I'm Riddhi, a fully funded PhD candidate at Durham University Business School in Consumer Culture Theory (CCT).
I have an MA from King’s College London in Cultural & Creative Industries (2022-23), and a BA in Fashion & Lifestyle Business Management from Pearl Academy (accredited by Nottingham Trent University) (2016-2019). And here are some of my certifications:
UC Davis | Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Specialization (2024)
PhotoVoice | Comprehensive Introduction to Participatory Photography (2024)
Atlassian | Jira Fundamentals (2023)
Google | Agile Project Management (2023)
ELVTR | Game Production (2023)
University of Copenhagen | The Sustainable Development Goals (2021)
Meta | Social Media Management (2021)
Harvard Business School Online | Sustainable Business Strategies (2020)
Copenhagen Business School | Sustainable Fashion (2020)
How My Identity Shapes My Career
As a Third Culture Kid (TCK), I'm a mix of places, people, and experiences. Before the age of 18, I lived in four cities across India and the U.S. - Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, Delhi NCR, and Pittsburgh. More recently, I've spent four years living in the UK. I figured out pretty quickly what it means to be an outsider and how to make sense of the world around me.
Living in constantly shifting environments forced me into being attuned to the messy complexities of identity. Art became my lifeline; whether it was theatre, music, writing, or dance, it was how I connected to places, people, and ultimately, myself.
Just like my identity is shaped by multiple cultures, my career is shaped by a mix of experiences. Before starting my PhD, I spent over five years working across the creative industries as a stylist, model, writer, brand strategist and marketer. Each role has brought me closer to defining the humanist values that continue to shape my work today.
I’m a major culture nerd. I’ll enjoy a museum exhibit, or a concert just as much as the latest TikTok brainrot trend. I’ve serious love for fantasy books, photography, fashion, music, and cozy games—Stardew Valley girlie here, there’s something about growing pixelated parsnips that just hits different. I’ve also got a real soft spot for all things handmade. But my main love? Dogs. One day, I hope to live on a farm with a million of them.