Founders Awards for Excellence in Education (nominated by colleagues)

Phil Crang - Outstanding Doctoral Supervision

Phil (Geography) has supervised 42 PhD students to successful completion over his career, the vast majority at Royal Holloway. Their work has shaped the field of Cultural Geography, in both the UK and internationally. Student testimonials highlighted Phil's humility and the way he quietly extends and deepens the experience of his postgraduate research students. One student described how Phil’s “unassuming manner was crucial for me developing a strong sense that I belonged”. Another said that Phil made academia “welcoming through his humanity, patience and generosity of time”. Students told us about the values of “intellectual curiosity” and collegiality that they learnt from Phil, as they went on to pursue successful careers in academia, business and public institutions.