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

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

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

I am delighted to share this conversation with Mays Imad.

Mays serves as a Professor of Genetics, Biotechnology, and Bioethics at Pima Community College and is the founding coordinator of the Teaching and Learning Center.  Her current research focuses on stress, self-awareness, advocacy, and classroom community.   Through her teaching and research, Mays seeks to provide students with transformative opportunities which are grounded in the aesthetics of learning, truth-seeking, and self-realization.

In this interview Mays talks about her own journey from a humanities undergraduate to a STEM postgraduate and how her research developed through her deep love of teaching.

She talks about the difference between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ stress and how, when it is overwhelmed, the brain can become hijacked by emotions which hinder the capacity to process information as the focus is on survival.

She identifies how the experience of the pandemic has caused many people to slow down cognitively and how it is important to attend to activating our natural ‘reward network’ in order to calm the nervous system and allow information to pass to the cortex. 

Mays references John O Donohue’s discussion of cultivating a landscape of interiority.  You can access a recording with him here: https://onbeing.org/programs/john-odonohue-the-inner-landscape-of-beauty-aug2017/

Mays closes with an invitation to cultivate a sense of wonder through engaging with creativity and beauty.

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!

Wafaa Aldhfairi is a PhD candidate at UNMC, specializing in pharmaceutical sciences with a master's degree in the field. She's also the creator of the "Pharma Weekly Digest," a newsletter that shares the latest pharmaceutical news, making industry updates accessible to all. 

In this episode we discuss the PhD journey, research and how substack can contribute!

Wafaa shares her experiences of how she has used substack both to inform and disseminate her PhD research.

We talk about the challenges of curating a newsletter alongside the PhD as well as the benefits of regular writing deadlines!

We open up into a consideration of how to contribute to the wider research conversation.

You can find Wafaa’s substack here:  https://pharmaweeklydigest.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

This week is all about how to survive your viva!

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 own experience of a PhD in Mathematics at the University of Liverpool and the importance of the support his supervisor gave him.  

We then talk about his move into supporting PGRs as an independent researcher-developer.  Nathan has lots of encouraging thoughts to share - such as the reminder that, by the time you get to submission, you will be very skilled at facing difficult challenges.  He offers an hourly calculation which demonstrates how the odds are on your side to succeed! 

He emphasises the importance of mindset and how being nervous is a positive sign of anticipation!

You can find Nathan on Twitter as @DrRyder and @VivaSurvivors.  

His website is http://viva-survivors.com/

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 Inès Amami holds a PhD from Sorbonne Nouvelle University in French literature and civilization.  Her research is about the representation of the West and the Muslim world in the Encyclopédie de Diderot (18th century).   Ines is also a political activist in the field of women’s rights and fights against all kinds of violence.  She is a single mother of an 11 year old daughter.  

In this episode we talk about the challenges that Ines has faced over the course of her PhD journey which started in 2004 - including periods of illness and a toxic boss.  

We focus on Ines’ experience of being a single parent on the PhD journey and the discoveries she has made along the way.

Ines shares the tools that helped her stay on track during her doctorate.

We discuss mum guilt and how lowering your standards can be the key to success!

Ines stresses the importance of self care as a foundation for single parenthood.

We finish with a top tip around asking for help.

You can contact Ines on twitter here: @inesParisFr

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

Rachel Campbell completed her PhD in visual culture, celebrity studies, and musicology. Her thesis, 'The image of musical celebrity in the Nineteenth Century' considers the way visual representations of musicians influenced how they were seen as celebrities through analysis of oil portraits, busts, prints and other ephemera. She also holds a Bachelor of Music (First Class Honours) and is a professional musician and has been a music teacher for nearly 20 years. She has three children who play 8 musical instruments between them, and so in her spare time you can find her playing D&D (her current character is a Paladin called Florence Lightbringer) to try to escape the noise.

In this episode Rachel shares her unique journey into academia, having started her university education later in life after having children.  Rachel discusses the initial motivations for pursuing a doctorate and how she navigated through the tough times and challenges during her PhD journey.

Rachel opens up about significant life events that occurred during her PhD, including her mother's battle with breast cancer and the end of her marriage.  She talks about the importance of recognizing when you need a break and taking that time to prioritize personal well-being.  Rachel emphasizes the need for self-compassion and modeling positive behaviors, especially for children, while pursuing a PhD.

Rachel shares her ‘happy ending’ and the fulfillment she finds in her current role and encourages other PhD researchers to “back themselves” as their undertake their doctoral journey.

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

This week’s episode is both inspirational and a cautionary tale.  Catherine Pope was awarded her PhD by the University of Sussex in 2014. She talks about her own PhD experience both in terms of how she utilised her professional project-management skills within her doctoral journey but also how her own health was compromised as she undertook studying alongside full-time work.

Catherine went straight into a Master’s programme having not been to university before.  She then went on to complete her PhD working weekends.  We talk about the challenges of that way of working and how to look after yourself along that journey.

We talk about setting up useful routines and what to do when you are having a bad day.

Catherine discusses her use of Focusmate to structure her routine:  https://www.focusmate.com/

We also talk about doing things your future self will thank you for and Catherine proposes the idea of the ‘Minimum Viable Thesis’.

You can find out more about Catherine’s work - including her books How to Finish Your PhD and How to Publish Your PhD here: www.phdprogress.com.


Sign up to 'Notes from the Life Raft' and receive a weekly email with useful info to support you on the PhD journey: https://mailchi.mp/f2dce91955c6/notes-from-the-life-raft

We all have that inner critical voice and this week’s guest is going to help us deal with it!

Amy Boyd was a K-12 educational leader who wrote her dissertation part-time while working.  The challenges she experienced on her own journey led to her working to support other women in their doctoral studies.

In this episode we talk about perfectionist tendencies and how to overcome them.

We explore how the PhD journey can transform the person you are.

We also think about how tapping into the future “Dr You” can help deal with what Amy calls the “inner mean girl”!

You can find out more about Amy’s work here: https://www.writethedamndissertation.com/

You can sign up to regular love notes from the Life Raft here: https://mailchi.mp/f2dce91955c6/notes-from-the-life-raft

Dr. Kate Massey-Chase is an academic, facilitator, activist, performer and writer. She’s a Lecturer at Plymouth Marjon University, where she’s leading a new MA in Arts, Health and Wellbeing. As a creative arts practitioner, she has worked across a range of educational and community settings, including delivering theatre-based and creative writing projects with young migrants, recovering addicts, prisoners and mental health service users.

In this episode Kate shares her remarkable journey through the challenges of navigating a PhD while trying to start a family.

CONTENT WARNING - This episode touches on issues including miscarriage and failed IVF cycles.

Kate discusses how ‘firsts’ on the PhD and fertility journey happened simultaneously.   

She reflects on the struggles of managing the "messy middle" of the PhD journey while dealing with personal loss and fertility treatments but also shares how the PhD served as a creative outlet.

Kate emphasizes the importance of trusting your instincts and being adaptable in the face of unexpected challenges and the significance of rest and self-care.

The episode finishes with a top tip to help people keep moving forward.

You can contact Kate here:
email : kmassey-chase@marjon.ac.uk 

Socials: @KateMasseyChase 

This is the MA that Kate mentions in the episode:  

https://www.marjon.ac.uk/courses/arts-health-wellbeing-masters/ 

For more information about IVF:

https://www.hfea.gov.uk/treatments/explore-all-treatments/in-vitro-fertilisation-ivf/

For support for the fertility journey: 

https://fertilitynetworkuk.org/

https://www.fertilityfriends.co.uk/

Instagram also has a fabulous fertility community #fertilityjourney #IVF #TTC

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

Alex Chapman is an AuDHD Music Psychologist based between the Royal Northern College of Music and Drake Music Scotland, funded through a Collaborative Doctoral Award from the Arts and Humanities Research Council (UK Research & Innovation). They focus on neurodivergent musicians and audiences’ experiences and challenges in live music settings, specifically auditory processing. They are well-versed in accessibility and reasonable adjustments, and are part of various networks relating to neurodiversity, music, and accessibility research and practice; these promote accessibility in music training, performance, and industry. Alex values community, openness, and honesty throughout education and employment, allowing for experimentation and transparency within the learning process.

In this episode we explore what reasonable adjustments are and how to figure out what is right for you. Alex shares examples of what they have found useful and offers tips for navigating the process.

We attend to particular challenges; communicating with the institution and the difference that the right adjustments can make!

If you would like to contact Alex about this episode, please direct message them on Instagram via @neurospicy_bean.

  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

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!

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

Alex Soojung-Kim Pang’s book Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less is a book that I regularly recommend to PhD students.

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.  In this interview he shares his own journey negotiating the academic job market and his experience of undertaking scholarly work outside of the academy.

We then get into discussion of Alex’s research into the importance of rest.  We discuss the relationship between rest and creative thinking - particularly the way in which napping can serve memory consolidation!

Alex addresses the culture of busy-ness in academia and how this is more likely to lead to stress and burnout than productivity.

We finish with Alex’s top tips around developing clear boundaries that protect your down-time.

Kate Henry  is a productivity coach, independent scholar, and author who lives outside Boston, Massachusetts in the U.S.  Kate received her MFA degree in Creative Writing and her Master's degree and Doctoral degree in Rhetoric and Composition from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.  

In this episode, we focus on an upcoming event ‘A Month of Mondays’ - which is designed to help PhD researchers plan for a productive Summer.

We talk about getting ready for the summer and Kate touches on many of the issues that come up for doctoral candidates over the season.  She addresses how to plan effectively, making the best use of your personal resources.  She talks about how you can make goals actionable and achievable and how to maintain motivation.

We also discuss the importance of rest and how to manage the rhythm of your work across the summer.  

Kate leaves us with a top tip around identifying priorities.

You can find out more about Kate’s work here:

Website: thetendingyear.com

Instagram: @thetendingyear  

You can find my previous interview with Kate here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/goal-setting-for-phd-students-with-kate-litterer/id1537420258?i=1000526248880

You can save your seat for the ‘Month of Mondays’ here for free:  https://emmab.kartra.com/page/monthofmondays

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

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

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

A 2021 survey by The Chronicle of Higher Education found that almost 70% of US faculty members were experiencing a level of burnout.  Stress and burnout are certainly very common in the academy and the pandemic has only made that worse.  In this episode Nicole Janz, writer, scholar and coach, discusses her own experience of burnout within the university and what she learnt from it.

We talk about symptoms and how to identify burnout.

We talk about making space to check-in with yourself - and the importance of putting it in your calendar.

Nicole suggests a process of reframing your story and gives a top tip around being kind to yourself.

You can find out more and make contact with Nicole here: https://nicolejanz.com/

As part of the episode we reference the work of Rowena Murray.  You can find her podcast episode here: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/how-to-finish-your-thesis-with-rowena-murray/id1537420258?i=1000512099557

We also talk about Catherine Pope. Her podcast episode is here:

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/managing-self-care-on-the-phd-journey-with-catherine-pope/id1537420258?i=1000548140262

Both Rowena and Catherine were part of the recent PhD Life Raft Summit and you can gain access to the replays of their live sessions - as well as Catherine’s ecourses on ‘How to Edit Your Own Academic Writing’ and ‘Preparing for Your Viva’; Rowena’s article documenting her work; and lots of other resources - in the PhD Life Raft Summit bonus bundle.  The bundle is available to purchase until Monday 9th May for £48 (the price will then increase to £99).  You can find out more here: https://emmab.kartra.com/page/jxF199

Kaelyn Grace Apple is a second year combined PhD student in the Department of History and African American Studies at Yale.  One of her passions is demystifying academia and providing access routes to higher education and, as part of this work, she launched her own You Tube channel TheRedHeadAcademic.

In this episode we Kaelyn shares her story - from not wanting to go to college at all to wanting to get on to a PhD programme!

She talks about how she found support on You Tube that helped her develop the skills she needed and believe that she was smart enough.

Kaelyn emphasizes the importance of trusting your gut and doing what works for you.

We also address what exactly it is that PhD researchers do all day!! 

You can find out more about Kaelyn and her work with Accepted Society here:  https://acceptedconsulting.com/

You can sign up here for ‘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

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 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

David Mendes is the host of Papa PhD, a podcast that shares stories of post-PhD career journeys.  He is also the co-founder of a media agency dedicated to serving the research community.

In this episode David reflects on his own journey as, at the end of his PhD, he chose to look to for work beyond academia.  

We also talk about why the world needs PhDs - and the valuable skills and experience that doctoral researchers can bring to the workplace and society at large.

David shares a wide range of examples of post-PhD careers - from Google to government - including a surprising route for a doctorate in Chemistry. 

We finish with top tips for networking without the schmooze.

You can find out more about David here:

Twitter - @papaphdpodcast

Youtube.com/PapaPhDYT

Email - david@papaphd.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

My fabulous first guest is Chloe Lee a 3rd year History student undertaking a practice-as-research PhD.

Chloe talks about three key things that she wishes she had known more about when she was starting her PhD.

Shares how she structures her time and creates a manageable rhythm for working.  She talks about her own experience of part-time work as a helpful aspect in shaping her week and we touch on the importance of transition moments in the day and how to make them work for you.

She shares her own methods for self care and personal development - if you would like to know more about the enneagram system that Chloe discusses The Ennegram Made Easy by Baron and Wagele gives a really clear and simple outline.

We discuss how a commitment to promoting well-being can help to shift the culture of the academy.  I mention the book Academic Tribes and Territories by Becher and Trowler that explores the process of enculturation into academic life and we note that the new generation of researchers have the opportunity to challenge established norms.

Chloe reflects on how she wished she had realised what a big challenge the PhD would be on many levels and shares her process of developing healthy boundaries and support structures.  

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

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

Dr Kathleen Vacek is an academic writing coach who researches lived experiences of doctoral writing and scholarly publishing. During the course of her PhD, she became a mother and left her full-time academic staff position. She was supported on this rocky journey by a doctoral writing group she formed with members of her program cohort.

In this episode Kate shares how her group was formed and maintained and reflects on her experience of what worked and what was not so useful.

She also offers some alternative models for doctoral writing groups and advice for those who would like to try this way of working.

Here is the info on the Sarah Haas chapter Kate mentions in the chapter and the article she wrote with her colleagues on their experience

• Haas, Sarah. "Pick-N-Mix: A Typology of Writers’ Groups in Use." In Writing Groups for Doctoral Education and Beyond: Innovations in Practice and Theory, edited by Claire Aitchison and Cally Guerin, 30-48. London: Routledge, 2014.

• Kathleen Vacek, William J. Donohue, Amanda Gates, Alice Shu-Ju Lee & Shelah Simpson (2021) Seeking balance within personal writing ecologies: a collaborative autoethnography of a doctoral student writing group, Studies in Continuing Education, 43:1, 104-118, DOI: 10.1080/0158037X.2019.1703670

You can contact Kate here:

kate@yourphdcompass.com

yourphdcompass.com

https://www.linkedin.com/company/compass-academic-coaching/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091276196636

https://www.instagram.com/yourphdcompass/

For a transcript of this episode go to www.thephdliferaft.com

Productivity is an issue that PhD students often struggle with and this week’s episode offers lots of practical advice to help you through! 

Dr Kate Litterer is a Productivity Coach, independent scholar, and author who lives outside Boston, Massachusetts in the U.S.  Kate received her MFA degree in Creative Writing and her Master's degree and Doctoral degree in Rhetoric and Composition from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.  

In this episode we talk about Kate’s journey through an MFA; into a PhD; and then on to developing her own coaching business.

Kate reflects on her work with “dissertators” (love that word!) and particularly focuses on how she helps people with goal setting.

She talks abouts how goals need to be both actionable and achievable and she outlines her own “Goldilocks” method for goal setting!

Kate emphasizes the importance of checking-in with yourself - especially your body - in terms of how you are feeling about the work you are doing and the magic of setting intentions.

We discuss productivity as a political issue and the importance of challenging work-a-holism culture.

We finish with Kate’s top tip of working with a ‘must do’ list rather than a ‘to do’ list.  

You can contact Kate here:

Website: thetendingyear.com

Instagram: @thetendingyear  

You can get your hands on her book here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tend-Holistic-Guide-Intentional-Productivity/dp/1735802204

Don’t forget that you can sign up to receive “Notes from the Life Raft” a really useful email to support and inspire you on your PhD journey.  Just click here: 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 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

I know that many people can relate to thinking “I’m not smart enough to finish this PhD”.  This inner critical voice can, in itself, be paralysing and feed into a downward spiral where lack of progress feeds self-doubt which leads to lack of progress which feeds self doubt and so on and so painful…

This week’s episode is a positivity pep-talk from Kaylie Zapanta a current doctoral candidate at the University of Southern California.  Kaylie has a background as an exercise coach and trainer and she is employing the motivational skills she uses with clients to support herself on her PhD journey.  

In this episode we recognise the importance of mindset and explore learning how to learn and the growth mindset.

We talk about perfectionism and how to overcome perfectionist tendencies.

Kaylie also shares her top tip for other PhD researchers.

You can connect with Kaylie on instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/kayliezapanta/?hl=en and on linkedin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaylie-zapanta/

David has published widely on modern British and European history, including studies of working-class autobiography, literacy and popular culture and we focus on his recent book on solitude as a springboard to consider the experience of loneliness on the PhD journey.  

We think about how the transitional nature of the PhD experience can be a trigger for loneliness and the difference between loneliness and solitude.

We also discuss the challenges that some people face in finding their own space to study.

David talks about the importance of “keeping in motion” - which might literally mean taking your PhD for a walk!

You can find David’s book here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/History-Solitude-David-Vincent/dp/1509536590/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2OVU9458273JX&keywords=a+history+of+solitude&qid=1643032308&sprefix=a+history+of+solitude%2Caps%2C64&sr=8-1

And here is the link to The Cinnamon Trust whose work we discuss in the episode: https://cinnamon.org.uk/

You can sign up here to ‘Note from the Life Raft’ - a useful weekly email to support your PhD journey:  https://mailchi.mp/f2dce91955c6/notes-from-the-life-raft

Rebecca Suart has been a Social Researcher in the Civil Service since graduating from her PhD in Education at the University of Nottingham in 2022. She started her academic journey and onto a PhD in her 40s after taking a career break from Further Education. Alongside her PhD, Rebecca worked in a number of universities as a lecturer and researcher in the field of Vocational Education and Training.

In this episode, Rebecca shares how the menopause crept up on her during her academic studies, and how she hadn’t realised that some of her early symptoms were in fact the perimenopause! 

She acknowledges the difficulty of the mid-life PhD, not least of which that it often co-occurs with other stressful life events such as dealing with adolescent children and ageing parents, as well as the menopause. 

Rebecca explores the practical steps she took to get help and how she invested in her well-being so that she could get to the end of her PhD. 

Through her experience, Rebecca offers hope that, with support, friendship and a holistic approach, you can navigate this difficult period and achieve your PhD.

The doctor we mention in the episode is Louise Newson aka the menopause doctor.  You can find her here:  https://www.instagram.com/menopause_doctor/?hl=en

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

From her extensive work in the field Valerie Young guesses that approximately 90% of PhD students experience imposter syndrome!  In this episode she offers some reflections on why academic culture may feed that anxiety of being found out as a fraud; as well as offering some advice on how to shift your perspective.

Dr Valerie Young is the author of the award-winning book The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women: Why Capable People Suffer from the Impostor Syndrome and How to Thrive in Spite of It.  In addition to speaking at such diverse organizations as Google, IBM, Procter & Gamble, Facebook, Merck and NASA, Valerie has also spoken to students and faculty at over 100 universities in the US, Canada, Europe, Japan, and the UK including Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and Oxford.  Her work has been cited in dozens of popular and business outlets around the world including BBC, Newsweek, Time, Science, and The Chronicle of Higher Education.  

Valerie begins by reflecting on her own experience of graduate school - which included her discovering Clance and Imes’ work on The Imposter Phenomenon.  You can find out more about that research here: https://www.paulineroseclance.com/impostor_phenomenon.html

In working with imposter syndrome, Valerie emphasizes the importance of identifying unconscious patterns that may lead to feelings of self-doubt.  She explores how academic culture may feed those feelings - and tells a very funny story about smurfs while she is at it!

She reminds us that failure is part of everybody’s CV.  The link to the Princeton Professor’s Failure CV is here: https://www.princeton.edu/~joha/Johannes_Haushofer_CV_of_Failures.pdf

(I love how he notes that so many more people have been interested in this document than in the one that details his successes!)

The interview ends with a wonderful reminder that our work is not just for us.  That there are people out there waiting to benefit from our research and it is an act of service to share it with them.

You can find out more about Valerie’s work at https://impostorsyndrome.com/

Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for more information and support.

Nicholas Dirks is President and CEO of the New York Academy of Sciences, one of the oldest scientific organizations in the United States. Previously, Nick served as Chancellor of the University of California, Berkeley and Executive VP and Dean of the Faculty for Arts and Sciences at Columbia University. He is the author of eight books, including the forthcoming book, City of Intellect: The Uses and Abuses of the University.

In this episode shares his own experience of the PhD and starting out on an academic career.  

Nicholas offers his perspective on the changing culture of academia and the particular challenges and opportunities that are in play.

He then explores the idea of graduate education and alternative forms of knowledge production and dissemination.   Nicholas emphasizes the importance of connecting graduate programs with pressing global issues, such as AI, climate change, and geopolitical tensions, in order to prepare doctoral candidates for meaningful contributions to the world beyond academia.

We finish the episode with a top tip around writing and inspiration.

 You can connect with Nicholas here: 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nickdirks
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-dirks-84a1ab149/
Website: https://www.nicholasbdirks.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

Dr Rose Aslan was a tenured Professor of Religious Studies who found herself burnt out and, on a sabbatical in Istanbul, decided to step away from academia. From her current perspective, Rose explores what she would do differently if she were to do her PhD again.

Rose acknowledges that, although there were some good moments, she didn’t really enjoy her PhD experience and, with the benefit of hindsight, she can identify where an approach with prioritized well-being would have greatly improved that experience.

Rose reflects on what she calls her past “people-pleasing” tendencies and how she has learned to prioritize her own needs and say no to situations and relationships that don't serve her.  Rose offers the idea of  “compassionate boundaries” and the positive impact they can have on energy levels and personal fulfillment.

Rose also encourages PhD researchers to seek out resources and support systems in order to help their PhD journey. It is OK to seek help!

We end with a top tip around grounding in order to assuage anxiety.

You can find out more about Rose’s work here:
https://compassionflow.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

Jen Harrison earned her PhD from the University of Wales, and has since worked in academia as a lecturer and researcher at a number of institutions worldwide.  As well as publishing books and articles in her own field (children’s literature), she has served as an editor and reviewer for a number of peer-reviewed publications, as well as freelancing as an academic editor.

In this episode we talk about the feeling that you don’t belong in academia.

Jen highlights the fact that learning at undergraduate and even Masters level does not prepare you for the level of work and type of work required for the PhD.

We talk about the gaps in provision that may leave PhD researchers feeling unsupported and the importance of asking for help in order to gain the tools you need.

Jen also talks about what she calls ‘affirmative behaviours’ and we discuss why these might be so powerful.

Here are Jen’s contact details:

Home page: www.readwriteperfect.com. 

Email address: jen@readwriteperfect.com. 

Twitter handle: @perfect_write.

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 Eve Grubin is the author of Morning Prayer (Sheep Meadow Press), The House of Our

First Loving (Rack Press) and Grief Dialogue (Rack Press). She is a lecturer at NYU in

London and a tutor at the Poetry School. Eve received an AHRC / TECHNE  scholarship to

write her PhD thesis (Kingston University): ‘Boat of Letters and the Poetics of Reticence: A

Creative and Critical Thesis’. 

In this episode Eve reflects on how, as a professional poet, she came to mastering academic writing within her PhD.  She talks about how, even though she was confident as a writer, she experienced challenges to developing her voice within her doctorate and shares some advice for those facing similar struggles.

Eve shares how understanding of the work of the thesis as contributing to a wider conversation within the scholarly community helped her to shift her perspective.

We also discuss the elegance of a well-crafted footnote!

The episode finishes with a top tip about the importance of identity.

You can find out more about Eve’s work here:  https://evegrubin.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

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

Jen Polk did her PhD in History from the University of Toronto and went on to launch from Ph.D. to Life, a career coaching and speaking business.  She specialises in graduate education and careers for doctoral degree holders. She’s also a guest speaker on university campuses and academic and professional conferences throughout North America and beyond. 

In this episode we focus on life after completing a PhD and the transition from academia to the professional world.

Jen emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and offers some key questions to complete before embarking on a job search.

We acknowledge the challenges of the current job market and Jen offers ideas to help navigate them.  

Jen highlights the importance of informational interviews and provides practical tips for setting them up.  

You can find out more about Jen’s work here: https://fromphdtolife.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

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

This week’s guest is the amazing Gilly McKeown AKA @neurodivergent_researcher.  

We begin by talking through the twists and turns of Gilly’s own story; and her spirit of curiosity  will be an inspiration to anyone who is still trying to find their ‘thing’.

We then talk about her own late diagnosis of Autism and self-diagnosis of ADHD and the possibilities and challenges she faces as a neurodivergent scholar.

Gilly shares some of the strategies that she has found useful and promotes finding community as a way of accessing information and support.

Here are some of the references Gilly recommends:

Twitter -

@drmbotha

@autisticscienceperson

@jacdenhouting

@katybenson20

@desirjones

@kaydenstockwell

Instagram - 

@actually_aspling

@notesfromthephysicslab

@sara_theadhdacademic

Facebook Groups - 

Neurodivergent Graduate Students 

Autistic Researchers Researching Autism 

You can contact Gilly here: 

Instagram is neurodivergent_researcher

Facebook is that too

Twitter is gemckeown1

Website is neurodivergentresearcher.com

You can sign up for ‘Notes from the Life Raft’ - a useful weekly email to support your PhD journey here: https://mailchi.mp/f2dce91955c6/notes-from-the-life-raft

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

Jessamy Gleeson currently works as a Senior Lecturer within the National Indigenous Knowledges Education Research Innovation (NIKERI) Institute at Deakin University. She has also worked at Monash University within the Art, Design, and Architecture department, and at Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne. Her PhD, from Swinburne University, was focused on contemporary forms of feminist activism within social media.

Jessamy’s article Troubling/trouble in the academy: posttraumatic stress disorder and sexual abuse research. High Educ (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-021-00764-x is an autoethnographic exploration of the impact that research can have on the researcher.  In this episode we talk further about Jessamy’s own diagnosis of PTSD and reflect on how this was handled within the academy.

Jessamy also highlights the vulnerability of PhD researchers and we talk more generally about processes such as the ethics committee and measures that might safeguard individual scholars.

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 Sarita Robinson (aka Dr Survival®) has spent the last 20 years researching how people respond to life-threatening situations. Using a psychobiological approach, Sarita has explored human behaviour in relation to preparedness, cognitive and physiological responses during stressful events, and recovery from trauma. 

In this episode Sarita applies what she has learnt from her survival research to help navigate the stresses of the PhD.

We talk about how a near fatal experience was the catalyst for Sarita’s own PhD journey.

We talk about the stressful nature of the PhD and how it is important to gather the right resources to support yourself.

Sarita talks about the importance of support and the experience of ‘trauma bonding’ - where people in extreme situations form very strong connections - and how this can happen on the PhD journey.

Sarita also challenges the conventional understanding of what it means to be resilient within your doctoral study and suggests that sometimes you need to make changes to a toxic environment rather than just enduring it.

You can find out more about Sarita’s work here: https://www.uclan.ac.uk/academics/sarita-robinson 

drsurvival – The psychology of survival

Email - SJRobinson1@uclan.ac.uk

The doors to The PhD Detox with Dr Emma Brodzinski are closing!  

6 weeks to de-toxify your PhD journey…

You can find out more here:  https://emmab.kartra.com/page/detoxyourphd

Victoria has more than 10 years experience as a consultant medical herbalist and functional medicine practitioner and is also a trained wellness coach.

In this episode Victoria reflects on her journey through her PhD and into her career as a research scientist where she struggled to manage a chronic health condition that left her in pain on a daily basis.  She shares the changes she made that enabled her to improve her long term health and become pain free.

We focus on the Solstice and seasonal practices that can promote well-being and provide rest and revitalization.

Get ready for an episode that will ignite your journey!

You can connect to Victoria here: 

Email:victoria@thelivingherb.com

Web: www.naturalmenopausesolution.co.uk

https://calendly.com/naturalmenopausesolution

www.linkedin.com/victoria-wright-phd

www.facebook.com/thelivingherb

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

Sajni Haria is a research fellow scientist and entrepreneurial lead in a Chemistry research group at the University of Birmingham. She recently completed her PhD, where she designed and developed luminescent materials beneficial for targeted cancer therapy and enhanced diagnosis. Taking on multiple workstreams, with the added pressures of a PhD she found herself experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions throughout her PhD journey. In this episode we particularly focus on what she learnt about managing anxiety.

We talk about the importance of taking a break and how rest can help you to keep perspective.

We talk about finding well-being tools that support you - and Sajni shares some that she found particularly useful.  

Sajni shares her top tip for looking at your project “top down”.  

You can sign up for ‘Notes from the Life Raft’ a useful weekly email with info to support your PhD journey: https://mailchi.mp/f2dce91955c6/notes-from-the-life-raft

Professor Laurajane Smith completed her PhD part-time between 1990 and 1996 while working as a full time teaching and research academic at both Charles Sturt University and the University of New South Wales. She is currently Director of the Centre of Heritage and Museum Studies, Research School of Humanities and the Arts, the Australian National University. She is also a fellow of the Society for the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia. In 2010-12, she worked to establish the Association of Critical Heritage Studies; she is editor of the International Journal of Heritage Studies and is co-general editor with Dr Gönül Bozoğlu of Routledge’s Key Issues in Cultural Heritage. Her books include Uses of Heritage (2006) and Emotional Heritage (2021), and she has edited numerous collections most notably Intangible Heritage (2009) and Safeguarding Intangible Heritage (2019), both with Natsuko Akagawa, and Emotion, Affective Practices, and the Past in the Present (2018, with Margret Wetherell and Gary Campbell) and Heritage, Labour and the Working Class (2011, with Paul A. Shackel and Gary Campbell).

In this podcast episode, recorded at the South West and Wales Doctoral Training Partnership Summer Festival, we discuss the challenges of pursuing a PhD when there are differences in approach and perspectives between the student and the supervisor. 

Laurajane shares her personal journey into the PhD and the tensions she faced in the 1980s while exploring indigenous and archaeological relationships.

We explore the importance of engaging in critical debate, developing supportive peer networks, and believing in one's own research. 

We also reflect on the significance of self-reflection and being open to constructive criticism. 

Short Coda from Laurajane:

“In 1996 my PhD was finally turned into a book (after having 2 children in between times):  Smith, L. (2004). Archaeological theory and the politics of cultural heritage with Routledge. The text was well received and currently has over 770 citations…so yes, when I was being told and yelled at by senior male academics that I had it ‘wrong’ in the end it was because I did have something to say.”

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

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

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

This week’s guest is Dr Juliane Borchert, an experimental physicist, occasional poet, and gardening enthusiast! She studied in Berlin, Halle (Saale), Groningen, and Oxford. She was awarded a DPhil in Condensed Matter Physics from the University of Oxford and is now a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Cambridge and AMOLF institute in Amsterdam. Her research focuses on novel materials for use in solar cells and LEDs. She is active in several initiatives to make physics more inclusive and equitable, including 'TIGERS - The Inclusion Group for Equity in Research in STEMM‘.

Juliane shares her experience of moving to the UK to take up a PhD position at Oxford and the challenges of negotiating new university systems and cultural contexts.  

She also talks about the ups and downs of collaborative working within a research group - including the tricky issue of publication credits.

Juliane’s top tip is to draw on the expertise of others rather than looking to reinvent the wheel for yourself.

Juliane is on twitter @PV_Physicist

Sign up for ‘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

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

Allan Johnson is Associate Professor in English Literature & Associate Dean (Doctoral College), Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.  Alongside this work he is also a mindfulness teacher and co-facilitator of The PhD Circle with Emma Brodzinski.

In this episode Allan shares his own “fork in the road” experience that led hime into his research topic.

Allan highlights the different phases within the doctorate and why some moments might feel more difficult than others.

He discusses how Campbell’s model of the Hero(ine)’s journey might help with managing challenges and maintaining motivation on the transformative journey of undertaking a PhD.

He finishes with a top tip that Star Wars fans will love!

You can connect to Allan here:

www.allankilnerjohnson.com

https://www.instagram.com/allankilnerjohnson/

https://www.facebook.com/allankilnerjohnson

https://twitter.com/thisisallan

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

Lynn Koworera has a background in Adult Nursing BSc and Physician Associate MSc. She has a post registration qualification in advanced non medical prescribing and she has practical experience working in the NHS tertiary centres and large NHS trusts in specialities such as care of the elderly, dermatology and clinical research. Lynn has spent her most recent clinical career in general practice. 

In this interview Lynn talks about how the desire to do a PhD has been with her since childhood.   

Lynn describes how she discovered the professional doctorate (DProf) as a route that would enable her to continue working as well as conducting research into an area of clinical interest.

We discuss the importance of steering your own ship and remaining in control of the direction of your thesis.

We also explore the importance of practices such as time-blocking and journaling to support your PhD journey.

There is a great little video on time-blocking with google calendar here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TL9W57USXPg

Or, if you love a printable (and who doesn’t?!) then this is a great resource: https://heydonna.com/2015/12/time-blocking-101-plus-free-printable-worksheet/

Lynn talks about being part of the supportive community of PhD students on instagram.  You can find her at: @researchwithlynn 

You can find out more about her mentorship work here: https://researchwithlynn.co.uk/

You can find the PhD Life Raft on instagram too: @phdliferaft 

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. Jenny Mak is a writer and educator. Her work has been published in Entropy magazine, Read Me Anthology, and shortlisted in the 2012 InkTears Short Story Competition. Her PhD, from the University of Warwick, focused on embodied experiences of globalisation in contemporary world literature. She has taught English Literature and Creative Writing at LASALLE College of the Arts, Nanyang Technological University, and University of Warwick. 

In this episode we touch on a range of issues - from how PhD research can fuel creative work to learning to write within the PhD process - but we focus on how to manage perfectionist tendencies.

• We reflect on the urge to craft the perfect sentence/paragraph/chapter.

• We talk about why it is better to think in terms of milestones rather than deadlines.

• Jenny offers us her thoughts on how to break out of the perfectionism loop.

We finish with a top tip that centres on community.

You can contact Jenny here:

Website: www.jennywhmak.com

Twitter & Instagram: @jennywhmak 

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

Ires Ghelien is a health care psychologist from Holland who draws on her own experience as a PhD researcher to help others navigate the PhD journey.  In this episode we dive into her story of burnout and what she discovered through recovery about doing the PhD her own way!

Ires talks about the importance of mindset and of approaching things as an experiment.

She also shares some thoughts about how to communicate effectively with your supervisor.

Ires emphasizes the importance of looking after yourself and encourages you to see yourself as a pro-athlete!

You can find out more about Ires here: www.hulpbijwetenschappelijkonderzoek.nl

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

Charlotte Haines Lyon has a background in Youth and Community work.  She worked in a variety of youth and community settings and moved on to Adult Education including working with Age Concern.  She gained a Masters in Philosophy and Religion at Heythrop College (UCL) and a PhD at York St John University.  She worked as a freelance writer for a variety of charities and more recently has been developing Democratic Methodologies in Educational Research.  

In this episode we look to demystify the annual review process.

Charlotte shares her own difficult experience and what she learnt from it.

We explore the key difference between annual reviews and upgrade meetings that most PhD researchers don’t know.

Charlotte outlines the simple shift in perspective that can transform these high stakes moments from dread to opportunity.

She also shares the one thing that she always encourages her supervisees to do after intense review meetings.

For a transcript of this episode go to: thephdliferaft.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

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/

It’s the final episode of Season 3!  It’s gone so quickly and I am so grateful to the wonderful guests who have made it so awesome!

And, talking of awesome guests, who better to create a big finish for this series than Melanie Smith?!

Dr Melanie Smith is Reader Emerita at Cardiff University School of Law and Politics and an independent expert and research consultant in the broad field of European constitutional and administrative law, with a specific focus on enforcement of EU law across a broad policy spectrum. Melanie has provided expert advice as an independent consultant to the European Parliament (JURI, LIBE and IMCO Committees) over the last 10 years on a variety of topics from centralised Commission enforcement of EU law, to the desirability of the Administrative Procedures Act, the effectiveness of member state enforcement activities and recently on the future Digital Services Act. She is also founder of Academic Coach, which is a coaching service that offers courses and 1-1 coaching for PhD students and faculty, and workshops for Universities on all aspects of the writing process.

In this episode Melanie talks about her journey out of banking and into academia and then out of academia and into consultancy and coaching!  

Melanie describes how she worked with the European Commission and the European Parliament as part of her PhD research and how that contact developed into the role of expert advisor.

Melanie encourages PhD students to remember the value of your expertise outside of academia and the impact it can have in the ‘real world.

She also talks about her work as an academic coach and how important it is to receive good quality mentoring as part of your PhD journey.

Here are Melanie’s contact details:

Websites /Social Media: www.academiccoach.info www.drmelaniesmith.org

Twitter: @Drmelsmith & @AcademicCoach5

Facebook : @coachacademic

Keep in touch with all the info on special events at by signing up to ‘Notes from the Life Raft’ here

This week we are welcoming back the marvellous Allan Kilner-Johnson!  Allan is mindfulness meditation teacher alongside his work as a Senior Lecturer in English Literature and Associate Dean of Postgraduate Research at the University of Surrey.

Allan talks us through the importance of the process of review within his own academic life.  We talk about how academia can be very forward-focused and how a lot can be gained from taking stock of the previous work and experience.  Allan draws on Kolb’s experiential learning model to illustrate how review sits within a productive work cycle.

We talk about how it can be important to create moments of reflection for yourself within the PhD journey and how this time of year can be a particularly useful moment to look back at the past year in order to prepare yourself for the year ahead.

Allan and I are co-facilitating a review of the year for PhD researchers on 21st December.  This will be an online event supported by a bespoke workbook.  You can find out more here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/180825422707

You can connect to Allan here:

www.allankilnerjohnson.com

https://www.instagram.com/allankilnerjohnson/

https://www.facebook.com/allankilnerjohnson

https://twitter.com/thisisallan

Here are the links to the publications mentioned in the episode:

Daily Greatness Journal: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Daily-Greatness-Journal-Minimalist-Productive/dp/B08VBH5MLZ/ref=sr_1_3?crid=XDES0HRB3LSW&keywords=the+daily+greatness+journal&qid=1638796471&sprefix=the+daily+greatness+%2Caps%2C174&sr=8-3

Legend Planner: https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=legend+planner&ref=nb_sb_noss_2

6 Minute Journal: https://www.amazon.co.uk/6-Minute-Success-Journal-Motivation-Mindfulness/dp/B08HZBTK2Q/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=6%2Bminute%2Bjournal&qid=1638796535&sr=8-6&th=1

Goodbye 2021, Hello 2022: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Goodbye-2021-Hello-2022-Design/dp/1911682156/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1LKKKO8Y4VDH8&keywords=hello+2022&qid=1638796617&sprefix=hello+2022%2Caps%2C166&sr=8-3

Yulia Karpova is undertaking her second PhD!  Yes, for her, once though the journey just wasn’t enough!  In this week’s episode we talk about how things are different the second time around.

Yulia is currently studying at the University of Southern Denmark. She also holds a PhD in History (2015) from Central European University. From 2016-18, she held a Maria Sklodowska Curie postdoc at Aarhus University and, from 2021–2022 she was a postdoc in the project ‘Exhibiting across the Iron Curtain’ at the University of Copenhagen. 

In this episode we talk about the influence of Yulia’s mentors - including her Mother and her first PhD supervisor.

Yulia shares the story of her academic career so far and how looking for postdoctoral work led her to apply for a second doctorate.

She talks about the key things that she has learnt that she needs to put in place for successful PhD research.  

We finish with a top tip particularly relevant to those who are thinking about undertaking their PhD overseas.

You can find out more about Yulia’s work here: https://portal.findresearcher.sdu.dk/en/persons/yukar

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

This week I talk to Professor Vernon Trafford about what a PhD examiner is looking for in your thesis.

Vernon Trafford is Professor Emeritus at Anglia Ruskin University, UK and Research Associate at Stellenbosch University, South Africa. He has held visiting professorships in India, Scandinavia, Singapore, South Africa and consultancies for the British Council, OECD, UNICEF and the World Bank. His publications, conference presentations and workshops relate to the nature of doctorateness. 

In this conversation Vernon talks about his own unconventional route into academia.

We then dive into the issue of examiner expectations of a thesis.  Vernon outlines 4 different stances which your examiner might take - they may be attending to the philosophical underpinnings of the entire piece of work; they may be looking at evidence of scholarship; they may be seeing to identify post-doctoral capability as a supervisor or researcher; and/or they may be looking for  maturity of understanding by candidates of what they've done. 

We talk about the role of independent chairs within the Viva and why you shouldn’t listen to the viva horror stories!

Vernon outlines features that mean your thesis is more likely to pass and the importance of explaining what your research was about and what your “contribution to knowledge” is.

He also talks about the importance of smiling and if working towards making the viva as pleasurable activity as it can be.

You can find out more about Vernon’s work here: http://vernontrafford.com/

You can find his book Stepping Stones to Achieving Your Doctorate here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stepping-Stones-Achieving-your-Doctorate/dp/0335225438/ref=la_B0034PPLCA_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1365518855&sr=1-1

----------------------------------

Do you want to Detox Your PhD?  Find out more about The PhD Life Raft course here:  https://emmab.kartra.com/page/detoxyourphd

Welcome to Season Seven!!!

We will be back into the usual swing next week but we are starting out with a bit of a special edition on the theme of ‘new beginnings’ in conversation with my friend and colleague Allan Kilner-Johnson.

In this episode we talk about how to maximise the possibilities of a fresh start at the beginning of the academic year.

For those going into a new phase of their PhD study Allan offers some advice on how to rekindle the flame of your research.

For those at the beginning of their doctoral journey Allan highlights the importance of being a reflective thinker.

Finally Allan offers a model for a daily ritual to support your research process.

The books that Allan mentions are:

‘Mating in Captivity’ by Esther Perel and ‘The Artist’s Way’ by Julia Cameron.

If you would like to join us for the Plan-a-thon you can find out more here:

https://emmab.kartra.com/page/plan-a-thon

After her experience in graduate school Tonya Vetter set up The Dissertation Doctors to help others through.

In this episode Tonya outlines what she calls “pursuing your PhD from the inside” - thinking about what you care about and who you want to serve with the work.

We also talk about overcoming fear and shame within the doctorate and re-writing the story.

We finish with a top tip for motivating yourself to keep moving forward.

You can find out more about Tonya’s work here:  https://www.dissertationdr.us/

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

Hello and welcome to The PhD Life Raft Podcast!

Welcome to Season Five!! 

What better way to start than with ABBA?!

This week’s guest Shanika Ranasinghe is a fourth-year part-time ethnomusicology PhD student in the Department of Music – Royal Holloway, University of London.  Her thesis constitutes an ethnographic study of twenty-first century ABBA fandom.  

In this episode we discuss how ABBA’s recent reform led Shanika to re-think her PhD topic and how she managed that shift.

We also talk about the media interest that Shanika’s work has attracted - she has recently appeared on Swedish and British national TV, as well as UK, Australian, and New Zealand radio.   You can find The Conversation article that Shanika references in the interview here: https://theconversation.com/abba-who-actually-likes-them-167401 .  As we discuss, The Conversation can be a really useful platform for disseminating research material and often gets picked up by journalists.

Shanika shares top tips about maintaining your integrity as well as the importance of community.

Support The PhD Podcast on Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/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

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

Dr. Katy Peplin turned her difficulties in graduate school into a coaching business built around the idea that you can be a scholar and a human at the same time. 

In this episode Katy talks about the processes that she put in place to support herself and manage her anxiety on her PhD journey.

We discuss uncovering the unwritten codes of academia - particularly as a first generation postgrad.

We identify the challenges of negotiating being both a professional and a student in the department.

Katy posits the power in claiming the position of the ‘learner’ and shares some tips on developing your intellectual curiosity.

You can connect with Katy via her website: thrive-phd.com 

On socials at @ThrivePhD 

and email: hello@thrive-phd.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

This week’s guest is the fabulous Tara Brabazon.  Tara is the dean of graduate research and professor of cultural studies at Flinders University, Australia; a fellow of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures & Commerce; and director of the Popular Culture Collective. 

Tara has a fabulous YouTube channel with a wealth of advice for postgraduate researchers covering a whole range of topics (https://www.youtube.com/user/TaraBrabazon)

In this episode we talk about procrastination.  

Tara talks about her own experience of poor supervision as a graduate student and how she applied the lessons she learnt from that experience.

We talk about motivation and how to use time orientation and task orientation to break the PhD down into manageable chunks.

Tara identifies the links between procrastination and perfectionism and stresses the importance of taking action.

We finish with Tara’s challenge to try and get up an hour earlier and use that time for PhD work.  Let us know how that works for you!

You can find out more about Tara’s work here: https://brabazon.net/

You can sign up for 'Note for the Life Raft' - a weekly email with helpful info to support your PhD journey here: https://mailchi.mp/f2dce91955c6/notes-from-the-life-raft

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! 

This week we are talking to Lisa Munro who specialises in helping academic writers through writing retreats, workshops, coaching, and editing. 

Lisa talks about her journey into and through her PhD.  She also discusses how this led to her current work and business.

We discuss how to avoid the shame and fear that writing can bring up and to look to cultivate joyful writing practices instead.

Lisa talks about the power of writing with others and about her ‘shut up and write’ sessions.  She also reflects on the importance of celebrating achievements.

Lisa’s top tip is to see writing as a practice rather than an event and suggests strategies fo development.

You can find out more about Lisa’s work here:

website: lisamunro.net (under construction for a month or so more for a relaunch)

Twitter: twitter.com/llmunro

Sign up for ‘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

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

Dr Nicole Holt is a Lecturer in Public Health and Wellbeing for the School of Allied and Public Health Professions within the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Social Care at Canterbury Christ Church University.  She is currently involved in several research projects around spirituality and wellbeing.

In this episode we discuss Nicole’s experience of her PhD which explored the reported relationship between Spirituality and Public Health in those who identify as Spiritual but not Religious.

Nicole talks about her experience as a first generation HE student and the challenges of finding her place within the academy.

She reflects on the general challenges of working while studying and the particular challenges of having 5 different supervisors.

She details the support she received from her dyslexia tutor and the importance of that continuity.

We also touch on the difficult experience of her viva and what happens when things don’t go as planned.

You can contact Nicole here: https://www.canterbury.ac.uk/medicine-health-and-social-care/allied-health-professions-public-health/staff/Profile.aspx?staff=974f76455d9e505c

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

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.

Denise Venturi is Ph.D. Candidate in International Law at the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium.  Her research focuses on the concept of vulnerability with reference to LGBTIQ+ asylum-seekers and refugees. At present, she is a Fellow at the Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology (Halle-Saale, Germany). She has worked for UNHCR in various protection roles, with a focus on refugee status determination, capacity building, and law and policy analysis. She has been Asylum Liaison Officer with the UNHCR Liaison Office to the EU Asylum Agency and focal point on claims based on sexual orientation and gender identity with UNHCR Italy. With UNHCR, she has also worked on protection monitoring and reporting, as well as on advocacy and strategic litigation. 

In this episode we discuss the challenges that Denise has faced in engaging with her PhD while working full-time.

She shares how her professional work led her into her PhD study and how the process of the PhD has served to develop her career.

Denise outlines the difficulty of juggling full-time work with the UN and her PhD studies, leading to challenges in productivity.  She talks about her experience of overwhelm and her decision to take some time out of the PhD in order to focus on her job and then taking a sabbatical from work to focus on her PhD!

Denise’s top tip for others is around finding both practical and emotional support.

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

In this episode Gordon shares his reflections on his PhD experience - particularly the times when he wanted to give up!

Gordon discusses the challenges of balancing full-time work and the PhD.

He shares the strategies that he used to stay motivated and managing time - in particular the pomodoro method.

We explore how to deal with doubts, overwhelm and exhaustion and the importance of the right kind of support.

Gordon also offers some insights from his own experience of the viva and gives some valuable top tips.

You can find out more about the pomodoro technique here: https://thephdliferaft.com/the-pomodoro-technique-and-phd-research/

You can find out more about Nathan Ryder and Viva Survivor here: http://viva-survivors.com/about/

  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 Kaisa Pankakoski is a writer, researcher, translator, and multilingualism consultant. For her PhD at Cardiff University she looked at multilingual families’ language ideologies, strategies, and experiences in Finland and Wales. During the course of her PhD, she gained grants from eleven different funding bodies in her two home countries to complete the thesis.

In this episode Kaisa reflects on the turning point when she decided to return to academia and focus on researching multilingual families.  She discusses her research journey over eight years and the range of activities she took part in over that time.  

In the discussion of caregiving alongside the PhD Kaisa emphasizes the emotional and mental toll of special needs parenting, including the constant worry and caregiving responsibilities. She  emphasizes the importance of taking breaks, avoiding overworking, and prioritizing self-care.  Kaisa mentions the value of attending retreats to create a space for relaxation and creativity.

Kaisa offers some top tips and a range of resources including:  

Blog posts

Self-care during PhD https://blogs.cardiff.ac.uk/doctoral-academy-blog/10-self-care-tips-for-the-phd/ 

Writing retreat https://blogs.cardiff.ac.uk/doctoral-academy-blog/should-you-go-on-a-writing-retreat/?preview=true 

Words of wisdom, two blog posts, altogether 40 top tips! https://blogs.cardiff.ac.uk/doctoral-academy-blog/words-of-wisdom-for-new-postgraduate-researchers-part-one-2/ 

https://blogs.cardiff.ac.uk/doctoral-academy-blog/words-of-wisdom-for-new-postgraduate-research-students-part-two/ 

Facebook groups: 

Bridging the Gap Community Group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/410364763121879 

PhD and Early Career Researcher Parents 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/776957585681408 

Apps:

Forest App: https://www.forestapp.cc/

We also mention the Rowena Murray podcast episode:  https://thephdliferaft.libsyn.com/rowena-murray

You can contact Kaisa here: 

https://twitter.com/kaisapan

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaisapankakoski/

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

It’s the final episode of the season!!  

This episode focuses on Robert Romanyshyn’s book The Wounded Researcher: Research with Soul in Mind.  This text looks at the subconscious processes at play in the research  process - from how research is a vocation to dreams as a route to revelation.  It opens up an alternative approach to the PhD journey and offers a range of strategies for engaging with research material.

Robert Romanyshyn was the first non-analyst elected as an Affiliate Member of The Inter-Regional Society of Jungian Analysts based upon his scholarly contributions to Jungian psychology. A Fellow of the Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture, he co-founded in 1972 an interdisciplinary program in existential-phenomenological psychology and literature at the University of Dallas. In 1991 he moved to Pacifica Graduate Institute to create an interdisciplinary doctoral program in clinical psychology with an emphasis on depth psychology.

In this episode we explore how the PhD researcher is chosen by their topic.

Robert explains the idea of ‘unfinished business’ within the research.

We also talk about how doing a PhD is like falling in love!

Some further reading Robert suggests is:

Bachelard, G  Poetics of Reverie, London: Beacon Press, 1992

Goodchild, V Eros and Chaos, New York: Hays, 2004.

Romanyshyn, R The Wounded Researcher: Making a Place for Unconscious Factors in the Research Process (2010), The Humanistic Psychologist, 38 (4), 275-304. 

You can connect with Robert via his website: RobertRomanyshyn.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

Welcome to Season Eight of The PhD Life Raft Podcast!!

We are kicking off with a fabulous interview that gives a wonderful overview of the PhD journey.

Steven Segal is a psychologist and academic who also practices as a philosophical counsellor.  His PhD was in the philosophy of Education and his work as Associate Dean of Higher Degrees Research, as well as his own supervision of doctoral candidates, led him to develop a framework of understanding around the transition from novice to expert through the PhD.

In this episode Steven reflects on how doctoral training often focuses on the technical aspects of the PhD rather than attending to the experiential dimension to research which is a key aspect of the process.

Steven shares his own experience of feeling lost during his PhD and the wise words that his supervisor shared with him that continued to support him.

Steven reflects on the “existential risk” of becoming a researcher and the potential impact of the resulting anxiety.  He offers thoughts on how to manage that experience and remain open to opportunity.

We talk about the development process of the PhD and finish with the importance of tuning in to your intuition.

You can find out more about Steven’s work here: https://www.drstevensegal.com.au

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

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

This week’s guest is Alison Miller AKA The Dissertation Coach.  Alison created ‘The Academic Writers’ Space’ to provide structure and support doctoral students and academics and then, in 2000, she developed this work through The Dissertation Coach which provides programmes and specialist coaching for researchers.  

In this episode Alison talks about her own experience of imposter syndrome during her doctoral studies and how she developed structures to support her own mental well-being.

Alison talks about her ‘project management’ approach to the PhD and how she built an infrastructure for engaged and meaningful productivity.

We talk about the importance of both internal and external tracking as a means to keep yourself on-course.   

We also reflect on how clarity can be the antidote to procrastination.  

Alison introduces what she terms “environmental alignment” as a means to set yourself up for success.

We finish with the invitation to work with the version of you that showed up to work!

You can find out more about Alison’s work here:  https://www.thedissertationcoach.com/

You can find Alison’s book ‘Finish Your Dissertation Once and for All!  How to Overcome Psychological Barriers, Get Results and Move on with Your Life here: https://amzn.to/3nFmfx8

Sign up for ‘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

Catherine Pope was awarded her PhD in the field of Victorian Literature  by the University of Sussex in 2014. She then went on to publish that material as a monograph.  

In this episode Catherine draws on her experience as an author, publisher and coach to share advice on  the options for publishing your work- either as a book, a chapter in an edited collection or journal articles.

Catherine emphasizes the importance of gaining clarity on why you want to publish as well as being realistic about whether you have the time to undertake such a project.

She shares insights into what publishers are looking for and the elements of a successful book proposal. 

We also talk about the technical aspects of book publication - from editing to indexing.

You can find out more about Catherine’s book How to Publish Your PhD - which shares very practical and detailed advice to guide you through the publishing process - here: https://phdprogress.com/

If you would like to know more about Catherine’s story and benefit from her wisdom on how to look after yourself on a bad PhD day you can listen to her previous PhD Life Raft Podcast interview here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/managing-self-care-on-the-phd-journey-with-catherine-pope/id1537420258?i=1000548140262

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

A very important element of your PhD journey is your relationship with your supervisor.  

In this episode I talk to Dr Chris Megson, Reader in Drama and Theatre and Director of Postgraduate Research Education, in the School of Performing and Digital Arts at Royal Holloway, University of London.  Chris has supervised many doctoral students and been awarded the inaugural Researcher Supervisor of the Year prize at Royal Holloway as well as being shortlisted for the national Times Higher Award (2018) in this very competitive category.  

Chris begins by talking about his own experience of the PhD and the challenges of combining study with full-time work.  

Throughout the interview Chris stresses the importance of good communication between the student and supervisor.  If you are finding communication a challenge this resource might help you: 

https://www.phdstudies.com/article/How-to-Develop-a-Good-Relationship-with-your-PhD-Supervisor/

Chris talks about how he finds working with doctoral students one of the most rewarding aspects of being an academic.  He gives the reminder that your PhD application was accepted because it looked interesting and exciting and the supervisor(s) wanted to work on the project with you!  

He says supervision “it's not a kind of cross that we have to bear or a burden on our backs. It's one of the main reasons we're in the job”.

Chris discusses the importance of having a collaborative mindset not only when developing the professional partnership with your supervisor where, for example, you need to establish timelines that accommodate the demands on both parties.  But also of collaborating with peers and other academic colleagues as you enter into the community of the academy.

The interview finishes with a reminder to avoid “ostrich syndrome” - keep your head out of the sand and keep in dialogue with your supervisory team.

You can contact Chris chris.megson@rhul.ac.uk or find him on Twitter @chris_megson

As an extra, here is a link to a playful piece but you might want to take a look and consider what sort of relationship do you have with your supervisor: https://theconversation.com/ten-types-of-phd-supervisor-relationships-which-is-yours-52967

Did you find this episode useful?  Let us know at phdliferaft@yahoo.com

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

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

Precarity is, unfortunately, a familiar experience for many PhD students - particularly in the strange times that we find ourselves in.  This week’s episode touches on both the precarity brought about by the pandemic but also the on-going precarious nature of employment within the Higher Education sector.

Bee talks about their own experience of the PhD process and the importance of assembling a team that support the work you are doing. 

We explore researching during the pandemic and the challenges of undertaking a viva via MS Teams!  

We also discuss Bee’s frustration with the precarity of working as a sessional lecturer which led them to their work with the union.  

Bee outlines some of UCU’s current campaigns and how the union can support you if you are working within HE.

Here are links to further information:

UCU membership FAQs: https://www.ucu.org.uk/article/10509/Future-of-the-profession-free-membership-FAQs

UCU pages on casualisation, including links to employment law commentary and campaigning resources: https://www.ucu.org.uk/socc_memberinfo

UCU Report Second Class Academic Citizens: The dehumanising effects of casualisation in higher education (Megoran & Mason, 2020) https://www.ucu.org.uk/media/10681/second_class_academic_citizens/pdf/secondclassacademiccitizens

UCU Guidance on requesting permanent contract: https://www.ucu.org.uk/article/3567/Fixed-term-regulations-requesting-confirmation-of-permanence

UCU Anti-Casualisation mailing list sign up (for members only): https://www.ucu.org.uk/article/5364/Login?ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ucu.org.uk%2Felists

PGRs as staff, not studets: https://fundthefuture.org.uk/event/pgrs-as-staff-not-students/

#CoronaContract: https://coronacontract.org/

UCU Solidarity Movement: https://www.ucusolidaritymovement.org/

Pandemic PGRs Report: https://www.ucu.org.uk/article/11396/Falling-Short-report-Pandemic-PGRs?list=7268

Here are Bee’s contact details:

Website: www.beehughes.co.uk

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BeeHughes_

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beehughes_art/  

And here is the link to the association for Art History that we mention in the episode: https://forarthistory.org.uk/

You can sign up to Note from the Life Raft a weeklyish email with lots of information to inspire and support you on your PhD journey - just click here: https://mailchi.mp/f2dce91955c6/notes-from-the-life-raft

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/

We are kicking off the new season with the fabulous Devon Price!

Devon is a social psychologist, writer, activist, and professor at Loyola University of Chicago's School of Continuing and Professional Studies. Devon has published widely including their book Laziness Does Not Exist which came out in 2020.

In this episode we reflect on Devon’s own experiences of graduate school and how the reality of that experience did not match expectations.

We then dive into what Devon calls “the laziness lie” - and how that relates to a culture of workaholism.

Devon unpacks the social construction of what is considered ‘productive’ and we consider how that relates to the experiences of PhD researchers and the problems it can cause.

We then explore some strategies for pushing back and how to orientate yourself in a way that minimises burnout.

You can find Devon’s book here: https://amzn.to/3umiq1X

You can connect with Devon on Twitter: https://twitter.com/drdevonprice

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

Anne Wilson is an award-winning scriptwriter, journalist and careers counsellor. After doing an MSc and a PhD in social psychology at the LSE, and publishing a book on children’s identity, she became a freelance journalist, writing for publications such as Just Seventeen, Cosmopolitan, the New York Times, Good Housekeeping and the Guardian. Anne moved on to writing for screen media and has won numerous awards for her films in the corporate sector. She has also published two crime novels, featuring Sara Kingsley, a single-mother detective — Truth or Dare and Governing Body — both published by the Women’s Press.

Anne is committed to teaching and mentoring and in 2010 she started offering private careers counselling to new graduates as well as advising university applicants on their personal statements. She became a Royal Literary Fellow and, most recently, has been supporting students at Brunel University.

In this episode we tackle the mystique surrounding academic writing - what it actually is and why academics are vague about what 'good' looks like in their discipline.

Anne explains how writing is dynamic and how it changes from the starting out phase to writing up; and why your literature is not a fixed entity that won't change.

We also discuss the challenges of academic writing for neurodivergent scholars.

In closing, Anne offers a wealth of top tips including how to find your academic voice and how to ask for the feedback that you need.

Connect with Anne:

@anigone.bsky.social

https://rlfconsultants.com/consultants/anne-wilson 

https://www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/three-ways-refresh-your-academic-writing

https://www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/using-literature-reviews-strengthen-research-tips-phds-and-supervisors

  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

Amy Bonsall has completed her PhD at Leeds University. Her thesis was recognised as demonstrating exemplary research in the field of practice-led research in intercultural Shakespeare theatre performance. She is also the associate artistic director of Bilimankhwe arts and continues to direct professional, commercial theatre productions. Amy founded the Women in Academia Support Network #WIASN a group of 10,000 women academics from around the world.

In this episode Amy shares the challenges that she faced during her PhD journey from caring for small children to physical ill health.

She reflects on her feelings of overwhelm and her struggles with writer’s block.

Amy discusses her decision to take a six-month break from her PhD and how she managed her time.

Support from her ‘team’ was central to Amy’s successful completion and she talks about the organisation Women in Academia Support Network (WIASN) which she co-founded.

You can find out more about WIASN here: https://www.wiasn.org/

You can connect with Amy on Twitter/X - @AmyBonsallPhD

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

Laura Revilla is a PhD candidate in Heritage Studies at Brandenburg University of Technology (BTU) in Cottbus, Germany. Her research focuses on understanding diverse forms of heritage and security in Mexican communities through bottom-up practices and decolonial thinking. Through her journey, she aims to discover the uses and relevance of heritage in our everyday lives. 

In this episode Laura shares her PhD journey and how it has been shaped by her cat Chobi.

Laura explains how Chobi has been both an emotional support and a source of motivation.  She describes how Toby's presence and routines influenced her lifestyle, including taking breaks and napping when necessary.

 Laura gives a top tip for the PhD from a cat lover and encourages other researchers to maintain a curious and learning mindset throughout their journey. 

Here is the link to Chobi’s instagram account where you can find a dose of humor and academic insights from a feline perspective.

https://www.instagram.com/the_phdcat/

Here is the link to the episode with Devon Price that we mention in the episode: https://thephdliferaft.libsyn.com/2021/09

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

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

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/

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

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