After finishing his master's degree at the University of Reading and returning to Uganda, Godwin kept in contact with his supervisors who provided him with frequent guidance for career development over email and Skype.
It was their ongoing commitment to him, combined with the outstanding reputation of the Department of Meteorology, which attracted Godwin to return to Reading for his PhD.
Godwin believes that the University of Reading is special in that it offers tailored studentships for international students. His PhD is supported by an International Research Studentship funded by the University and he receives a stipend from the Government of the Republic of Uganda.
Godwin's research focuses on large scale circulation and synoptic scale convection in equatorial Africa. He is looking at the nature, the importance and the mechanisms that are associated with convective activity interaction between western equatorial Africa and eastern Africa.
The supportive research environment and excellent facilities provided by Reading have made Godwin's time enjoyable, both on an academic and a social level.
"My supervisors support me and applaud me on every achievement; this keeps me motivated to make my next breakthrough. The library, the online accessibility of reading materials and computing facilities are exceptional.
The courses in the Reading Researcher Development Programme (RRDP) significantly enrich the PhD programme. The academic work is punctuated by social events, such as running races and office social events."
During his studies, Godwin has joined a number of groups to connect with the wider research community at Reading, including the Tropical Hour group and the TAMSAT (Tropical Applications of Meteorology using SATellite data and ground-based observations) group. He also attends other PhD student talks which he finds inspiring – "if they can make it, then I can also do it."
Godwin's advice for new PhD students?
"Break the research project into small and manageable chunks and set timelines to complete the identified pieces of work. One step at a time."
After his PhD, Godwin hopes to use his findings and experience to become one of the leading researchers at the Uganda National Meteorological Authority.
"I want to see a remarkable improvement of weather and climate products in Eastern Africa particularly in terms of intraseasonal forecasting and nowcasting."