The PhD Life Raft Podcast

Vicky Laina is a learning scientist with a focus on educational technologies in mathematics teaching and learning. She designs and studies learning experiences where the use of technology can support epistemic transparency and collaborative thinking amongst youth, with the goal of helping students reimagine what doing mathematics can look and feel like. Vicky has lived, worked and studied in 5 different countries and is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the Johannes Kepler University in Linz, Austria.     In this episode we explore the challenges and benefits of being an international PhD student.   Vicky shares tips about the application process and funding options.   She also opens up about the logistical problems of international study and how she navigated them.   We reflect on the cultural differences that may impact on your work but also on how the experience of studying abroad can enrich your journey.   You can make contact with Vicky here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vasilikilaina/   For a transcript of this episode go to www.thephdliferaft.com If you would like to receive a useful weekly email from the PhD Life Raft you can sign up here for ‘Notes from the Life Raft’: https://mailchi.mp/f2dce91955c6/notes-from-the-life-raft

Gina Holmes has worked both in industry and academia - with over two decades of experience in Higher Education.  As well as her own research experience  she has worked with dozens of doctoral candidates and hundreds (maybe more) of Master’s students, supporting them to complete theses they are proud of and which enable them to move on in their career.     In this episode we discuss the relationship between the PhD researcher and the supervisor/supervisory team.   We explore the issues that may arise and how you might navigate them in a way that supports both your research process and your own mental health.   Gina shares advice about managing supervision meetings as well as inviting reflection on how the relationship between researcher and supervisor may evolve during the PhD journey.   You can find out more about Gina and her work at www.drginaholmes.com Follow Gina on facebook or LinkedIn:  www.facebook.com/drginaholmes  and www.linkedin.com/in/drginaholmes       For a transcript of this episode go to www.thephdliferaft.com If you would like to receive a useful weekly email from the PhD Life Raft you can sign up here for ‘Notes from the Life Raft’: https://mailchi.mp/f2dce91955c6/notes-from-the-life-raft

Wafaa Aldhfairi, a PhD candidate at UNMC and creator of the Pharma Weekly Digest, shares her journey through pharmaceutical sciences. She discusses how Substack has transformed her PhD experience, allowing her to effectively curate and disseminate research. Wafaa emphasizes the balance between academic work and newsletter writing, addressing challenges and rewards in managing both. She highlights the importance of feedback and visibility in academia, offering practical tips for aspiring writers on leveraging platforms like Substack.

  Naomi finished her PhD in 2006, worked part-time and then full-time in commercial research and then re-entered academia as a Research Fellow at University College Cork, Ireland. She gained permanency in 2010 at the University of Plymouth, UK, but then decided to leave academia (again!) and started her entrepreneurial journey in 2019. She now runs Research Your Way Ltd, which provides bespoke research, evaluation and impact services to social purpose organisations.    In this episode we explore ‘alt ac’ career paths for PhDs.   Naomi encourages PhD holders to consider their skills and experience beyond academia, and suggests why their value may be higher in other sectors.   She shares her personal journey and highlights some options for researchers who want to continue researching but work outside of a university setting.   We end with a top tip on career planning.   You can make contact with Naomi here:   naomityrrell@researchyourway.com Career Development Newsletter (subscribepage.io) https://www.facebook.com/groups/altaccareersuk/   For a transcript of this episode go to www.thephdliferaft.com If you would like to receive a useful weekly email from the PhD Life Raft you can sign up here for ‘Notes from the Life Raft’: https://mailchi.mp/f2dce91955c6/notes-from-the-life-raft

Amal Abuzeinab, PhD is an architect, advisor, and academic at De Montfort University (DMU), School of Art, Design, and Architecture (ADA). Prior to joining academia, Amal practiced both in Sudan and UK.Amal is the Institute Head of Research Students – Institute of Architecture. Her leadership is guided and informed by the principles and practices of flourishing human from Positive Psychology. Amal supervises and examines Postgraduate researchers (PGRs) since 2016 focusing on Architecture, Built Environment, and related disciplines. She served as the Co-Faculty Head of Research Students (FHRS) for the Faculty of Arts, Design, and Humanities between 2017-2020.    In this episode Amal shares advice about disseminating your PhD findings.   She offers a ‘laddered’ process which will help you to build your confidence in discussing your research.   We also discuss how being strategic about your dissemination can help you to prepare for a successful viva.   Amal finishes with a top tip from her perspective as a PhD examiner on how you can assure your examiners about the quality of your thesis.       Amal has created a range of toolkits to enhance competence of both PGRs and supervisors - here are the links to two of them:    Links to open toolkits:   7 principles for PhD completion.pdf (edgehill.ac.uk) Checklist to write for publications.pdf (edgehill.ac.uk) For a transcript of this episode go to www.thephdliferaft.com   If you would like to receive a useful weekly email from the PhD Life Raft you can sign up here for ‘Notes from the Life Raft’: https://mailchi.mp/f2dce91955c6/notes-from-the-life-raft

If you are feeling paralysed by anxiety as to what your supervisor might think of your latest chapter or just doubting whether you are even capable of finishing the PhD at all then this is the episode for you!   Mandy Lehto is a reknowned executive coach.  After her doctorate she worked in investment banking and has also been a columnist for ‘Psychologies’ magazine as well as contributing to a number of other publications including ‘The Huffington Post and The Times.  She now hosts “Enough the Podcast” alongside her private practice.     In this episode Mandy draws on her research and shares her insights into the concept of ‘enoughness’ and how it can help avoid self-sabotage and stuckness.   She emphasizes the importance of questioning negative self-talk and suggests practices to reduce emotional reactivity.     In the episode we explore the fear and uncertainty of the doctoral process and how embracing the ‘boring basics’ can help to ground us.   You can find Mandy here: WWW.MANDYLEHTO.COM Linked In - @mandylehto Instagram - Mandy Lehto Enough, the Podcast on Spotify & Apple   Here are the details for The Curiosity Chronicle Sahil Bloom which Mandy mentions: https://sahilbloom.substack.com/   For a transcript of this episode go to www.thephdliferaft.com If you would like to receive a useful weekly email from the PhD Life Raft you can sign up here for ‘Notes from the Life Raft’: https://mailchi.mp/f2dce91955c6/notes-from-the-life-raft  

Piangfan Naksukpaiboon is currently an Early Stage Researcher and doctoral candidate in Medicine focusing on cancer genomics at the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences at Queen's University Belfast on the SPaRK program which is a Horizon2020 funded Marie Skłodowska-Curie doctoral training programme. Her move to Norway was when she discovered that she has Asperger’s Syndrome. However, she never let it define who she is.   In this episode Piangfun discusses her experiences as a neurodivergent scholar, including facing skepticism about her abilities.   She discusses negotiating ableism in academia and her process of self-advocacy.   Piangfun also shares how facing illness led to her passion for archery and how interests outside the PhD have helped her on the journey.   We finish with a top tip about being honest with yourself and others.   You can find Piangfan Naksukpaiboon here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/piangfannaksukpaiboon/   You can find a transcript of this episode at thephdliferaft.com   If you would like to receive a useful weekly email from the PhD Life Raft you can sign up here for ‘Notes from the Life Raft’: https://mailchi.mp/f2dce91955c6/notes-from-the-life-raft  

Krysten Blackstone is a Lecturer in International and Military History at the University of Salford, where she has been since 2022. She is a social and military historian of Early America and her current work examines the morale of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, 1775-1783.  As a PhD student she worked on and was chair of the blog Pubs and Publications: The PhD Experience where she wrote a number of blog posts on similar topics. She also works on the book reviews team for the Journal of American Studies.   In this episode Krysten shares her strategies for networking at academic conferences.   We talk about feelings of anxiety and how you can ‘break the ice’ when meeting new people.   We also discuss how to manage those awkward coffee breaks!   Throughout our chat Krysten emphasizes the importance of approaching networking with a spirit of curiosity and generosity and how this can lead to meaningful connections and successful relationships.   You can contact Krysten here: k.e.blackstone@salford.ac.uk  @KEBlackstone on twitter krystenblackstone.com      You can access the transcript for this episode here: thephdliferaft.com If you would like to receive a useful weekly email from the PhD Life Raft you can sign up here for ‘Notes from the Life Raft’: https://mailchi.mp/f2dce91955c6/notes-from-the-life-raft

Arun Ulahannan is an Assistant Professor at Coventry University, where he leads a range of user research and UX projects on transport accessibility, future transport, and gender inclusivity. He is passionate about creating and sharing knowledge that can inform and inspire policy, practice, and education in the transport sector and beyond. He also co-hosts the How to PhD podcast, a show that helps PhD candidates with the practical and essential skills they need for their academic journey.   In this episode we discuss the challenge of comparing yourself to other PhD researchers.   Arun discusses his own feelings of inadequacy and self doubt during his doctoral study.   We explore how to cope when imposter syndrome strikes and why uncertainty might be a sign that you are a good researcher!   Arun leaves us with a top tip about creating effective working relationships.   You can find out more about Arun here:   https://www.linkedin.com/in/aruntu/   And can get more information about his podcast ‘How to PhD’ here: https://www.howtophd.show/ For a transcript of this episode go to www.thephdliferaft.com If you would like to receive a useful weekly email from the PhD Life Raft you can sign up here for ‘Notes from the Life Raft’: https://mailchi.mp/f2dce91955c6/notes-from-the-life-raft      

Dr Elizabeth Yardley graduated from Aston Business School in 2007 with a PhD exploring young parent’s experiences of stigma. She has worked in UK universities since then, teaching and researching a range of social science subjects including sociology, social policy and criminology. In 2021, she set up Degree Doctor to help overwhelmed PhD students experiencing a range of issues including perfectionism and imposter syndrome. Her resources not only help students with the how-to elements of a PhD but support them as they navigate the messy and magical emotions of the doctoral journey.     In this episode we discuss the challenges of procrastination during a PhD journey - including fear of failure and criticism.  We consider how procrastination can turn small tasks into massive ones, creating a vicious cycle of delay and emotional distress.   Elizabeth offers some practical strategies for dealing with procrastination as well as highlighting the underlying issues that may be at play.   She also emphasizes the importance of self compassion and leaves us with a game-changing top tip to help you keep your momentum going. You can find out more about Elizabeth’s work here:    Degree Doctor YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@DegreeDoctor  Degree Doctor Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thedegreedoctor/  Degree Doctor Website https://www.thedegreedoctor.com/   Direct link to Procrastination First Aid Worksheet https://www.thedegreedoctor.com/procrastination-first-aid-opt-in  Etsy Shop - PhD Planners and Study Guides https://theplanningprofessor.etsy.com (Use code PHDLIFERAFT33 for 33% off anything in the shop)      For a transcript of this episode go to www.thephdliferaft.com If you would like to receive a useful weekly email from the PhD Life Raft you can sign up here for ‘Notes from the Life Raft’: https://mailchi.mp/f2dce91955c6/notes-from-the-life-raft