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.
Is it possible to complete your PhD thesis in just one year? Read these tips and tricks for writing your own theses. Discover how Jazli prepared before writing, utilized a “changelog” for his supervisors, wrote whenever he was in the mood, worked on a flexible schedule, had a supervisor that checked his content and not his writing, and, most importantly, enjoyed writing.
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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.
Adapting to changes in research plans is an important skill for all researchers. Karl Miller writes about the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, including working from home, the inability to access equipment, and the need to redesign studies. However, online data collection provided new opportunities for learning and developing new skills.
This article explores the experience of a gay man entering academia in an oppressive conservative culture, creating impossible contradictions between who they are and who academia wants them to be. Professional norms of academia clash with stereotypes of what ‘gay’ looks like to produce a suffocating costume that we often feel is necessary to survive. The article advocates for representation of minority groups in academia to expand ideas of who we can be – and for PhD students to care for one another and embrace our unique stories and identities.
This article suggests a number of places to start, such as building a good relationship with your supervisor, networking with your peers, planning your move and checking out any additional course requirements.
In this reflective article, Gemma Rides shares her PhD experience so far and provides advice for new PhD students. She discusses the importance of talking to supervisors and other students, getting into a routine, celebrating small achievements, and remembering that a PhD is more than just writing a thesis.
Are you a new PhD student looking to make connections before your programs starts? Kristin shares two big tips to help you hit the ground running at the start of your doctoral studies.
Anxiety is a debilitating condition that can make the simplest of tasks difficult, let alone a PhD. This empowering article follows Jake’s experience with anxiety during sixth form and university, and how once he discovered research he began to view anxiety as a superpower to keep his PhD pushing forwards. He shares anxiety-reducing techniques for when it gets too much, including affirmations and breath control, and emphasises the value of accepting anxiety in your life.
Onur Cem Aygın shares advice for PhD researchers based on his doctoral journey.
