Ideas about doctoral study and academic life are often shaped by cultural stereotypes, informal narratives, and selective visibility. Some of these ideas are partially grounded
A clear, neutral explanation of who doctoral study tends to suit, including goals, working preferences, structural factors, and common misunderstandings.
A Master’s degree and a PhD are both postgraduate qualifications, but they serve different functions within academia. The distinction affects expectations around study, research, independence,
A clear, neutral explanation of what academia is, how it functions, and how academic knowledge is produced, taught, and evaluated.
Feeling isolated while pursuing a PhD is common, but it’s important to build connections with others to feel supported and foster a sense of community. Participating in student-run groups and attending events can help graduate students make friends and even get to know professors in their department.
Discover how Vanessa Corcoran, a historian with a focus on medieval witchcraft, pivoted her dissertation topic to the Virgin Mary after immersing herself in coursework on medieval religious history. Learn how her decision was received by her professors, the challenges she encountered, and what inspired her to make the shift.
Publishing feels impossible sometimes. You’ve already got research, teaching, maybe conferences, and then you’re told you need to publish too. The problem is that nobody
