Yun Lu

“An inclusive environment full of brilliant and genuinely supportive people”

Two weeks before the start of my PhD was the first time I set foot in Scotland. I was naturally a bit apprehensive: Will I get used to the environment? Will I get along with the people here? What is this thing people keep feeding me called the “haggis”? Luckily, I was able to answer most of my questions in the affirmative (except maybe the haggis), thanks to the awesome people in my cryptography group, who welcomed me warmly from our first group meeting. Even though we might not all work together on the same projects, I quickly learned the specialisations of my cohorts. It is reassuring to know that, if I had a question in an area unfamiliar to me, I could usually find someone to discuss with. It also made me happy whenever I could help someone with a question!

Why LFCS?

LFCS is full of top researchers in a variety of fields. I find that everyone here is very open-minded, and excited when presented opportunities to learn new knowledge or skills. There is almost always some kind of reading group, seminar, or meet-up going on in the building, which means anyone could begin learning a new subject from an expert in the field. I am also grateful for the events specifically for women, as it introduced me to some brilliant women researchers. Lastly, the financial support given to PhD students is definitely something that helps open many opportunities. For example, I was able to attend a cryptography conference last year thanks to LFCS funding.

Advice for PhD applicants

It is always a good idea to have a chat with your potential advisor, to get to know them and let them know your interests. For example, do you like more theoretical or applied research? Do you plan to go into industry or academia? These are also good discussions to have during the PhD as well, since people often change their minds. Besides having a clear goal, a solid mathematical background can also go a long way, especially when you are interested in theoretical research. Finally, an advice to international students: begin your visa application process early!