PhD-led academic support · Pretoria & online
I'm Ruth, a PhD researcher in Chemical Engineering. I tutor, edit dissertations and consult on research design and data analysis for Honours, Master's and doctoral students.
Master's and BEng Honours, both with distinction. Peer-reviewed publications. Working knowledge of R, Python, SQL, MATLAB and SPSS.
About Ruth
I know what a thesis feels like from the inside, so I help students make it clearer, stronger and their own.
I'm a PhD researcher in Chemical Engineering. Over several years I've worked with undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral students, helping them structure arguments, make sense of their data and finish chapters they had stopped believing in.
My approach pairs academic rigour with patience. Everyone arrives with a different problem, so I start by understanding yours: your field, your supervisor's expectations and your deadline. Then we plan.
I understand the pressure around milestones. I'll be direct about what needs work, and I'll never write your work for you.
Who I help
Essay writing, exam preparation and subject tutoring.
Research proposals, mini-dissertations and methodology.
Dissertation support, literature reviews and editing.
Thesis writing, data analysis and publication support.
Grant writing, journal articles and research design.
One-on-one sessions for students who want to understand the material, not just get through it. Shaped around your course, your pace and your goals.
For Master's and PhD students with a draft that needs a rigorous second reader. The ideas stay yours; I help the writing carry them.
For postgraduates and researchers who need a methodological partner, from the first proposal to the final analysis and the journal submission.
Credentials
Chemical Engineering gives me a quantitative foundation that carries across disciplines, and I've been through peer review as an author.
Send your subject, level and what kind of support you're after.
I review your enquiry and we talk through a plan that fits.
A session package or consulting block that suits your deadlines.
Sessions begin, with feedback and flexible scheduling as you progress.
Pricing
Online via Google Meet or Zoom. In-person sessions can be arranged in Pretoria.
One-on-one attention, with pace and goals set around you.
For peers or project teams studying together, 2 to 3 students.
Dissertation editing and research consulting are quoted individually, based on length, level and deadline. Ask for a quote. Semester-long packages are available at discounted rates.
Free resources
Three guides are being prepared. Email me if you'd like to be told when they're ready.
A step-by-step breakdown from introduction to conclusion, with chapter templates.
Strategies for managing deadlines, focus and long study periods.
Key concepts, tools and common pitfalls for research students.
Questions
Still unsure? Send me an email and I'll reply personally.
ruth.kasavo@gmail.comI specialise in Chemical Engineering, broader engineering sciences, mathematics, research methodology and academic writing. I support students from undergraduate to PhD level, as well as independent researchers and academics.
Online via Google Meet or Zoom, wherever you are. For students in Pretoria, in-person sessions can be arranged on request.
Tutoring is R150 per hour for individuals and R250 per hour for small groups, with a two-hour minimum. Editing and consulting depend on the work involved, so book a free initial consultation and I'll give you a clear, personalised quote.
Yes. My editing follows accepted academic proofreading and editing standards. I don't write content for you. I help you improve clarity, structure, flow and language, and the work remains entirely your own.
At least a week ahead, especially in semester submission periods. For dissertation editing, allow two to four weeks from the day you send your document.
Yes. Semester-long tutoring packages and multi-session consulting bundles are available at discounted rates.
Book
The first consultation is free. Tell me where you are and what's due, and I'll reply to arrange a time.
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