The PhD Life Raft Podcast

Natasha is a researcher, facilitator, and theatre-maker.  Her PhD research, specializing in applied theatre approaches to Relationships and Sex Education (RSE), was funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council.    In this episode we discuss how Natasha has turned her research into a business.   Natasha shares her journey into the PhD and how she drew on her practical experience with a Theatre Company to shape the scope of her project.   We talk about how her work developed - even in the shadow of the pandemic - and how it led to the delivery of workshops and performances which, in turn, has now become ‘Running at Walls’ a company specializing in consent education through creative methodology.   Natasha touches on the challenges of learning about the mechanics of running a business alongside her research work but also shares how the business has helped her PhD and vice versa.   We finish with a top tip on how to use your research skills to start your own enterprise.   You can contact Natasha here: info@runningatwalls.com https://www.instagram.com/runningatwalls/ https://twitter.com/RunningAtWalls https://www.runningatwalls.com/     You can find out more about the School for Social Entrepreneurs that Natasha mentions here: https://www.the-sse.org/    

Graham Green is currently working towards his Ph.D. at the University of Southern Queensland.  He has a background in the education, management and aviation sectors and holds a Masters Degree in Aviation Management from the University of New South Wales. He is an active member of the International Society of Air Safety Investigators as well as a member of the Australian Society of Air Safety Investigators.  He is also dad to 3 year old Luke!   In this episode we talk about scheduling work around a little person.     Graham talks about the changes he has had to make to his routine in order to be able to undertake his research and how he fits in paid work alongside everything else!   He shares tips on how to capture PhD related thoughts that emerge while you are engaged in caring responsibilities and how to make consistent progress.   You can contact Graham here: https://graham.green   If you would like a useful weekly email to support you on your PhD journey you can sign up for ‘Notes from the Life Raft’ here:  https://mailchi.mp/f2dce91955c6/notes-from-the-life-raft  

Nathan Ryder runs skills training for PhD students with a signature course entitled ‘Viva Survivor’ and daily blog of viva prep help.     In this episode Nathan talks about his new book ‘Keep Going ’which is full of advice for the PhD journey and we focus in particularly on preparing for the PhD viva.     Nathan shares thoughts on how to fit in viva preparation around the many other things that you might be doing in the period between submission and examination.   We discuss the benefits of rehearsing before the day of your viva.   Nathan also gives advice on the best way to annotate your thesis as part of the preparation process and how to create your own ‘special edition’.   You can find Nathan on Twitter as @DrRyder and @VivaSurvivors.   His website is http://viva-survivors.com/ and gives details on how you can purchase the book.   His podcast can be found here: http://viva-survivors.com/category/podcast/   The author Nathan mentions in the episode is Seth Godin - he is fabulous and his own great daily blog - you can subscribe here: https://www.sethgodin.com/   While you are signing up to things you could treat yourself to ‘Notes from the Life Raft’ which comes out weekly-ish. You can join us here: https://mailchi.mp/f2dce91955c6/notes-from-the-life-raft  

Dr Kate Mukungu is Chief Executive of Riverside Community Health Project in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. In September 2022 Kate completed her part time doctorate at Northumbria University researching women’s human rights activism relations in post conflict contexts.  As well as being the source of great richness to Kate, the dual interest of working in the voluntary and community sector and conducting research carries some frustration, due to difficulty of pursuing both fully at the same time. For five years during her doctorate Kate crossed over into academia and became a full time academic, lecturing in Social Sciences before returning to the community sector.    In this episode we talk about undertaking a doctorate when already living a full and committed life in terms of career, family etc.  Spoiler alert - it can be done!   Kate explains about how she used her professional experience in the workplace to project-manage the PhD and shares a genius tip of a whatsapp group of one to help with productivity!   Kate talks about the importance of ‘finding your people’ and how reaching out to other people helped and joining networks helped her get to the finish line.  She talks about the importance of people who will be there to celebrate successes as well as support you when you are struggling.   Finally Kate reflects on periods where she interrupted her studies as productive and useful parts of the process - as well as the dangers of “running on empty”.   You can find out more about Kate’s work here: https://www.riversidechp.co.uk/ If you would like a useful weekly email to support you on your PhD journey you can sign up for ‘Notes from the Life Raft’ here:  https://mailchi.mp/f2dce91955c6/notes-from-the-life-raft  

Milly Mulcahey is a second-year PhD student in the Center for Indigenous and Settler Colonial Studies at the University of Kent. Milly has worked actively with Indigenous educators since her undergraduate degree in Social Anthropology at the LSE and through a Master’s by Research at Durham University. She is a neurodivergent researcher passionate about improving accessibility within academia and is seeking that elusive work-life balance.   In this episode we talk about managing the festive season as a PhD researcher.   We talk about taking breaks and setting up systems to support yourself to be ‘out of office’.   Milly gives a reminder to tailor your rest so that it suits you!   She also gives some great advice on how to maintain momentum and ramp yourself back into work after the holidays! This is the final podcast of the season!  Wishing you a wonderful festive season and see you in January!   If you would like to start the year strong you can join us for The PhD Life Raft Plan-a-thon which will run from 9th - 13th January.  You can find out more here:  https://emmab.kartra.com/page/plan-a-thon

Iain Jackson is an architect and historian at the Liverpool School of Architecture. His research is mainly focused on 20thC architecture in ‘the tropics’.  Iain is currently PI on a Leverhulme Trust funded project to research the buildings of the United Africa Company.  He supervises 8 PhD students and has examined PhDs in Europe, Asia, and Australia.   In this episode we talk about the importance of project management for the PhD.   Iain suggests ways of breaking down the project into manageable chunks and for developing the ‘narrative arc’ of the thesis.   He also talks about the importance of planning and shares a top tip about focused working.   Here is the link to the template Iain has developed: https://iainjackson.gumroad.com/l/PhDNotionTemplate Many apologies, when we recorded the interview I thought that Iain was offering the template for free but he is making a small charge.     You can, however, access Notion for free here: https://www.notion.so/product?fredir=1   Here is the link to the Rock Garden that we discuss in the episode: https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/nek-chand-saini If you would like a useful weekly email to support you on your PhD journey you can sign up for ‘Notes from the Life Raft’ here:  https://mailchi.mp/f2dce91955c6/notes-from-the-life-raft

Katrina McChesney is a senior lecturer in education at the University of Waikato, New Zealand. Her research focuses on adult education, including doctoral education and supervision. She is currently co-leading the #DistanceDoctorates project which seeks to support, raise awareness of, and advocate for candidates who undertake doctoral research off-campus.    In this episode we talk about Katrina’s own experience of undertaking distanced doctoral study - whilst working, having a baby and moving house 11 times!   Katrina then shares the research she has been conducting in the area and the key issues around distance doctorates - both the positive aspects and the challenges.   We finish with exploring the importance of community and how to build that when you are away from the campus community.   You can find out more about Katrina’s work here:  https://doctoralresearchbydistance.wordpress.com/ If you would like a useful weekly email to support you on your PhD journey you can sign up for ‘Notes from the Life Raft’ here:  https://mailchi.mp/f2dce91955c6/notes-from-the-life-raft

Leanne Sobel is a Strategic Design Consultant and Researcher. She has a background in communication design and strategy and is passionate about the opportunities for design in business. Leanne is currently a PhD Candidate at the University of Technology Sydney, investigating the role of design in strategy. Leanne brings a wealth of experience to her practice, having worked on public and private sector projects in roles spanning design, strategy, management, research, and education.    In this episode we talk about Leanne’s route into study and her transition from work into the PhD.   Leanne shares her intense experience of starting her doctoral journey with small children during a pandemic!   She talks about the techniques and routines that have helped her navigate the challenges she has faced.   Leanne reminds us to not set the bar unrealistically high and the importance of reflecting on what is and isn’t working for you.   Most of all Leanne wanted people to know that, if you are negotiating the PhD whilst caring for others, you are not alone.   The book Leanne mentions is: ‘Burnout: Solve Your Stress Cycle’ by Emily and Amelia Nagoski. You can contact Leanne here: www.leannesobel.com If you would like a useful weekly email to support you on your PhD journey you can sign up for ‘Notes from the Life Raft’ here:  https://mailchi.mp/f2dce91955c6/notes-from-the-life-raft

Dr LaNysha Adams draws on her background in research to support others to empower themselves.   In this episode she shares reflections on her educational journey - including why she didn’t become an architect!   We talk about the experience of her difficult PhD defense and what she did to support herself afterwards.   LaNysha also outlines her idea of ‘Me Power’ - touching on the importance of community; identifying your strengths; expressing yourself and taking time to reflect.   She also takes time to remind us that you are never alone on the PhD journey.   You can find out more about LaNysha’s work here: https://www.lanysha.com/ LaNysha is one of the speakers at The PhD Life Raft Symposium.  You can join us from 7th - 11th November.  Save your seat here: https://emmab.kartra.com/page/phdliferaftsummit

Jo Nadin is a Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing at Bristol University.  She is also an award winning author with a background as a political speechwriter.   In this episode Jo shares her experience of the PhD process - both the journey into it and the the challenges within it - from balancing working with researching to managing relationships.   We talk about taking circuitous routes into academia.   We talk about how undertaking a PhD may affect your relationship with your partner.   And we reflect on how you change and grow during your doctorate.   You can find out more about Jo and her work here:  https://research-information.bris.ac.uk/en/persons/jo-nadin   A book Jo recommends on the creation of self is: ‘The Self Illusion’ by Bruce Hood. If you would like a useful weekly email to support you on your PhD journey you can sign up for ‘Notes from the Life Raft’ here:  https://mailchi.mp/f2dce91955c6/notes-from-the-life-raft