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The Australian Professor Who Turned Breaking on Its Head

Rachael Gunn, known as B-girl Raygun, displayed some … unique moves as she competed in a field with breakers half her age. The judges and the internet were underwhelmed.

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By Dodai Stewart and Talya Minsberg

Reporting from Paris

Breaking made its debut as an Olympic sport Friday, and among the competitors was Dr. Rachael Gunn, also known as B-girl Raygun, a 36-year-old professor from Sydney, Australia, who stood out in just about every way.

By day, her research interests include “dance, gender politics, and the dynamics between theoretical and practical methodologies.” But on the world’s stage in Paris, wearing green track pants and a green polo shirt instead of the street-style outfits of her much younger fellow breakers, she competed against the 21-year-old Logan Edra of the United States, known as Logistx.

During the round robin, as Raygun and Logistx faced off, Raygun laid on her side, reached for her toes, spun around, and threw in a kangaroo hop — a nod to her homeland. She performed a move that looked something like swimming and another that could best be described as duckwalking. The high-speed back and head spins that other breakers would demonstrate were mostly absent.

The crowd cheered Raygun politely. The judges weren’t as kind. All nine voted for Logistx in both rounds of the competition; Logistx won, 18-0.

Online, Raygun’s performance quickly became a sensation, not necessarily in a flattering way.

“The more I watch the videos of Raygun, the Aussie breaker, the more I get annoyed,” one viewer posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. “There’s 27.7 million Australians in the world and that’s who they send to the Olympics for this inaugural event??? C’mon now!”

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THE PhD EXPERIENCE

EDHEC’s PhD in Finance programme has two objectives: academic excellence and to make a difference to financial and business practices. It is a unique PhD programme that challenges professionals to identify research issues in order to propose and implement creative solutions for their industry.

A rigorous financial curriculum

Participants acquire the tools, approaches and experience to become autonomous researchers and innovators.

EDHEC Business School’s PhD in Finance combines coursework and a dissertation to help participants acquire the tools, approaches and experience to become autonomous researchers and innovators.

It is an academically rigorous programme that prepares professionals for challenges that require an integrated view of financial markets and institutions, a thorough understanding of financial modelling and decision-making, and an ability to identify and research issues to propose and implement creative solutions.   

Executive track in focus

The programme is tailored to executive needs and challenges professionals to step back and generate radical, innovative solutions.

PhD studies forge a lifelong ability to approach issues scientifically and to research them thoroughly. They are, therefore, a critical step for practitioners who strive for constant learning and progression in their field.

The EDHEC PhD in Finance is designed for professionals who want to gain and maintain an in-depth understanding of finance, along with the ability to conduct research projects that will yield original insights and lead to innovative approaches and solutions.

Faculty research expertise

The EDHEC faculty comes from the world’s best universities and its research centres are renowned for their impactful, industry-relevant academic research.

The EDHEC PhD in Finance programme faculty comprises world-class specialists in finance, asset management and economic and financial modelling. It brings together EDHEC Business School’s senior economics and finance scholars and affiliate professors from top research institutions around the world such as Chicago Booth, Columbia, Duke, Imperial College, Princeton, Wharton or Yale University. The faculty has an outstanding track record of publishing in and editing for the most respected journals in financial economics, along with a wealth of experience in research supervision and executive education, and a history of senior-level engagement with public- and private-sector organisations.   

PhD class profile

EDHEC’s PhD in Finance candidates are individuals with diverse and robust academic backgrounds and professional experience.  

EDHEC seeks to matriculate 12 to 15 PhD students per year and more than 60 candidates are currently enrolled. The average candidate admitted to the executive track is 40 years old and has 15 years of professional experience. Participants in their early 30s hold senior investment manager/portfolio manager positions, while the more mature candidates typically hold head-of-unit positions. Most candidates work for financial institutions (only a few work in academic and research institutions), from alternative investment boutiques to large organisations. All of them have excellent academic backgrounds and hold at least one graduate degree from a renowned institution like Cambridge, Chicago Booth, Haas School of Business (Berkeley), London School of Economics, Leonard N. Stern School of Business (New-York), Stanford, Rotman (Toronto), Wharton or Yale.  

The culmination of extensive research work, candidates must make an original and significant contribution to their field to earn their PhD.   

PhD candidates work closely with their supervisor and our academic faculty to author insightful dissertations that advance financial knowledge and practices and are worthy of publication in professional journals. Discover the list of doctoral theses successfully defended since programme inception.  

EDHEC PhD in Finance alumni serve in leadership roles or teach and conduct research at renowned institutions. Their research is published in peer-reviewed journals and academic journals.  

Successfully completing a PhD while holding down a full-time job, with the myriad challenges of work and academic study, requires discipline, motivation, perseverance, tenacity and tremendous determination. We are, therefore, especially proud of all our graduates and their achievements so far.

Facilities and resources

The programme is offered part-time from the EDHEC London and Nice campuses and provides PhD students with access to a wide range of e-resources for off-campus assignments and research work.

EDHEC offers its PhD in Finance programme from its executive campus in the heart of the City of London and from its exceptional campus in Nice on the French Riviera. The programme’s residential requirement is limited to around 40 days and can be completed in eight weeks over three years. All courses take place in executive learning rooms in London and Nice.  

Questions in this category relate to PhD studies at EDHEC. More specific FAQs can be found on other pages of the PhD in Finance programme.   You can also contact us by phone or email.

EDHEC Business School insists on timely programme completion and the EDHEC PhD in Finance includes rigorous procedures to track the progress of dissertation work to prevent delays. In the event that a candidate does not manage to complete the programme in three years, they can do so within a further two years.

There is no age limit on or minimum age for joining our programme. Most of our current participants are experienced practitioners (with an average age of 40 on admission), but we also accept younger candidates with a suitable background to support their application.

Because of the nature of the programme, participants in the executive track have, on average, 15 years of professional experience on admission. We have a sizeable minority of students with 5-7 years of professional experience on matriculation.

Our PhD programme does not require prospective applicants to receive approval of dissertation proposals from faculty or to find a thesis advisor. The dissertation process starts during the course of the first academic year.

The fit between candidate and programme is judged based on the candidate’s goals and motivation and their ability to complete the programme (strong skills in quantitative methods as part of past studies or as a practitioner). The candidate’s ability to write and conduct research will also be given significant consideration.

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MRes/PhD Political Science

• Graduate research
• Department of Government
• Application code M1ZN
• Starting 2024
• Home full-time: Closed
• Overseas full-time: Closed
• Location: Houghton Street, London

This programme offers you the chance to undertake a substantial piece of work that is worthy of publication and which makes an original contribution to the field of political science. You will begin on the MRes, and will need to meet certain requirements to progress to the PhD.

The Department of Government at LSE is one of the largest political science departments in the UK and covers almost all areas of politics. We cover a broad array of academic sub-fields from political theory, political economy, public policy, nationalism, conflict studies, and comparative politics to the history of institutions and policy. We also have area expertise on Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Latin America. 

We welcome applications to undertake research that complements the academic interests of members of staff at the School, and we recommend that you investigate  staff research interests  before applying and approach prospective supervisors to gauge their interest.

The MRes/PhD Political Science provides world-leading methods training, participation in a lively and open research culture, and the opportunity to be part of one of the best departments in political science and political studies in the world. You will join a small and highly selective entering class, of about 6-10 students, who come from a wide range of universities around the world. Together you will embark on the MRes portion of the programme, which is a structured route to the PhD.

Programme details

For more information about tuition fees and entry requirements, see the fees and funding and assessing your application sections.

Entry requirements

Minimum entry requirements for mres/phd political science.

First class or very good upper second class honours degree (normally 65+) and a taught master's degree (or equivalent) in political science or a closely related discipline (such as sociology, economics or history).

Competition for places at the School is high. This means that even if you meet our minimum entry requirement, this does not guarantee you an offer of admission.

For the MRes/PhD Political Science, your research prospoal should be about 2000 words. Your sample of written work should be either a degree essay of between 3000 and 5000 words, or a 3000-5000 word extract from a longer piece of work such as a dissertation.

See requirements for the samples of written work  

If you have studied or are studying outside of the UK then have a look at our  Information for International Students  to find out the entry requirements that apply to you.

Assessing your application

We welcome applications for research programmes that complement the academic interests of members of staff at the School, and we recommend that you investigate  staff research interests  before applying.

We carefully consider each application on an individual basis, taking into account all the information presented on your application form, including your:

- academic achievement (including existing and pending qualifications) - personal statement - references - CV - research proposal - sample of written work.

See further information on supporting documents

You may also have to provide evidence of your English proficiency. You do not need to provide this at the time of your application to LSE, but we recommend that you do.  See our English language requirements .

When to apply

The application deadline for this programme is 15 January 2024 . This is also the deadline to be considered for any LSE funding opportunity. See the fees and funding section for more details.

Fees and funding

Every research student is charged a fee in line with the fee structure for their programme.  The fee covers registration and examination fees payable to the School, lectures, classes and individual supervision, lectures given at other colleges under intercollegiate arrangements and, under current arrangements, membership of the Students' Union. It does not cover  living costs  or travel or fieldwork.

Tuition fees 2024/25 for MRes/PhD Political Science

Home students: £4,786 for the first year Overseas students: £22,632 for the first year

The fee is likely to rise over subsequent years of the programme. The School charges home research students in line with the level of fee that the Research Councils recommend. The fees for overseas students are likely to rise in line with the assumed percentage increase in pay costs (ie, 4 per cent per annum).

The Table of Fees shows the latest tuition amounts for all programmes offered by the School.

The amount of tuition fees you will need to pay, and any financial support you are eligible for, will depend on whether you are classified as a home or overseas student, otherwise known as your fee status. LSE assesses your fee status based on guidelines provided by the Department of Education.

Further information about fee status classification.

Scholarships, studentships and other funding

The School recognises that the  cost of living in London  may be higher than in your home town or country, and we provide generous scholarships each year to home and overseas students.

This programme is eligible for  LSE PhD Studentships , and  Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funding . Selection for the PhD Studentships and ESRC funding is based on receipt of an application for a place – including all ancillary documents, before the funding deadline.  

Funding deadline for LSE PhD Studentships and ESRC funding: 15 January 2024

In addition to our needs-based awards, LSE also makes available scholarships for students from specific regions of the world and awards for students studying specific subject areas.   Find out more about financial support.

External funding 

There may be other funding opportunities available through other organisations or governments and we recommend you investigate these options as well.

Further information

Fees and funding opportunities

Information for international students

LSE is an international community, with over 140 nationalities represented amongst its student body. We celebrate this diversity through everything we do.  

If you are applying to LSE from outside of the UK then take a look at our Information for International students . 

1) Take a note of the UK qualifications we require for your programme of interest (found in the ‘Entry requirements’ section of this page). 

2) Go to the International Students section of our website. 

3) Select your country. 

4) Select ‘Graduate entry requirements’ and scroll until you arrive at the information about your local/national qualification. Compare the stated UK entry requirements listed on this page with the local/national entry requirement listed on your country specific page. 

Programme structure and courses

First year (mres).

In the first year, you will take a series of courses and prepare a Research Prospectus. You will be trained in research design and research methods and also take courses from a broad range of graduate specialisms in our Department and across LSE. 

You will study with acknowledged leaders in their fields and learn what political scientists know (and don’t know), what the key debates have been and where the discipline is going. 

Research Design in the Social Sciences Turns good research questions into systematic projects that deliver interesting and worthwhile results.

Courses to the value of one unit from a range of quantitative, qualitative or political theory research methods topics

Courses to the value of one unit from a range of options within the Department of Government

Research Prospectus in Political Science A research paper, not to exceed 10,000 words, related to the student's designated major field.

Subject to satisfactory performance, you will be upgraded to the PhD programme and will implement your research plan, for example through fieldwork, data collection and analysis, theoretical work, or a combination of several approaches. You will participate and present your work in doctoral workshops with faculty and fellow researchers (at least one each year), and you will start to attend and present papers at international conferences.

You will also be invited to apply to help teach undergraduate courses in the Department. In your second year, you have the option of taking Political Economy (permission to attend is at the discretion of the course convenor).

For the most up-to-date list of optional courses please visit the relevant School Calendar page. 

You must note, however, that while care has been taken to ensure that this information is up to date and correct, a change of circumstances since publication may cause the School to change, suspend or withdraw a course or programme of study, or change the fees that apply to it. The School will always notify the affected parties as early as practicably possible and propose any viable and relevant alternative options. Note that the School will neither be liable for information that after publication becomes inaccurate or irrelevant, nor for changing, suspending or withdrawing a course or programme of study due to events outside of its control, which includes but is not limited to a lack of demand for a course or programme of study, industrial action, fire, flood or other environmental or physical damage to premises.  

You must also note that places are limited on some courses and/or subject to specific entry requirements. The School cannot therefore guarantee you a place. Please note that changes to programmes and courses can sometimes occur after you have accepted your offer of a place. These changes are normally made in light of developments in the discipline or path-breaking research, or on the basis of student feedback. Changes can take the form of altered course content, teaching formats or assessment modes. Any such changes are intended to enhance the student learning experience. You should visit the School’s  Calendar , or contact the relevant academic department, for information on the availability and/or content of courses and programmes of study. Certain substantive changes will be listed on the  updated graduate course and programme information page.

Supervision, progression and assessment

Supervision .

You will be assigned a lead supervisor (and a second supervisor/adviser) who is a specialist in your chosen research field, though not necessarily in your topic. Lead supervisors guide you through your studies.

Progression and assessment

At the end of the first year you will complete the assessments for your courses and finalise your Research Prospectus, the provisional research plan for your PhD. You will defend the Prospectus at a committee of relevant faculty in September at the end the first year. If you meet the assessment requirements and successfully defend the Prospectus you will be upgraded to the PhD part of the programme.

Your final award of the PhD will be determined by the completion of an original research thesis and a viva oral examination.

More about progression requirements.

Student support and resources

We’re here to help and support you throughout your time at LSE, whether you need help with your academic studies, support with your welfare and wellbeing or simply to develop on a personal and professional level.

Whatever your query, big or small, there are a range of people you can speak to who will be happy to help.  

Department librarians   – they will be able to help you navigate the library and maximise its resources during your studies. 

Accommodation service  – they can offer advice on living in halls and offer guidance on private accommodation related queries.

Class teachers and seminar leaders  – they will be able to assist with queries relating to specific courses. 

Disability and Wellbeing Service  – they are experts in long-term health conditions, sensory impairments, mental health and specific learning difficulties. They offer confidential and free services such as  student counselling,  a  peer support scheme  and arranging  exam adjustments.  They run groups and workshops.  

IT help  – support is available 24 hours a day to assist with all your technology queries.   

LSE Faith Centre  – this is home to LSE's diverse religious activities and transformational interfaith leadership programmes, as well as a space for worship, prayer and quiet reflection. It includes Islamic prayer rooms and a main space for worship. It is also a space for wellbeing classes on campus and is open to all students and staff from all faiths and none.   

Language Centre  – the Centre specialises in offering language courses targeted to the needs of students and practitioners in the social sciences. We offer pre-course English for Academic Purposes programmes; English language support during your studies; modern language courses in nine languages; proofreading, translation and document authentication; and language learning community activities.

LSE Careers  ­ – with the help of LSE Careers, you can make the most of the opportunities that London has to offer. Whatever your career plans, LSE Careers will work with you, connecting you to opportunities and experiences from internships and volunteering to networking events and employer and alumni insights. 

LSE Library   –   founded in 1896, the British Library of Political and Economic Science is the major international library of the social sciences. It stays open late, has lots of excellent resources and is a great place to study. As an LSE student, you’ll have access to a number of other academic libraries in Greater London and nationwide. 

LSE LIFE  – this is where you should go to develop skills you’ll use as a student and beyond. The centre runs talks and workshops on skills you’ll find useful in the classroom; offers one-to-one sessions with study advisers who can help you with reading, making notes, writing, research and exam revision; and provides drop-in sessions for academic and personal support. (See ‘Teaching and assessment’). 

LSE Students’ Union (LSESU)  – they offer academic, personal and financial advice and funding.  

PhD Academy   – this is available for PhD students, wherever they are, to take part in interdisciplinary events and other professional development activities and access all the services related to their registration. 

Sardinia House Dental Practice   – this   offers discounted private dental services to LSE students.  

St Philips Medical Centre  – based in Pethwick-Lawrence House, the Centre provides NHS Primary Care services to registered patients.

Student Services Centre  – our staff here can answer general queries and can point you in the direction of other LSE services.  

Student advisers   – we have a  Deputy Head of Student Services (Advice and Policy)  and an  Adviser to Women Students  who can help with academic and pastoral matters.

Student life

As a student at LSE you’ll be based at our central London campus. Find out what our campus and London have to offer you on academic, social and career perspective. 

Student societies and activities

Your time at LSE is not just about studying, there are plenty of ways to get involved in  extracurricular activities . From joining one of over 200 societies, or starting your own society, to volunteering for a local charity, or attending a public lecture by a world-leading figure, there is a lot to choose from. 

The campus 

LSE is based on one  campus  in the centre of London. Despite the busy feel of the surrounding area, many of the streets around campus are pedestrianised, meaning the campus feels like a real community. 

Life in London 

London is an exciting, vibrant and colourful city. It's also an academic city, with more than 400,000 university students. Whatever your interests or appetite you will find something to suit your palate and pocket in this truly international capital. Make the most of career opportunities and social activities, theatre, museums, music and more. 

Want to find out more? Read why we think  London is a fantastic student city , find out about  key sights, places and experiences for new Londoners . Don't fear, London doesn't have to be super expensive: hear about  London on a budget . 

Quick Careers Facts for the Department of Government

Median salary of our PG students 15 months after graduating: £34,000          

Top 5 sectors our students work in:

• Government, Public Sector and Policy   
• Health and Social Care  
• Education, Teaching and Research            
• Information, Digital Technology and Data            
• Consultancy

The data was collected as part of the Graduate Outcomes survey, which is administered by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Graduates from 2020-21 were the fourth group to be asked to respond to Graduate Outcomes. Median salaries are calculated for respondents who are paid in UK pounds sterling and who were working in full-time employment.

Students who successfully complete the programme often embark on an academic career. Recent graduates have also gone on to careers in investment banking, auditing, consultancy and public sector and government.

Further information on graduate destinations for this programme

Support for your career

Many leading organisations give careers presentations at the School during the year, and LSE Careers has a wide range of resources available to assist students in their job search. Find out more about the  support available to students through LSE Careers .

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Discover more about being an LSE student - meet us in a city near you, visit our campus or experience LSE from home. 

Experience LSE from home

Webinars, videos, student blogs and student video diaries will help you gain an insight into what it's like to study at LSE for those that aren't able to make it to our campus.  Experience LSE from home . 

Come on a guided campus tour, attend an undergraduate open day, drop into our office or go on a self-guided tour.  Find out about opportunities to visit LSE . 

LSE visits you

Student Marketing, Recruitment and Study Abroad travels throughout the UK and around the world to meet with prospective students. We visit schools, attend education fairs and also hold Destination LSE events: pre-departure events for offer holders.  Find details on LSE's upcoming visits . 

How to apply

Virtual Graduate Open Day

Register your interest

Related programmes, mphil/phd international relations.

Code(s) M1ZR

MRes/PhD International Development

Code(s) Y2ZI

MPhil/PhD Sociology

Code(s) L3ZS

MPhil/PhD European Studies

Code(s) M1ZE

MPhil/PhD International History

Code(s) V1ZH

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Profile | Who is Rachael Gunn? Paris Olympics’ Australian breakdancer who became internet meme

• In videos of her performances shared online, B-Girl Raygun was seen hopping around like a kangaroo and touching her toes while lying down

Among the various breakers competing in the Paris Olympics, one in particular has taken the internet by storm: Australia’s Rachael Gunn.

In videos of her performances shared online, B-Girl Raygun was seen hopping around like a kangaroo, touching her toes while lying down and seemingly squirming around on the dance floor.

Netizens were quick to pick up on Gunn’s unusual moves and catapulted her to internet fame with thousands memes.

But who is she? Let’s take a look.

Early years

Born in Hornsby in New South Wales, Gunn was a former jazz and ballroom dancer. She was introduced to breaking by the man she later married, who had been practising for 10 years.

Although Gunn grew up dancing, she did not start competing in breaking competitions until her mid-twenties.

“I wasn’t a sporty kid, I was more of a dance kid,” Gunn had said. “I never thought the Olympics would be on the cards for me. It’s such a privilege and it’s hugely exciting.”

Breakdancing career

Gunn graduated university with her PHD thesis focusing on ‘the intersection of gender and Sydney’s breaking culture’ in 2017.

By 2020, Gunn worked her way up to become the Australian Breaking Association’s top ranked B-Girl.

She took part at the World Breaking Championships in Paris in 2021 and in Seoul 12 months later, and qualified for the Paris Games via the Oceania Championships in October 2023.

“I think a lot of people had doubted my ability to do it and maybe thought I was getting too old to be able to stay on top,” she said. “But I just kept pushing hard, I want to get better, and I want the scene to grow and get better.

Gunn’s experience had also influenced her beyond the dance floor as well.

She is a lecturer at the Department of Media, Communications, Creative Arts, Language and Literature at Macquarie University, where her biography states that she is an interdisciplinary and practice-based researcher interested in the cultural politics of breaking.

Internet fame

Despite Gunn’s experience in the discipline, her unique performance at the Paris Olympics quickly went viral on social media.

She finished the group phase with no points, which led many to question how she earned qualification.

Despite the jokes, Gunn defended her performance.

“I was never going to beat these girls on what they do best, the dynamic and the power moves, so I wanted to move differently, be artistic and creative because how many chances do you get in a lifetime to do that on an international stage?,” she said.

“I was always the underdog and wanted to make my mark in a different way.”

The memes drew an impassioned defence from Australia’s chef de mission Anna Meares as she hit out at “trolls and keyboard warriors”.

“If you don’t know Rachael’s story, in 2008, she was locked in a room crying, being involved in a male dominated sport as the only woman and it took great courage for her to continue on and fight for her opportunity to participate in a sport that she loved,” she said.

Meares noted that Gunn was the best female breakdancer the country had and was an “absolutely loved member” of the Olympic team.