Category Archives: PhD

Starting a part-time doctorate? Three top tips

Posted on September 14, 2020 by pat thomson

This is a guest post by Dr @jonrainford. Jon works on the margins between academic and professional services. He is currently a freelance researcher and part-time lecturer, working with academics to develop their use of digital pedagogy.  Doing a doctorate later … Continue reading →

Posted in 'mature' doctoral researcher, later on PhD, part time PhD, PhD | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

the ‘later on’ PhD

Posted on August 10, 2020 by pat thomson

It not unusual to think about the PhD as a seamless pathway from undergraduate to Grad School with maybe a Masters in between. But not all PhDers do go straight through. Many work, often for quite a long time, before they … Continue reading →

Posted in academic writing, later on PhD, mature age PhD, part time PhD | Tagged , , , , | 17 Comments

five suggestions for universal PhD ‘after-care’

Posted on May 25, 2020 by pat thomson

One of the things that has become  obvious during lockdown is how much more we might do for PhDers contemplating their futures. If ever there was a time to start something better and more supportive for researchers in our care, … Continue reading →

Posted in academic mentoring, academic writing, after-care, library, mentoring, PhD, PhD completion, postdoc, research mentoring | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

PhD – plan B

Posted on November 4, 2019 by pat thomson

Before I came into higher education I had a brief stint as a civil service strategic planner. I got pretty interested in the process of scenario planning – that’s where you develop a narrative about something that could happen in … Continue reading →

Posted in academic writing, completion, PhD, Plan B, scenario planning, starting the PhD | Tagged , | 8 Comments

grow your own writing practice

Posted on September 23, 2019 by pat thomson

You often hear writing described as a skill. And a skill is the capacity to do something well, to use expertise built up through practice. Skills are often seen as merely technical, but a skill requires specialist knowledge and often … Continue reading →

Posted in artisan, connoisseur, PhD, practice, reading, routine, starting the PhD | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

20 reading journal prompts

Posted on September 2, 2019 by pat thomson

You’ve decided to keep a reading journal. You have a lovely new notebook. But now you’re just staring at the page. You don’t know how to start. Perhaps you’re wondering how writing in a reading journal might be different to … Continue reading →

Posted in academic writing, journaling, reading journal, writing prompts, writing regularly | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

publishing from the phd – make a publication plan

Posted on May 21, 2018 by pat thomson

There are two ways to approach publishing from your PhD. One is to write the first thing that interests you. Or the recent thing that you presented at a conference. Or write the thing that someone very important has invited … Continue reading →

Posted in academic writing, PhD, publication plan, publishing, thesis to papers | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

PhD stuck points

Posted on February 19, 2018 by pat thomson

There are some points in the PhD process where the going gets pretty tough. Stuck points, where it’s hard work. Where it’s difficult to move on. Now don’t get me wrong. These points don’t cause grief to everyone. I’m not … Continue reading →

Posted in academic writing, data analysis, PhD, research design, research question, structure, stuck points, style and structure, thesis | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

the viva and the supervisor

Posted on December 18, 2017 by pat thomson

Last week I reached thirty two. Thirty two doctoral researchers who successfully defended their research. Thirty two Doctors let loose on the world. And two things are now on my mind. Not thirty two. Just two. The first thing I’m … Continue reading →

Posted in academic writing, PhD, phd defence, supervision, supervisor, viva | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

finding your people online – PhD and ECR parents

Posted on June 15, 2017 by pat thomson

This guest post is written by Chantel Carr and Leah Williams Veazey. Chantel is a PhD candidate in the School of Geography and Sustainable Communities at the University of Wollongong. Her research explores industrial work, postcapitalist economies and sustainability. Leah is a PhD candidate … Continue reading →

Posted in Facebook, PhD, PhD parent, social media, support | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments