Graduation 2026: A PhD journey that crossed borders

Raj Kaithwar’s academic journey has taken him from a small city in India to the international stage, where his research was recently recognised with one of the leading honours in International Relations.

Raj says receiving his PhD from UNSW Canberra is a deeply personal milestone, one made even more meaningful by the pride of his parents and loved ones.

His journey reached an extraordinary moment when he became the first person from outside the United Kingdom to receive the prestigious Michael Nicolson Thesis Prize, awarded by the British International Studies Association. 

“Being from a marginalised community in India, this moment is a vindication of my belief that with the right kind of support, everyone has the potential to excel,” Raj said.

“Academically, receiving the doctorate has brought a sense of confidence in me, about my ideas, that I had never experienced before.”

Raj’s research reflects the curiosity and imagination he brought to his PhD journey. His thesis explores the relationship between nature and geopolitics through the environmental history of the Partition of British India, with a particular focus on the rivers of the Bengal Delta.

Rather than viewing geopolitics as something shaped only by human decisions, Raj’s research asks what happens when nature and nonhuman life are also recognised as active forces.

The judging panel described his thesis as “highly original and ambitious”, praising its contribution to scholarship on borders, critical geopolitics and more-than-human international relations.

Raj believes the judges were particularly interested in the way his work centres nature and nonhuman beings in understanding the violence of geopolitics.

“In the thesis, I criticised geopolitics as an anthropocentric practice, embedded in colonial and capitalist norms, that thrives by controlling and harnessing the liveliness of the Earth and its diverse beings,” he said.

“But I also demonstrated that the Earth is never completely silenced. The planet and its diverse forces retain the potential to destabilise any geopolitical arrangement.”

For Raj, that idea offers hope for a kinder and more ecologically sensitive future.

It also reflects his willingness to follow a question wherever it leads, even when that means disappearing down a few “rabbit holes”, as he describes it.

That curiosity was encouraged by his supervisors, Professor Anthony Burke and Dr Tom Roberts, who provided the academic guidance, care and challenge that helped shape his research.

“Prof. Anthony Burke always showed immense care and academic rigour in supervising me,” Raj said.

“His advice, sometimes contrary to my strong beliefs, have been humbling but necessary in nurturing my path.”

Raj’s PhD experience was shaped by more than his research, it was also defined by the community he found, and helped create, at UNSW Canberra.

Some of his favourite memories involve sharing lunch with friends and discussing their lives, their research and the world around them. These friendships grew into shared experiences, from exploring Canberra and watching movies to helping manage Arc, the student club.

Raj also remembers preparing for the Three Minute Thesis competition, where he drew on creative and dramatic ideas to communicate his research to a wider audience.

Although he did not win the Faculty heat, the experience became one of the highlights of his time at UNSW Canberra.

“What made it memorable was the collective effort of the generous School of Humanities & Social Sciences mentors and my friends in chiselling the performance,” he said.

It was this combination of intellectual freedom and personal connection that made UNSW Canberra a meaningful place for Raj to undertake his PhD.

He says the University’s small size helped foster a strong sense of belonging, supported by academics, professional staff, fellow students and the library team.

“I have had a great experience researching at UNSW because of the amazing mentoring by my supervisors,” said Raj.

“My research thrived and I developed a strong belonging to the university’s spaces because of the numerous friends I made on campus.”

Following graduation, Raj hopes to transform his thesis into a book and continue researching issues he cares deeply about. He hopes his work will contribute to conversations about nature, geopolitics and the possibility of a more inclusive future for humans and nonhumans alike.

“I can’t wait to share my research with everyone, through research articles and hopefully a book,” he said.

For those considering postgraduate study at UNSW Canberra, Raj says the University’s size is part of its strength.

“It’s a small community but one that is deeply caring and strongly invested in enhancing your skills and experience.”