The My Warwick Life feature gives an insight into staff and students’ lives at Warwick, considering both their work and social life on campus. This week we hear from David Lees, Postgraduate Researcher, French Studies.

I realised I wanted to study at Warwick when...

I noticed the greenery and realised how friendly everyone seemed.

After finishing my degree I'd like to...

continue to teach at this level. I have found teaching to be a highly rewarding experience and would like to develop this interest.

Winning a WATE PGR Award in 2012 has really opened up new opportunities for me as a PhD student and as a teacher. It's given me the confidence to pursue new teaching methods and materials, while also allowing me to become involved in training some of my colleagues, something which I never thought would happen when I began the PhD.

On a typical day you'll find me...

working on my research in the French department or teaching in a classroom! There isn't really a typical day for a PhD student- one moment I could be organising a conference, the next moment leading a seminar.

It would be really useful to work more closely with...

fellow PhD students in other language departments. I think it would be fruitful to develop greater links with colleagues in German, Italian and the new Spanish department to share research ideas.

I had a really useful discussion recently with...

the Graduate School staff. Their job involves far more than checking paperwork; they are highly knowledgeable and approachable people who can provide invaluable advice. I also had a really informative conversation about my experiences with a friend in Warwick Business School who is just finishing her PhD.

I recently attended an event where...

other PhD students talked about their Warwick lives. Research can often be an isolating business, so meeting to share experiences is an invaluable opportunity. The Graduate School run regular PG lunches in the PG Hub which are always really interesting.

I am really enjoying working on...

the French department student mentoring scheme and year abroad webpages. Both projects have helped to develop relationships between undergraduate and postgraduate students in the department, and I think have helped to enhance our student experience.

I recently learnt that...

Warwick continues to attract high-calibre students in large numbers in the new tuition fee era.

Warwick is unique because...

of its student population. We often talk about the Warwick brand, but part of this must be the dynamism and enthusiasm of Warwick students, not to mention the diversity of the population.

The best thing about working at Warwick is...

the people, both staff and students. It's rare to find an environment in which everyone seems to enjoy their work.

If I could change one thing about the University it would be...

the food and drink outlets, an area which I know the University is seeking to improve.

I recently went to the Arts Centre to watch...

a French language production of Ubu Roi, a dark comedy.

I usually travel to campus by...

A combination of train and bus or car share.