The PhD Life Raft Podcast

This week’s episode deals with an issue that many of us are grappling with - stress.   Jenny Mercer is Reader in Qualitative Approaches to Applied Psychology at Cardiff Metropolitan University. Her research interests focus on experiential enquiries of student experience and the impact of green care and outdoor activities on health and wellbeing. She is the Graduate Studies Co-ordinator for doctoral candidates in Health Sciences, and leads the Doctoral Wellbeing Initiative within the university. As a supervisor, chair of vivas and examiner of doctoral theses, much of her working week focuses on doctoral education in some shape or form so she has a lot of wisdom to share!   In this episode we talk about conducting experiential research and the development of Jenny’s own work in this field.   We also explore the potential sources of stress for PhD students as well as strategies for coping with it.   We also touch upon the importance of recognising you are not on your own and of sharing information and resources.   Here is the link to Jenny’s research and contact information: https://www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/health/staff/Pages/Dr-Jenny-Mercer.aspx   Here is the link to the material on the Eisenhower Matrix that Jenny discusses in the episode: https://www.eisenhower.me/eisenhower-matrix/ Don’t forget that you can sign up for The Phd Life Raft Podcast newsletter via the website: 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  

In this episode the fabulous Kat Low shares her experience of practice-based research - particularly her fieldwork in South Africa. Kat is a research-practitioner in the field of applied theatre and sexual health with a commitment to feminist-led research.  Her practice lies in creating participatory-led theatre and creative arts-based practice with local communities to explore and gain greater understanding of the key sexual health concerns they face.  She has published articles on theatre and health in a number of journals and co-edited Applied Theatre: Performing Health & Wellbeing (2017) with Dr Veronica Baxter for Methuen Bloomsbury. Kat’s monograph,  Applied Theatre and Sexual Health Communication: Apertures of Possibility for Palgrave Macmillan is about to be published.  During our discussion Kat stresses the importance of working in collaboration with all the stakeholders as co-researchers. She talks about the centrality of creating safe spaces for people to work in and how honesty is key.   Kat also talks about self-care as a researcher and the importance of acknowledging that the work is just part of your wider life experience.   Kat reflects on the challenges of researching during the pandemic and how social media and technology can open up possibilities for creative connections. You can make contact with Kat via email: Katharine.Low@cssd.ac.uk or via twitter: @katlow17   Don’t forget that you can sign up for The Phd Life Raft Podcast newsletter via the website: 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

This week’s podcast tackles the problems and possibilities of being a part-time PhD student.   Katie Hall is currently a creative practice PhD student, with project Queer as Friends. As a creative writing practitioner, Katie is editing her debut novel and freelancing as a journalist for LGBTQ lifestyle press. She has recently been longlisted for the second Primadonna Writing Prize, and will be included in the upcoming Arachne Press 'Tymes goe by turnes' anthology. In 2019, Katie was shortlisted for the Lichfield Cathedral The Word poetry prize. Katie is the creator and screenwriter of the first London LBQ web series, the award winning 'She's in London'.   In this episode Katie shares how her experience of cancer led to her take-up the opportunity of voluntary redundancy as a means to follow her passion for creative writing and research.     Katie talks about the PhD as a personal development process and shares some of the practical considerations of coming back into the academy and how to balance study with other interests and responsibilities.     She also talks about her innovative research project and her own creative process.  You can find out more about Katie’s work here: http://www.katiemhall.com/   The book Katie mentions is ‘Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World’ by Cal Newport.   Let us know if you have any recommendations for books/websites/other resources and don’t forget that you can sign up for The Phd Life Raft Podcast newsletter via the website: 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

Join Libby Bennett, a PhD graduate and lecturer in Drama at the University of Essex, as she shares her candid journey with OCD during her PhD. Libby dives into the nuances of mental health in academia, discussing the stigma and cultural pressures that persist. She emphasizes the power of self-awareness and the necessity of seeking professional support. Libby also highlights how understanding and acceptance can enhance diversity within academic environments, advocating for a supportive culture that prioritizes mental well-being.

This week’s episode focuses on how to look after your mental health and maintain balance and a sense of your own well-being when faced with a life-crisis during the PhD. My guest Lauren Graffin shares her experiences of negotiating her father’s serious illness and the death of her much-loved supervisor while undertaking her doctoral study.   Lauren completed her Master’s in Applied Drama at the University of Exeter, and her PhD at Ulster University. She worked extensively as a community performance facilitator, and her PhD research focused on site and community-based performance practice in post-conflict Northern Ireland.  She is now a full time Professor at Sheridan College, Wyoming. Lauren talks about the importance of giving time and space to your feelings and to recognise that, even if you can’t control the situation, you can control how you respond to it. We talk about journalling as a supportive practice and Lauren also suggests a couple of useful references: Susan David Emotional Agility: Get Unstuck, Embrace Change and Thrive in Work and Life (London: Penguin, 2017) And the work of Gabby Bernstein - you can find out more here: https://gabbybernstein.com/ The performance company that Lauren mentions is Wrights and Sites: http://mis-guide.com/ Lauren has also suggested some supplementary material which you might find useful:   For when you need inspiration to keep going: Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert For those who prefer to think technically and visually about managing their life:Designing Your Life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans For when you need advice on working effectively and joyfully:https://www.marieforleo.com For those who want to focus on developing healthy habits or consciously creating a happier life: Better than Before and The Happiness Project by Gretchin Rubin   You can contact Lauren via twitter: @LGraffin   Let us know if you have any recommendations for books/websites/other resources and don’t forget that you can sign up for The Phd Life Raft Podcast newsletter via the website: www.thephdliferaft.com We are also starting to share extra resources on pintrest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/phdliferaft/ The PhD Life Raft podcast is now up on YouTube!  You can find us here:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVVWxhoL1DFiXHiJSI4J9Kg You can also follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phdliferaft/ and Twitter: @thephdliferaft You can subscribe to us on apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-phd-life-raft-podcast/id1537420258 I look forward to connecting with you!  

Welcome back to the first episode of Season Two!   We are starting off with thinking about reciprocity and building a supportive and encouraging academic community.   Dr Dave Maslach is an Associate Professor in Innovation Strategy and Entrepreneurship at Florida State University.  In this episode we talk about his own journey through an undergrad in Chemical Engineering and Sociology into his doctoral programme in Business Administration.   Dave identifies the importance of believing in yourself and not giving up - particularly as the first generation to go to university.   As part of his desire to promote encouragement Dave has created the r3ciprocity programme https://www.r3ciprocity.com/ - a peer-support proofreading and editing platform.  He also broadcasts on his YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5spxk7bNDMGPSHjW_8ndZA   This episode is full of positive words and advice - including the top tip of taking a walk to help shift your mood.  There is lots of evidence about the benefits of walking.  Here is a link to a summary article: https://www.standard.co.uk/escapist/wellness/can-walking-help-mental-wellbeing-a4244901.html   Let us know what words of encouragement you would share with other PhD students! Contact us at: phdliferaft@yahoo.com   The PhD Life Raft podcast is now up on YouTube!  You can find us here:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVVWxhoL1DFiXHiJSI4J9Kg   You can also follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phdliferaft/   and Twitter: @thephdliferaft   You can subscribe to us on apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-phd-life-raft-podcast/id1537420258   Let’s get connected!

It’s the last episode of Season One and our Christmas special and we are celebrating with two guests!   Chloé Bradwell is a Drama practitioner and SWW DTP funded PhD candidate at the University of Exeter and Aberystwyth University. Chloé has held the positions of Activity Manager and Research Associate in care homes and continues working as a freelance Drama Practitioner in dementia care while undertaking her PhD part-time.   Rachel Hopkin is a first year, full-time, TECHNE funded PhD in the Media Arts department at Royal Holloway.  Her project explores the representation of love between humans and robots.  Like Chloé she has returned to study after experience in industry and has worked with two of the largest theatrical agencies in the UK.      In this seasonal episode we think about how to handle the holidays as a PhD student....   We talk about guilt; we talk about exhaustion; but we also talk about how to make the most of what this period may offer.    Rachel is looking forward to a change in pace after a pressurised first term and Chloe’s plans for the holidays are built around spending time with her daughter.   We talk about how rest can be a productive activity - for more information listen to episode 3 with Alex Soojung-Kim Pang on this issue: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/rest-why-you-get-more-done-when-you-work-less-alex/id1537420258?i=1000496719040   Rachel also shares some tips on how to build a support network - even if you are an introvert!   The podcast will be back with Season 2  on 5th January 2021.  Until then wishing you a peaceful Christmas and a very happy and healthy New Year!   

Feeling lonely is one of the most common difficulties for PhD students - particularly those studying overseas.   This week’s podcast talks to Georgina Binnie who founded the ‘Writing Back’ project in 2014; the award-winning scheme matches home-based and international University of Leed students as pen pals with older correspondents recruited via engagement with 26 local charities.     You can find out more about the project here:  https://www.writingback.co.uk/   In our interview Georgina talks about the scope of the project.  She also shares how her work on the project opened up a whole new career trajectory for her.     Georgina talks about the importance of the quality of connection rather than the quantity of people you are in communication with.     Georgina recommends volunteering or setting up your own project as an excellent way to mitigate the loneliness of PhD research.   You can contact Georgina here:  https://twitter.com/GeorginaBinnie ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1579-075X

Lynette Goddard is Professor of Black Theatre and Performance at Royal Holloway, University of London. Their research and teaching is focused in the area of the politics of contemporary Black British theatre and performance, including work on new writing by Black playwrights and contemporary Black productions of canonical plays.   In this episode of the podcast Lynette reflects on the experience of undertaking a PhD whilst also working and how the pattern of writing that was developed during that period has proved productive throughout the progression of their career.   We then talk about the Phenomenal Women project which Lynette was part of.  This was commissioned by Dr Nicola Rollock and grew out of her research work into the experience of black female academics.  You can find out more here: https://nicolarollock.com/black-female-profs.  The exhibition is documented here: https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/art-exhibitions/phenomenal-women   We talk about finding mentors within the academy and Lynette references authors that have been inspirational.  These include: bell hooks Audre Lourde Patricia Hill Collins Andrea Davis   Lynette encourages PhD students not to be afraid to look outside their discipline - and even outside the academy - to find a community that will support their work.   Lynette also emphasizes the importance of finding your “why” and using your sense of the legacy you will leave as a motivational force within the PhD process.   A ‘top tip’ book from Lynette is to work ‘bird by bird’ as outlined in the book Bird by Bird by Anne Lamont. The advice is to set time aside to write and trust that the creativity will be there and your work will develop.  Lynette also advises not to judge your work but just to commit to the writing.  

According to a study by The Council of Graduate Schools, 44% of doctoral students lose their motivation and do not complete their degree within 10 years.  Maintaining your passion and motivation for your PhD is a real challenge - especially in the times that we find ourselves in where just keeping going is a struggle.   Ciara Feely is a 2nd year PhD student with ML Labs in University College Dublin. In the second semester of her PhD program Ciara started the PhD and Productivity YouTube channel  to improve her public speaking.  On the channel she talks about being productive during a PhD, working from home, and maintaining work-life balance.   Ciara’s keen interest in productivity, led to the development of a startup with a fellow PhD student. They placed third in NovaUCD’s student enterprise competition this June and are continuing to develop Daysier, with the aim to provide personalised productivity solutions.   In this episode we dive into the challenges of productivity - from realistic goal setting to keeping focused.   Ciara shares lots of useful resources that can help you plan your work schedule and make effective use of your time.   You can find out more about the pomodoro technique here: https://francescocirillo.com/pages/pomodoro-technique   The two books Ciara references are:   Newport, Cal Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World, London: Piatkus, 2016.   Koch, Richard The 80/20 Principle: The Secret of Achieving More with Less, London: Nicholas Brearly Publishing, 2017.   You can connect with Ciara in the following ways: Ciara's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/PhDandProductivity Ciara's Instagram and Twitter: @ciaraxfeely Link to daysier: https://www.daysier.co/ Daysier's Instagram @daysier.co