The PhD Life Raft Podcast

This week’s episode picks up on some of the themes from last week in terms of negotiating caring responsibilities alongside completing research work but it also explores the importance of supporting diversity and inclusion in academia.   Jen Leigh is a Senior Lecturer in Higher Education and Academic Practice within the Centre for the Study of Higher Education at the University of Kent and, amongst many other things, the Vice-Chair (People) of WISC (Women in Supramolecular Chemistry).   In this episode Jen talks about her journey through two very different PhD experiences and what she learnt about the importance of choosing a good supervisor and of having a supportive community around you.   Jen outlines the work of WISC and explores the equality, diversity and inclusion issues that the association addresses through activities such as mentoring schemes and skills workshops and we discuss this as a model with the potential to be rolled out into other disciplines - bring on the revolution!!   Here are some helpful links:   WISC's website www.womeninsuprachem.com   The essay in Angewandte Chemie https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/anie.202015297   WISC tweets as @suprachem with a dedicated public engagement account @labXX    Let’s connect! Sign up to our newsletter here: https://emmab.kartra.com/page/newsletter   Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/phdliferaft/   Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVVWxhoL1DFiXHiJSI4J9Kg   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phdliferaft/   Twitter: @thephdliferaft    

This week’s episode focuses on the PhD and motherhood as Anna Woolf shares her insights and experiences.      Anna is a Ph.D. candidate at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. Her research examines socially engaged arts, health and applied theatre in relation to teenagers with the complex autoimmune disease juvenile idiopathic arthritis.     In this interview Anna reflects on her personal connection to her PhD topic.  She also talks about how her life situation has meant that she has needed to work at her own pace through the project.   In this episode Anna identifies the ways in which caring responsibilities force you to focus.   She talks about ‘slow academia’ and allowing ideas the time to percolate.  Anna talks about the ‘garden of research’ and how it is important to take time to tend to what you are trying to grow as well as allowing for cross pollination.     Anna emphasizes the importance of a supportive community and of what she calls her “lady-gang”   Here is a link to Anna’s blog post on returning to study after having a baby:  https://motherofalllists.com/2018/08/03/going-back-to-study-after-a-baby-why/   Here is the link to The Slow Academic:  https://theslowacademic.com/   Here is the link to Kim Solga’s blog: https://theactivistclassroom.wordpress.com/   Here is a link to the work of Sue Mayo: http://www.suemayo.co.uk/   Here is a link to PhD and Early Career Researcher Parents: https://www.facebook.com/groups/776957585681408 You can contact Anna:  anna.woolf.net IG @socialmediamum TW @annabosworth Connect with the PhD Life Raft: Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/phdliferaft/ Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVVWxhoL1DFiXHiJSI4J9Kg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phdliferaft/ Twitter: @thephdliferaft

This week we are exploring how to enjoy writing your PhD. Our guest Dee Reynolds is a proofreader and copy editor, and an academic writing mentor.  She is a Professor Emerita (French Studies, University of Manchester) with a long career in research and publishing on topics ranging from French poetry to contemporary dance and neuroscience.  Dee talks about the pleasure she found in her own PhD journey and the importance of following your gut-instinct and about collaborating with people along the way.   Dee offers the metaphor of choreography for the process of writing your thesis and discusses how to create flow within your work; the importance of embodied learning; and the elements of a good literature review. She also stresses the importance of seeking out positive feedback during doctoral study and suggests where you might find it. You can contact Dee here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/professor-dee-reynolds/ https://scholar.google.co.uk/citations?user=zlEK2pQAAAAJ&hl=en http://www.watchingdance.org/ http://www.aestheticnetwork.manchester.ac.uk/   For more information you can sign up to our newsletter www.thephdliferaft.com Let’s connect! Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/phdliferaft/   Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVVWxhoL1DFiXHiJSI4J9Kg   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phdliferaft/   Twitter: @thephdliferaft

We are back for Season Three!!   I do hope that you found some time over Easter to rest and feel ready for the new term?  As if we ever feel ready for the new term?!!   This week’s guest is Jeff Weingarten who is a Professor of Language and Liberal Studies at Fanshawe College in London, Ontario, Canada.   Jeff reflects on his own difficult journey through the PhD and how he came to reflect on the narrative he had created for himself.     He talks about the process towards finding meaning in his work and how he managed his anxiety.   Jeff also talks about negotiating the job market and the importance of acknowledging the range of skills that you bring as a postgraduate scholar.  He also stresses the importance of not being afraid to change direction and “tell yourself a different story”. Here is a link to Jeff’s article: https://accute.ca/2018/06/11/tell-yourself-a-different-story-an-essay-on-surviving-the-job-market/   Here is a link to the book by David Epstein that Jeff references: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Range-Key-Success-Performance-Education/dp/1509843523/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3L41POJYKS9YL&dchild=1&keywords=david+epstein&qid=1619433854&sprefix=david+eps%2Caps%2C150&sr=8-1 You can contact Jeff on twitter: @JAWeingarten Or via email: jweingarten@fanshawec.ca Don’t forget to sign up to the newsletter - www.thephdliferaft.com

Allan Kilner-Johnson, Senior Lecturer in English Literature and Associate Dean of Postgraduate Research at the University of Surrey, discusses mindfulness and the PhD process. He shares a practical anchoring exercise and encourages PhD students to embrace a contemplative perspective. Allan emphasizes the embodied practice of research and the importance of becoming the person you want to be through the PhD journey.

This week’s guest is Nicole Brown - Director of Social Research & Practice and Education Ltd. and Lecturer in Education at the UCL Institute of Education.  Nicole was awarded her PhD in Sociology at the University of Kent for her thesis “The ‘I’ in fibromyalgia: the construction of academic identity under the influence of fibromyalgia”.    Nicole begins by talking about her own journey through the PhD as a part-time, mature student.   We then talk about what to do with all the ideas that come to you but don’t belong in your current project.   We also explore how a reflective journal can be a powerful tool on your PhD journey - as a means to process material and as a way of documenting your own thoughts and feelings around a subject area.   Nicole outlines the range of forms that a reflective journal might take and offers some ideas for practice.   She also reminds us of the importance of experimentation and why failure is just a mode of learning.   You can find out more about Nicole’s work here: https://www.nicole-brown.co.uk/ SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!   Do you struggle with motivation and productivity?   I know from my own experience how much a habit tracker can help.   You can now download a PhD Life Raft Podcast Habit Tracker for free! Just sign up here: https://emmab.kartra.com/page/phdhabit   And, if you would like to go into more depth you can join Dr Emma Brodzinski for a special session on ‘Productive Habits for PhD Students’.  You can find out more here:  https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/dr-emma-brodzinski-32701842647 Keep in touch: www.thephdliferaft.com

This week’s episode is all about getting to the finish line of your PhD!   Rowena Murray runs writing retreats for writers - with a particular specialism in working with academics and doctoral students.  Her publications include How to Write a Thesis, Writing for Academic Journals and How to Survive Your Viva.   In this episode we talk about what Rowena calls the ‘endgame’ of the thesis.  This is the moment when you are looking to draw together your work into a coherent document.   Rowena explores the shift in focus from your supervisor(s) to your examiners and how make sure you address the criterion for the doctorate.   She then talks about the potential support to be found in writing with other people and the benefits of focus and accountability it can bring.   Finally Rowena suggests writing a 750 word summary of your thesis that highlights the macro-argument of your work as a tool for reflection and development.   You can find out more about Rowena’s work here: www.Anchorage-education.co.uk www.facebook.com/groups/rmwriting/ As always, let us know your thoughts and things that you have found useful on your PhD journey at: phdliferaft@yahoo.com Let’s connect!   Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/phdliferaft/   Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVVWxhoL1DFiXHiJSI4J9Kg   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phdliferaft/   Twitter: @thephdliferaft

This week’s episode explores creativity, mental health and the PhD process.   Theo Stickley trained in mental health nursing and then did an MA in Counselling and qualified as a counsellor and worked as a nurse. In 2000 he began teaching at the University of Nottingham where he worked until 2019 when he retired. His PhD was in the arts and mental health. He supervised 11 PhD students and has externally examined 15 theses. He has 140 publications and now volunteers with a charity befriending asylum-seekers and refugees.   Theo talks about the PhD as a creative process and points to the importance of keeping a reflexive journal that documents the discoveries that you are making as part of your research “adventure” as he calls it!   He also talks about how tapping into your own creative intuition can help you if you are feeling stuck on your PhD journey.   We also talk about choosing a supervisor with a view to seeing if you can develop a good relationship with that person and not relying solely on academic credentials for your choice of examiner.   Finally Theo explains why there is no need to worry about your viva!   You find out more about Theo here: Work website:     https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/healthsciences/people/theo.stickley1 Personal website:  https://theostickley.co.uk/   Click here for Theo’s Top Ten Tips   Let us know what you think of this episode at: phdliferaft@yahoo.com Let’s connect!   Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/phdliferaft/   Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVVWxhoL1DFiXHiJSI4J9Kg   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phdliferaft/   Twitter: @thephdliferaft

This episode deals with the financial impact of undertaking a PhD.   Emily Roberts is a personal finance educator specializing in early-career PhDs based in the U.S.  Emily draws on her own experience as a graduate student to support others to make the most of their money.   In this conversation we talk about the ‘opportunity cost’ of doctoral study and the potential stress of financial pressures.     We also talk about recognising - and challenging! - the scarcity mindset of academia.   Emily also offers some useful tips for managing your financial situation.   You can find out more about Emily’s work here: http://www.PFforPhDs.com       Let’s connect!   Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/phdliferaft/   Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVVWxhoL1DFiXHiJSI4J9Kg   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phdliferaft/   Twitter: @thephdliferaft      

This week’s episode takes an honest look at the realities of the PhD journey.   Nick Rowe describes himself as a “trans-disciplinary educationalist”, with interests in scientific communication and academic/professional development. He is a fellow of the UK Higher Education Academy and the Society for Education and Training and worked as a lecturer in the UK but is now based in Finland.   Nick’s latest book is The Realities of Completing a PhD: How to Plan for Success and it draws on international data to explore key issues such as wellbeing, work-life balance and employment prospects for PhD students.   In this conversation we talk about the sense of disorientation that new PhD students might feel and what may be behind it.  We also talk about the challenges of the supervisor-student relationship and the wider systemic elements that may impact on your journey through the PhD.   Nick emphasizes the importance of independent learning and encourages doctoral students to see themselves as experts in their own field from the very beginning.   Here is the link to Nick’s book: https://www.routledge.com/The-Realities-of-Completing-a-PhD-How-to-Plan-for-Success/Rowe/p/book/9780367677626   And a link to more information on his work:    https://www.thephdlab.com/phd-in-finland/ Let’s connect! Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/phdliferaft/   Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVVWxhoL1DFiXHiJSI4J9Kg   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phdliferaft/   Twitter: @thephdliferaft