Photo: Yuri Arcurs

Hi there...

Ingrida, why did you decide to be a doctoral candidate?

For over 15 years, I worked in a law firm during the day and taught law as an adjunct in the evenings. I enjoyed legal practice, but over time realized that I wanted to conduct original research and contribute to the field. I put my practice on hold and prepared a research proposal on a topic that I kept coming across in my practice. 

What are you researching about?

Ingrida Karina-Berzina

My doctoral project is on bad faith in trademark law. Very briefly: one of the reasons that a trademark registration may be denied or revoked is if the applicant has acted in bad faith, for instance, by filing a trademark that actually belongs to someone else. There has been a huge increase in such cases in Europe and around the world. The statutes do not define “bad faith”, and the case law is not entirely consistent. My task is to organize and systematize the body of judicial opinions and identify the underlying philosophical and legal framework of the concept of bad faith. We assume we know what “bad faith” is, but actually it is quite hard to pin down.

What do you do as a PhD student?

My first year has been quite intensive, as I will have taken all four required PhD courses over two semesters. In parallel, I am laying the groundwork for my dissertation research. This year I will have presented my research several times already. Most days I am at the Department of Law, attending class, preparing assignments, or researching. In addition, I am learning Swedish. My day-to-day is reading, writing and discussing.

What is the best thing about being a PhD student? 

As a student who is returning to school after more than 20 years, I like and appreciate everything about being a PhD student. I have wonderful colleagues in my fellow doctoral students and in the intellectual property group. My supervisors and colleagues at the department are incredibly supportive. The courses are engaging, and my research is absorbing. When I walk across campus each morning, I am always a little excited to see STOCKHOLM UNIVERSITY on the roof of our building. It is a privilege to spend the day thinking and learning.

What is the most challenging part of being a PhD student?

The challenge of producing an original book-sized monograph is not for the faint-hearted. When I feel that things are going slowly, I try to remind myself that the dissertation is not going to be written in a day.

What advice would you give to someone who is interested being a PhD student?

The best thing I did while preparing my research proposal is to talk to many, many people in the field. This helped me refine my thinking and also to give me a more realistic picture of academia. 

The second piece of advice, for those who are established in a non-academic career: it is never too late to follow your doctoral dreams.

What do you want to do when you graduate?

As long as I have the chance to teach, I will be happy.

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