The PhD Life Raft Podcast

Anna Clemens is an academic writing coach with a background in Chemistry and a experience as a science journalist.   In this episode we talk about developing your work for publication.     We talk about Anna’s own difficult PhD experience which led to her requesting a change of supervisor.   We also talk about her love of writing which was developed through her doctoral journey.   Anna shares advice on how to edit your work so that it is suitable for a journal.  We also discuss the process of identifying the right place to publish your material.   We end with a top tip to support your writing practice.   The website Anna mentions in the episode which gives details on the speed of the review process for different journals is this: https://scirev.org/   You can make contact with Anna here:   Website: https://www.annaclemens.com/  Twitter: @scientistswrite 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  

Isabeau Iqbal focuses on working with “ambitious perfectionists” and in this week’s episode she helps us unpick perfectionism and understand the elements which may be at play.   We talk about ‘analysis paralysis’ and the experience of stuckness.   Iabeau points out the positive elements of the perfectionist mindset and suggests ways to identify and build on your strengths.   Finally, Isabeau shares a top tip about priorities and orientating yourself. Following-up the episode, Isabeau has suggested 4 assessments for knowing your strengths:   VIA Character Strengths Survey https://www.viacharacter.org/ (free)   Standout by Marcus Buckingham: https://www.marcusbuckingham.com/ (free at present)   High5: https://high5test.com/ (free)   CliftonStrengths Assessment (paid) https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/252137/home.aspx You can find out more about Isabeu’s work here:   Website: www.isabeauiqbal.com LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/isabeauiqbal The PhD Life Raft will be running a 5 Day ‘Perfectionism Purge’ Challenge 4th-8th July.  You can sign-up to the waitlist here:  https://emmab.kartra.com/page/perfectwaitlist

Selina Busby is a Principal Lecturer in Applied Theatre at Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.  Her research and practice focus on theatre that invites the possibility of change, both in contemporary plays and in participatory performance. She has published widely in the field and is a co-editor of Research in Drama Education: The Journal of Applied Theatre.    In this episode we talk about Selina’s experience of conducting research and writing up a thesis as a person with dyslexia.   We talk about the aspects of neurodiversity that Selina sees as making her a stronger researcher.   Selina talks about her resistance to - and then love of! - having a support worker.   We reflect on strategies for writing and editing.   Selina shares the idea of “cognitive justice”.   You can find out more about Selina’s work here:  https://www.cssd.ac.uk/staff-profiles/dr-selina-busby

Ana Pineda is a scientist and a certified yoga instructor.  Those two passions are combined in her mindful approach to academic life; developed with more than 15 years of research experience at top European Institutions, such as Wageningen University and the Netherlands Institute of Ecology.    In today’s episode, Ana shares how she started applying her learning around calming the mind that she gained in her yoga training to the challenges of writing research papers.   She has continued to explore a mindful approach to academic life with an emphasis on bringing awareness to the moment.   Ana talks about becoming aware of the fear that may be holding you back and suggests some strategies to help you manage that fear.   We discuss bringing mindfulness to academic writing and Ana offers advice on how to make writing feel more pleasurable and less like a punishment!   You can find out more about Ana’s work here: https://www.ifocusandwrite.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

Alex Soojung-Kim Pang was one of my first guests on the podcast.  His book Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less is one that I regularly recommend to PhD researchers.   Alex is a visiting scholar in History and Philosophy of Science and Technology at Stanford University.  He is also the founder of Strategy and Rest, a consultancy advising companies on how to implement 4-day weeks. It’s this consultancy work that is the focus of our conversation.   In this episode we talk about the possibilities for working outside the academy as well as how to manage your work within academia.   Alex shares insights about how to make productive use of your time and offers advice on how best to structure your day.   We finish with Alex’s tips on creating an effective life balance as a researcher.   You can find out more about Alex’s work here: https://www.strategy.rest/

Usman Sikander is originally from Pakistan and moved to the UK to do a PhD in Advanced Composites (aerospace engineering) at the University of Bristol. He is currently writing up his thesis and working as a Teaching Assistant (TA) and a Chief Resident (C/SR) within the university.     In this episode Usman shares his top tips for surviving your PhD - particularly as an international student but the information is certainly applicable to lots of home students too!   Usman talks about his experience of culture shock and how this relates to the embodied experience of learning.   We talk about the importance of a social circle and how you might make new friends.   Usman reflects on the importance of developing hobbies and activities outside his research.   We talk about looking after yourself more generally - from cooking to finances.   Usman finishes with a reminder about the PhD as a process - not only of intellectual development but personal development too! The books that Usman recommends are:   ‘Atomic Habits’ by James Clear ‘Can’t Hurt Me’ by David Goggins You can contact Usman here: Twitter: @usmansikander_1 Instagram: usmansikander_1 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/usikander/ 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 Petra Boynton is an Agony Aunt and Social Psychologist.  She specialises in International Health Research from a Critical Perspective.  Her books include The Research Companion and Being Well in Academia.In this episode Petra begins by reflecting on her journey through her self-funded PhD.   We then address the issue of bullying in academia.   We talk about Petra’s own experience of witnessing bullying in academia, as well as being bullied.   We explore what to do if you are being bullied and Petra also shares advice for those who are aware that bullying is happening to someone else.   If you have been affected by these issues you should check your university’s Codes of Conduct and regulations, alongside ethical guidance. You might also want to join or form a union.   You can find Petra’s book is here:  https://www.amazon.com/Being-Academia-Insider-Guides-Success/dp/0367186705/ref=sr_1_1?crid=20LC8NPQR93BH&keywords=petra+boynton&qid=1652043010&sprefix=petra+boynton%2Caps%2C123&sr=8-1 You can sign up here to ‘Notes From The Life Raft’ - a useful weekly email to support you on your PhD journey: https://mailchi.mp/f2dce91955c6/notes-from-the-life-raft

Nicole Janz, scholar and coach, shares her experience of burnout within the university. Topics discussed include symptoms and identification of burnout, making space for self-check-ins, reframing your story, and being kind to yourself. The prevalence of burnout among PhD students is explored, along with the importance of self-care and self-compassion for recovery.

After a life changing event with breast cancer, Annie French enrolled onto an Art foundation course and has never looked back.  She discovered a passion for creativity and a love of research that is leading her into a PhD. Parallel to this, Annie’s yoga practice has sustained her and help her deal with the stresses and challenges that has come her way.In this episode we talk about the particular benefits of yoga for PhD researchers. We discuss self-care; noticing patterns of behaviour and Annie offers a very simple ‘re-set’ practice that you can do anywhere!   Annie will be running a ‘Yoga for the PhD’ session as part of The PhD Life Raft Summit.  You can save your seat for free here: https://emmab.kartra.com/page/phdliferaftsummit   You can find out more about Annie’s work here: https://www.healthylivingwithannie.co.uk/  

This week’s episode is a little bit different…   As I look forward to welcoming you to The PhD Life Raft Summit (25th-29th April) I wanted to share a little bit about my story and why I do what I do…   I talk about the passion to explore my subject which brought me back into academia and the challenges to my mental health that I experienced through my 5 years as a PhD student.   I also stress the importance of community and the message that you are not alone which sits at the heart of my work and drives the whole summit project!   To sign-up for the summit simply follow this link:  https://emmab.kartra.com/page/phdliferaftsummit