Tara Brabazon podcast

Dr. Randa Khattar, a dedicated advocate for early career researchers, shares her expertise in balancing teaching and research. She discusses effective strategies for prioritizing projects, even introducing the concept of 'low-hanging fruit' to make ambitious goals more achievable. The conversation highlights the significance of regular 'research check-ins' to reassess productivity and accountability. Randa emphasizes the transformative power of research in education, encouraging early career researchers, particularly women, to embrace their vital roles amidst academic challenges.

Dr. Randa Khattar discusses the best social media choices for early career researchers with Tara. They explore academia.edu and LinkedIn as platforms, emphasizing the need for strategic usage, authenticity, and active participation to control professional narratives and network effectively in the academic community.

A teacher decides that the moment for professional development has arrived. But what are the key issues to consider in terms of career planning? Tara talks with Zeffie Nicholas about how a Masters of Education can enable career progression.

Tara and Mick talk about the new theorist that Mick may engage with or - as usual (!!!) - discard! This week, Mikhail Bakhtin is proving more significant for Mick and his work on memes. Mick's interest with 'voice' and 'resistance' may be finding some resonance in and with Russian Formalism...

What constitutes a poor supervisor? Discover the telltale signs and how to spot them early in a student's journey. The conversation highlights the confusion faced by PhD candidates when navigating ineffective guidance. An emphasis is placed on the crucial role of graduate centres in fostering a supportive atmosphere. The speakers share insights on the evolving responsibilities of graduate administrators in selecting competent examiners. Personal anecdotes add depth to the exploration of challenging supervisory landscapes in academia.

Doctoral students own their own work, so when should a supervisor add their name to a publication? Steve Redhead and Tara Brabazon enter this incredibly controversial area. Who owns a PhD student's publications?

Why do PhD students and supervisors have to fill in so many (damn) forms? How can we transform regulation into a positive outcome for the candidate and the candidature? Steve Redhead and Tara Brabazon explore the reason for forms and how they can enable progress, rather than deflect attention from the project.

How important is a co-supervisor? How are conflicts managed between supervisors and students? Steve Redhead and Tara Brabazon explore the strengths and profound challenges that emerge between supervisors. The creation of a harmonious supervisory team is a gift. When this relationship turns sour, then it can be debilitating for the student.

Discover the secrets behind successful PhD supervisory meetings, emphasizing the importance of clear expectations and preparation. Learn how constructive feedback and respectful communication can enhance student engagement. Explore innovative approaches to make meetings more effective and enjoyable, fostering collaboration and support. The discussion highlights the joy that can emerge from effective supervision, showing how laughter and mutual inspiration can elevate the academic experience.

The core challenge for PhD candidature management is negotiating the student and supervisor relationship. There are ways to ensure that it is a healthy and productive partnership, but it requires work, consciousness and - frequently - regulation. Steve Redhead and Tara Brabazon explore how the health of a student and supervisor relationship can be strengthened.