Help Me Finish My PhD

Hi everyone!

Some of you might know me, some might not.

Short version:
- I'm a Queer Black and Arab PhD student in the UK. 
- My research is an 'anti-orientalising' and anti-colonial study of Arab same-sex desire in the ME.
- I was self-funding with help from family. Relationship deteriorated so now I'm in a bad position and facing possible withdrawal.
- I'm raising funds to help pay off my tuition and complete the final year of my PhD.  Please help.


Long version:
I'm Khaliden. I'm a Queer Black and Arab PhD student doing my degree and I've just entered my final (third) year before submission.
My research focuses on the cultural and political media landscape surrounding Arab queer people. Looking at the way in which they use online spaces to build communities, I'm working on developing a thesis that'll consider the nuanced and unique experience of Arab same-sex desiring people - and their identities.
I'm working to responding to a gap in queer and Arab studies that's missing the voices of Arab people speaking about their identities (rather than have them be imagined figures that are spoken about). I'm also doing this to push back against the colonial orientalism that pops up in discussions about same-sex desiring people, consider the dangers of simply white western definitions of sexuality and identity, move away from  the way that they've been weaponised for the purposes of both islamophobia and pinkwashing. Ultimately I hope my work demonstrates  the cultural need to support non-white and western same-sex desiring people by actually listening to these communities, and the theoretical need to  base discussions about them around frameworks that recognise their nuanced experiences/identities.

I think my work is necessary because it intervenes on current discourses in queer academia, and (through interviews I spent the last year conducting) centres the voices of this globally ignored community.

I've so far been funding my PhD through the help of family. That stopped being an option because issues to do with what I'm researching and what/who I am lead to them cutting off contact with me.
I'm not eligible to most scholarships because  this happened early and I've missed the deadlines (or just being ineligible) and there isn't an option for me to get a doctoral loan in the UK - or my home country - because I'm an international student.

This will help me pay a chunk of my tuition fees and avoid withdrawal, while I aggressively save from my jobs to pay off the rest by the end of next year. 

I've work hard to push myself through two degrees, I think what I'm doing can and does bring good to the world (I'm willing to send you writing to prove it). I'm so close to finishing my degree and I'm worried that these past 8 years will be wasted.

I didn't want to do this because I was embarrassed and I didn't want to be this exposed. But, I also care about my work - and I want to finish it. So, I'm doing everything I can.

If you help by sending 1 pound/dollar/yen/whatever or 1000, I appreciate each and every one of you who is generous enough to donate. I also appreciate each and every one of you who couldn't afford to donate but helps share this so it might get to someone who can.



FAQS:

Can I see some of your writing/work before donating?

Yes, of course. Just DM me on Twitter  and I'll send you a chapter (and answer any question you might have about my research).

When is the tuition due?

As soon as possible really. This all came on very suddenly. The university has given me a bit of room to 'figure it out' because I've been with them for a long time but my position is precarious as they're still threatening my withdrawal. 

Can't you get a loan?

I'm not eligible for a UK doctoral loan because I'm not from the UK, there's no options for doctoral loan in my home country and I can't get a general loan from my home country because I'm ineligible as a student (and as someone whose work is overseas). I don't have any family that can help me out, I'm not in contact with them anymore. I've started this GFM because I need it. 

What's your home country?

It's in the ME, because of the topic I'm doing I'm a bit uncomfortable typing it out and having it searchable. If you DM me on Twitter. I'll be happy to tell you along with whatever questions you might have (as well as say THANK YOU for getting this far in the text). 

What happens if you exceed your goal?

Every single pound/dollar/euro/yen/whatever is going to go towards my tuition fees. If I'm lucky enough to exceed my goal then that's where it'll go as well. 

How are you receiving these funds?

As I mentioned I'm a non-UKer, so it's being sent through to my friend James Deegan, who first informed me about and pushed me into using GoFundMe. He's been helping support me through this overwhelming situation and has been helping me manage this campaign and to pay off the tuition fees. Again, I'm willing to provide any and all proof you'd need so please don't hesitate to contact me for more information.

Can I donate somewhere other than GFM?

If you're not comfortable with using GFM but still want to donate, please use my PayPal. or my cash app is £alsopur

I have more questions ...

I'll be happy to answer ANY other questions as well! Just get in contact on Twitter . I'll also update this regularly.

Again, I'm really grateful for every one who is able to donate & share. x

UPDATE #1 (7/12)


So first I wanted to say a massive thank you to everyone who has helped me out. I'm overwhelmed and am extremely grateful. I genuinely did not expect this to do much.
I used the money raised so far to pay off part of an instalment which helped secure my place until the end of the month.  Again thank you so much for how much you've helped me so far. You have no idea how grateful I am. I hope my next update will be of ever better news. 
I'm still a long way aways from my goal, so if you could donating (if you're able) and sharing this campaign with people, I would really really appreciate it. xx