Explore the world of doctoral research and academia with insights, tips, and guidance for prospective and current PhD students. Navigate the challenges and rewards of the doctoral journey.

After accepting an offer
Dai Wenqi

PhD Abroad: How to Navigate Intercultural Interactions 

Are you studying for a PhD abroad? Are you worried about integrating meaningfully into your PhD life in a different country? In this article, Dai Wenqi explores how to socialise and adapt to a new culture during your PhD abroad, providing advice from her lived experiences to help you enjoy your doctoral life to the fullest. This includes respecting and engaging with the culture of your host country, learning the language (but forgo the pressure of perfect fluency), and leaning into your unique personal charm.

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Chronic Illness
Max Portman

Dual Discipline: Doing A PhD With A Chronic Illness

Max Portman shares his experience of doing a PhD with a chronic illness in this personal essay. He talks about the challenges he faced due to his illness, including fatigue and the inability to travel, and how his PhD helped him stay focused during tough times.

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Experiences
Charlotte Marino

90 and Thriving: Dr Bronwyn Herbert’s Later-in-Life PhD Kept Her Feeling Younger

At ninety years old, Dr Bronwyn Herbert has completed her PhD at the University of Queensland, Australia. The PhD Place had the pleasure of interviewing her across the globe to share her inspiring story with our readers! Drawing on her extensive career in social work and her wealth of life experience, Bronwyn promotes the joy of lifelong learning and showcases the power of resilience that every PhD student can seek to emulate.

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Career and Networking
Chris Thompson

I’m Only a PhD Student, Get Me Out of Here!: Overcoming Your Apprehension to Teach During Your PhD

If you aspire to be a lecturer after your PhD, then teaching experience is paramount. There can be apprehension to teach among PhD students based on a perceived lack of subject knowledge, not feeling ready, or having concerns about public speaking. This is only natural. Nevertheless, this article details five ways around this if you give yourself enough time during your PhD!

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Academic Careers
Suzanne O'Regan

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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Autism
Lauren Smith

Supporting Your Wellbeing as an Autistic Postgraduate Researcher 

Nurturing your wellbeing is a crucial part of the PhD. This article is packed with wisdom and insights on supporting (and advocating for) your own wellbeing during the PhD journey, from an autistic perspective. It emphasises the need to remind yourself of the wider picture and embrace the ups and downs of the PhD journey.

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Experiences
Olivia Eve Arkley

Floundering First Steps: The First Month Of Starting A PhD

Starting a PhD can be daunting at the best of times, but even more so during a pandemic. In this article, Olivia Eve Arkley shares her experiences and advice for making the most of the first month of a PhD, including practical tools and mental skills to aid completion. She also discusses the importance of becoming part of the academic community and carving out your own place within it.

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