Renza Iqbal joint ESPhil for a research stay in February 2020. Soon she will return home. In the following interview she reflects on her research stay at ESPhil.
Where are you from?
I am from the Southern part of India, from a state called Kerala. However, I was born in the UAE and over the years have lived in different parts of India.
Where did you do your studies/What did you study?
I did my bachelor’s in commerce, during when I also engaged myself in events outside my academics, which drew my interest to media studies. I went on to complete my Master’s in Mass Communication from Pondicherry University. I also pursued a diploma in Rural Development at the same time. Currently, I am enrolled in the Fellow Programme at MICA, where I am researching on digital cultures in India.
Why did you choose Erasmus School of Philosophy to do your PhD?
My interest in digital cultures drew me to ESPhil. A literature hunt steered me to the works of Prof. Payal Arora, and soon I was flipping through her book The Next Billion Users. My home institute - MICA offers its fellows an opportunity to collaborate with foreign professors who possess expertise in our research area of interest, and thus promotes fellows to explore the global academia front. This led me here.
What is your research about?
My research focuses on the intersection of culture and technology, and how it affects inclusivity. It is about decolonising the narrative around terms such as privacy and bringing the next billion users to the forefront, challenging universal designs and its viability.
How was your research stay at ESPhil?
My time at Erasmus University has been very rewarding in terms of learning and exposure. The School of Philosophy is indeed a haven for bright scholars. I felt accepted as a fellow scholar in no time and was able to use every opportunity to learn and unlearn with my peers. As a member of the feminist reading group and the activity committee, I soon became friends with the staff and students at ESPhil, helping me  become a part of the social fabric at the campus. I also attended a couple of workshops on freedom and inequality, conducted as a part of 'Inequality against Freedom: Economic Power, Markets, and the Workplace' (InAF). I hope to extend my association with ESPhil by continuing to work with these professors and scholars.
What are your impressions of the Erasmus University and the city Rotterdam?
I had a splendid learning experience at Erasmus University. I particularly remember being enthralled by Woke, a theatre performance by Apphia Campbell that follows two women’s fight for civil rights. I also enjoyed attending lectures such as The Invisible Threat of Personalization by Professor Wehrle, and A Joyful Economy – Why do we work so hard? by Professor Govert Buijs. I have a tacit moral alignment with Erasmus' philosophy of inclusivity and diversity. I hope to inculcate these values not only in my career as an academic but also in my day-to-day life.
Rotterdam is lovely, I love how well planned the city is. It is full of sculptures and the architecture is fascinating too. It was a pleasure to be here.