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.
Starting a PhD is a monumental task, demanding personal and academic growth and creating panic about where to start. In this article, a PhD student breaks down the most important things to bear in mind when starting your PhD, making the project your own, and even enjoying the ride.
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This article explores the gap between research and practice and explores how we can bridge this and better emphasise the value of research-informed practice.
Need guidance writing the reflexivity section of your thesis (or indeed writing reflexively throughout the thesis)? This article defines reflexivity as going beyond reflection to consider the influence of our positionality on our work. It covers three main types of reflexivity – personal reflexivity, methodological reflexivity and philosophical reflexivity – and includes some working examples to illustrate the thought processes and questions that facilitate transparency and rigor in research.
Karen, who recently started her PhD at the University of Leeds, reflects on her experiences adjusting to life in the UK, including the language barrier, slower pace of life, and the complexities of the PhD journey. She shares the struggles of finding her research direction, fighting gender stereotypes in academia, and the fears that come with being an international student.
Navigating motherhood and academia can be overwhelming, especially when they happen simultaneously. I discuss my experiences, struggles, and successes as an emerging researcher and new mother, and suggestions for universities to further support these populations moving forward.
Are you considering going straight from an undergraduate degree to a PhD, skipping the master’s? At 22 years old, Tess shares her experience of this and provides some valuable insights about how she prepared and applied for her PhD in Computing without doing a master’s degree.
What is it like to be a PhD researcher in Law? Rebecca Hall tells us about her experiences as a research council funded first year PhD student, six months in.
This article explores how advice, whether solicited or unsolicited, can damage the morale and hope of those doing a PhD. The purpose of this article is to comment on the boundaries that researchers must put in place to avoid being negatively affected: we must be discerning as to whether advice is useful and pertinent, or whether it is not applicable to us. The main message is: don’t listen to everyone, and trust your own judgement!
Learn how to get university funding for online courses. Real examples + a letter template to request support for your training.
