Department of Engineering / News / Gates Cambridge class of 2021 – Emma Houiellebecq

Department of Engineering

Gates Cambridge class of 2021 – Emma Houiellebecq

Gates Cambridge class of 2021 – Emma Houiellebecq

Emma Houiellebecq is the recipient of not one – but two – Gates Cambridge Scholarships. As she prepares for a PhD in Engineering this October, we caught up with Emma to find out more about her experience so far and the importance of ‘dreaming big’ and following your ambitions.

The University of Cambridge is an amazing place to study. It draws some of the world’s most progressive and innovative thinkers and allows them to develop their ideas and flourish in a supportive environment.

Emma Houiellebecq

I feel incredibly honoured to be the recipient of two Gates Cambridge Scholarships, first for my Master’s and now for my PhD. My MPhil in Engineering for Sustainable Development was fundamental in facilitating the advancement of my career and sharpening the analytical skills that have been essential to my role in the humanitarian sector. 

It was during my MPhil dissertation research that I first focused on the topic of urban resilience. This, in turn, inspired my decision to work with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and to undertake doctoral research, specifically exploring how to strengthen the resilience of critical infrastructure (such as water, electricity, and health services) in fragile urban contexts.

My doctoral research will build upon my recent work experiences in the humanitarian sector in countries affected by ongoing armed conflict and natural disaster. These fragile urban contexts in southern and eastern Africa and the Middle East for example, are facing a convergence of protracted insecurity, climate risks and environmental degradation. My international experiences with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and, more recently, with the ICRC, have been invaluable in providing me with a grounded understanding of the myriad of daily challenges and complexities faced in such fragile, dynamic environments.

The University of Cambridge is an amazing place to study. It draws some of the world’s most progressive and innovative thinkers and allows them to develop their ideas and flourish in a supportive environment. Such an environment fuels and inspires your own passions. 

I was especially drawn to the Department of Engineering’s Centre for Sustainable Development, which emphasises the broader role of an engineer – not only in that engineer’s field of technical expertise, but also in navigating the complex dynamics between physical, natural, and social issues. The Centre’s focus on tackling some of the world’s most critical challenges resonates with my own values and career ambitions. Since completing my MPhil at the Centre in 2017, it has been amazing to see the different directions people are taking in their careers and the impacts that they are already making.

For others who are looking to follow a similar route, I definitely recommend gaining some practical experience of the challenges being faced in real situations. It will help determine your level of interest and passion for undertaking research that addresses these identifiable issues. 

I would also encourage others to dream big and be proactive. Studying at the University of Cambridge seemed like a far-fetched dream at the beginning. Nevertheless, I set it as my goal and took steps to try to make it a reality. In the end, I was very fortunate to have Cambridge believe in my vision and accept my application. 

About the Gates Cambridge class of 2021

This year’s cohort comprises 74 new scholars. They will be joined by 10 scholars who are deferring from 2020. The 84 scholars, who come from 30 countries, will begin their studies in October. The class comprises 42 women, 31 men and one non-binary scholar. The Gates Cambridge scholarship programme, which this year celebrates its 20th anniversary, is the University of Cambridge’s leading international postgraduate scholarship programme.

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