Profile: John Shearman

What attracted you to the University of Reading?

The University of Reading contains the world's best construction research school. After careful research on the construction schools throughout the world, The University of Reading shines above the rest. My particular research subject also involves the discipline of archaeology. Reading is also known for this. The combination of disciplines and the willingness of the departments to jointly cooperate and guide me on my research was the deciding factor in the university choice for my PhD studies.

Studying at the University contains several important aspect that encourage research. First, the academic staff is not only extremely knowledgable but offer encouragment in performing the hard work necessary for the degree. Students as well offer the support and trade ideas and assist each other in the quest for knowledge. The library is supportive in not only offering current publications but have an IT staff willing to help in any software or computer difficulties.

Since I am a part-time student, my visits to Reading allow me to interface with my instructors and fellow students and concentrate on each important step of my research. The staff always assist in making sure I have the tools and the quite area to work from during my stay.

Have you experienced any difficulties?

Living or staying in a different country always takes some adjustment but the comradeship of the students assist in any temporary anxieties. I find that The University of Reading is a multi-cultural village that makes any student studying here feel comfortable.

What are you planning to do when you finish your course?

My hope is that after the successful completion of my program, I will be able to use it to my commercial benefit and travel the world expanding my research subject and applying the principals of my research to actual situations.