Skip to main content

Gargi Vyas

Gargi Vyas (India)
PhD Candidate in Political Science

Gargi was born in Jabalpur, India but due to her father's military career, she moved frequently throughout India. Her father worked as a peacekeeper in Sudan for a few years, and his experiences contributed to her interest in International Relations - she is currently researching economic sanctions and international security and cooperation.

Gargi chose UK due to professors' research interests and their openness in talking with her as a prospective student. "They were great ... I always felt like they really wanted me to come," she said. When she was offered a Teaching Assistant position, she knew that she would gain valuable teaching experience for a career in academia.
 
Presenting at academic conferences this past year has been a highlight for Gargi. She also passed her comprehensive exams in Spring 2019, a milestone in her journey. In addition to securing UK funding for conference travel, Gargi received a fellowship that has allowed her to dedicate two semesters solely to research. She has also enjoyed being a part of the UK community, volunteering at the Feast for Equality with the Office of LGBTQ* Resources. 
 
Before attending UK, Gargi did her undergraduate work at the University of Richmond, double majoring in Political Science and International Studies. She initially started as a Physics major. "Back home, I had to choose what I wanted to do after 10th grade, and I chose the science stream. I liked the idea of going to undergrad (in the U.S.) and being able to explore for a bit before finalizing a topic," she said.