Yang Wu

What is your PhD about? 

My PhD project looks at anti-corruption narratives. Governments and organisations don’t just make anti-corruption policy; they market it and sell it to the officials and the public. By telling attractive stories, the anti-corruption drive would be boosted so that the officials and the public would buy their policy and be self-regulated. My research focuses on how these anti-corruption stories are constructed and how the narrative elements are merged into the policy texts.

Why did you choose Sussex / CSC? 

I was looking for research institution which was specialist in the area of corruption studies. I found that very few research institutions clearly engaged in this field. For me, the Sussex Centre for the Study of Corruption was outstanding for its specialty. I read some findings of the Centre’s research, and I was excited that the research team was strong with comprehensive focus on this area. I realised it was exactly suitable for my research and I believed the Centre would help me on developing the knowledge in this field.

And, Sussex is beautiful with nice scenery and greens, which is attractive to me; a good place to keep calm and carry on your research.

What were you doing before you started your PhD?

I had just started a research career before doing the PhD.

I have taken part in some research projects on the relevant area of my PhD. 

Do you have any advice for someone considering a PhD?

The centre has made a lot of efforts on bridging the anti-corruption studies and the anti-corruption practice. It creates opportunities for us to communicate with the anti-corruption researchers and practitioners from various sectors. If you are doing corruption related research, you should come to The Centre for the Study of Corruption and work with the excellent researchers here. We can expand our views and knowledge together.