Dr Florina Tufescu
Current Employer/Organisation Name
Project WILLOW: Wilde Online on the Web
What have you been doing since leaving Exeter, and what are you doing now?
I have been working as a translator, copyeditor and ESL teacher. I have also designed and taught literary courses in Sweden from A level to MA-level. Please see my LinkedIn profile for additional details of my professional experience https://www.linkedin.com/in/florinatufescu/. I have also continued to do unpaid literary research. My main research initiative after the PhD has been Project WILLOW: Wilde Online on the Web https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6673662429005680640/.
Why did you choose this career? And what do you enjoy most about your work?
I do not exactly have a career but rather a number of professional interests which I have been fortunate enough to be able to pursue, albeit with a greater deal of effort than I have been financially rewarded for. The benefits have been of a mostly immaterial kind so far.
What did you enjoy most about your programme and what was the biggest highlight?
Having Regenia Gagnier as my supervisor, Tony Simoes da Silva as PhD mentor, participating in the Exeter Teaching Assistantship programme for PhD students and shadowing Chris Brooks and Eddie Jones. My colleagues were fantastic as well!
What did you enjoy most about studying here?
The relaxed, democratic atmosphere, the freedom to pick my topics of research and to largely choose my own study path, the endless literary talks in pubs, houses, at conferences with like-minded people. The town is quite lovely, too, with some gorgeous Victorian buildings, a few great restaurants. I made many friends in Exeter whom I would love to reconnect with. the deadlines-just kidding.
Why did you choose to study at Exeter?
Prof. Regenia Gagnier agreed to support my application for the Overseas Research Award Scheme.
What skills and experiences have been most useful for your career?
Everything I have ever learnt has been valuable to me.
What advice would you give to a current student who wishes to pursue your career?
Pursue your own dreams and vision. Be critical, self-critical, listen to genuine advice and authentic views but do not let anyone else decide your path, your topic of study etc. Always listen and wait for your own voice, do not take shortcuts, do the proper research. Always be ethical. And enjoy the research, the writing process, the intellectual companionship! Carpe diem, carpe verbum, carpe mundum.
What are your plans for the future?
Find a suitable academic position that would enable me to fully develop my research interests and teaching abilities.
