Filipe Mate Profile

What year did you graduate? 

2021

What subjects did you study prior to arriving in Durham? 

I have undergraduate in geography from Eduardo Mondlane University in Mozambique which was completed in 2012. After that I undertook different activities related to research. I most worked as fieldwork research assistant to different researchers from different parts of the world. Apart from that I had a one month training on social and territorial methods used in geography. I took a week training in Addis Ababa on the Integration of Gender Dimension on Environmental Impact Assessment. In 2017 I finished a postgraduate Diploma in Gender International Studies (GEST) at the University of Iceland.

Which degree programme did you study at Durham and why? 

Risk Masters

What were the highlights of studying at Durham? 

The years of 2020 and 2021were marked by the COVID-19 pandemic. So, during my one year stay at Durham I had a fantastic time. I would say that it was also challenging to adapt to studying virtually as I had no previous experience. Risk Masters was what I was actually looking for and found it interesting. The course has a variety of options and contents. It span from physical to human geography. The course equipped me with tools that I can now use. The set of subjects/disciplines that I had gave me skills and abilities to understand and mange different types of risks with different magnitudes. Even it was during the pandemic I was able to make some good friends and I managed to travel further north (Holy Island and Bramburgh Castle). All of this was possible as lifetime friends made some very nice arrangements (Chris O’neal, Danette and Safa). 

What was the topic of your dissertation? 

Disaster Risk in Mozambique: Analysis of preparedness towards flooding in the City of Beira during Tropical Cyclone Idai in 2019

What are you doing now and how did your degree help prepare you? 

Before going to Durham I was an assistant lecturer and researcher at Eduardo Mondlane University. I was also doing some private consultancy in Mozambique. So, when I came back I resume these activities. I have to emphasize that the Department of Geography at Durham University played an important role by equipping me with more practical skills. While I was enrolling to this Programme I chose MSc as I wanted to enrich and improve my skills in physical geography. I did this as my department lacks expertise in physical geography. Apart from that, now I am able to provide insightful supervision in the field of climatology, disasters, risk assessment, risk management and other topics in physical geography. Till today I keep friendship with some staff members at the department and my classmate. Now I am applying for a PhD position in the field of disasters. I disasters I want to look at preparedness during and after floods in Mozambique. And, as when I was writing my masters dissertation I acquired skills in this area, I want to further understand about preparedness and I believe that with knowledge and skills acquired at Durham I will be able to be awarded a PhD vacancy.