Hello everyone,

I'm Antoinette!

I’m a British-Jamaican literary scholar and evolutionary anthropologist. My work uses the theoretical framework of evolutionary anthropology to explore the legacy of colonialism in the sciences, culture, art and, more broadly, our relationship with the rest of nature and how this shapes our understanding/depictions of human evolution.

I’ve previously published academic work with The Centre for Ecological Philosophy, contributing my essay “So-Called Canada” to the Songs of the Dead monograph and the Lauderdale House Exhibition. In this project I highlighted the value of indigenous knowledge in combatting the climate crisis, argued for the decolonisation of climate discourse and generally did some pretty interesting research on fire in the geological and cultural landscape.

Now, I’ve been offered a place at the University of Cambridge to undertake the following: 'Reorienting Evolution in Science Fiction: Cultural Evolution, Postcolonial Critique, and Caribbean Resilience in Nalo Hopkinson’s SF.'

'Reorienting Evolution' examines how Jamaican-Canadian science fiction (SF) author Nalo Hopkinson disrupts colonial trends in Science Fiction. Essentially I'll be examining how evolution is depicted in Caribbean literature as an act of resistance to a genre that has long used science to justify the exploitation of non-white (and therefore less "evolved" according to the West) bodies. This project advocates for further Caribbean cultural research, while filling a gap in the application of evolutionary anthropology to literary studies.

While this is a fantastic opportunity, as I’m sure you know, there’s a pretty major issue.

When I received my offer from Cambridge, I couldn’t smile. I couldn’t even really feel any sort of excitement. Because when I read: “Your minimum annual estimated financial liability is: £29,356.00” & “We cannot confirm your admission to the University of Cambridge until you have provided evidence that you have met all the conditions of your offer as listed below. The outstanding conditions of your offer are: Finance.” I knew that getting in based on my abilities was never the hard part. Somehow finding £30k, though, was a requirement I couldn’t quite figure out how to meet.

I’ve been in this position before. I was offered a place at Oxford for my Master’s. That offer had the same condition… and I had to withdraw. This time, I applied for every source of funding I could find, and now I’m here doing the unthinkable (for people like me): asking for help.

The truth is, I am excited. Incredibly excited. I’m proud of myself, which, for lots of us, is rare. I know I’ve worked hard. I know I’ve earned my place.

Honestly, I just want to do this PhD.

It takes a lot for people from my socio-economic background to make it this far. You know the type: families who think a Ferrero Rocher is a sign of immeasurable wealth. People who move house every couple of years until they finally get that permanent council home without flooring, but with exposed electrics. Children who go to school with more sugar than fibre in their bellies (if they had breakfast that day). Children who grow into adults who’ve never been able to paint the walls of their own home because the landlord would never let you, and who can afford to buy a house in this economy anyway? We’ve been homeless, below the poverty line, masquerading as ambitious, precocious, bright little things with an insatiable appetite for social mobility but really, we are just afraid of this being our lives forever.

I am excited, and I am afraid, and I am ambitious.

So, I’m fundraising for my PhD because without funding I won’t be able to do it and I really hope you can help.

If you can donate or share my fundraiser, I’d be truly grateful. While fundraising, I’m also reaching out to institutions that may be interested in my project, applying for funding opportunities and connecting with charities so I’m hoping that all of these combined efforts will work to help me reach my goal. £30k seems like a lot but every penny helps and it is possible.

Thank you so much for reading all of this, if you have.

Thank you so much for donating, if you can.

Thank you.

Yours,

Antoinette