Anita Chonzi is a full-time PhD student in Health, Wellbeing and Life Sciences at Sheffield Hallam University. Her research interests include the use of multisensory stimulation interventions. She is an active Yorkshire Consortium for Equity in Doctoral Education (YCEDE) Scholars Board member, which aims to improve access and participation of BAME students in postgraduate research study across Yorkshire. The previous roles highlighted the career challenges those from BAME groups face, motivating her desire to drive change and overcome these challenges, to improve the overall education experience and facilitate access and participation of BAME students in postgraduate research.

Full-Circle Journey of a Doctoral Student: Applications, Interviews, and Mentoring Others 

This article takes the reader on a journey of a doctoral student, from applications, interviews, and building a relationship with supervisors, to coming full circle by mentoring other students starting out and facing challenges. The writer shares their advice and their own personal experience of each stage, including their fulfilling mentoring work promoting awareness of mental wellbeing among PhD students.

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Office 216

Discover how a graduate student’s temporary office space serves as a metaphor for their sense of unbelonging throughout their academic journey, and how they find solace in making the most of the temporary joys that come their way.

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15 Years in Academia: 10 Things I’d Do Differently If Starting My PhD Again

This article reflects on the author’s 15-year academic journey, detailing the lessons learned from disorganised PhD student to effective work habits as a postdoc and assistant professor, and applying these lessons to their current role at Paperpile. Suzanne offers practical advice on academic writing, productivity, and professional development, emphasizing the importance of daily writing practice, systematic note-taking, reflection, goal setting, and the use of digital tools like reference managers. She shares these insights to help current PhD students avoid similar pitfalls and develop productive habits early in their academic careers.

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