Dr Jennie Riley completed her PhD at Durham University from 2017-2020, funded by the AHRC’s Northern Bridge Consortium. Her background is in Theology and Religion, with a particular penchant for studying evangelicalism, healthcare, lived religion, and death. She currently works at the University of Aberdeen in the Health Services Research Unit, and dreams of one day being able to turn her doodles into publications. Follow her on Twitter: @JennieARiley1

Writing Up: What Worked for Me

In this article, Jennie Riley shares how she tackled the writing-up process, including creating a timetable and breaking down her work into smaller goals, ultimately leading to a successful draft.

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Publishing from your PhD – What I Wish I’d Known

In this article, Jennie Riley shares what she learned about publishing from her PhD experience. She provides tips on why she decided to publish solo-authored articles instead of turning her thesis into a book, the difference between submitting a chapter and an article, the importance of resilience, and reframing feedback.

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Death by a Thousand Semesters: Are Academic Careers as All-Consuming as People Say?

The stress and all-consuming nature of pursuing an academic career is often detailed in social media posts and anecdotal tales. Whilst it is useful for PhD students to understand the perils of careers in academia, this article provides further context for some of the issues surrounding progression in the academic profession. It runs through five factors that impact on how all-consuming academic careers can be, ultimately advising you to progress in academia at your own pace.

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PhD in Later Life: It’s Never Too Late To Be a Student

This article explores the experience of doing a part-time distance PhD in later life. The author’s age was an advantage, allowing them to focus on their thesis without distractions or major hiccups. The article reflects on how to make for a smooth doctorate – emphasising the importance of strong interest in your topic, supervisors who are easy to work with, and a bit of luck!

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When Dreams Fall Apart: Mental Health and New Beginnings in Academia and Beyond

In this motivational article, the author reflects on his mental health journey of realising teaching wasn’t his dream job after all and starting over in an academia-adjacent career. The article highlights the value of clear boundaries between work and home, of prioritising mental health in academia and beyond, and of being brave enough to choose another road when you reach a dead end.

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