Right now, though, I’m still not sure it’s real..
No pills gonna cure my ills….That would be Kelley.
Congratulations, Dr. Griffith!