PhD Graduation Day: a moment to savour
It was hot, sunny day and after being fitted with my graduation robes there was time for a few photos before the last call to be seated.
Category: My PhD
The 5-year post-PhD research plan
Yesterday I received confirmation that the final version of my PhD thesis, amended in accordance with the Joint Examiners Report (issued after my viva in April) has been approved.
Surviving the Viva
In my last post I shared my elation at having finally submitted my PhD thesis; now I have another reason to be euphoric: I passed the viva voce!
PhD thesis completed at last: what next?
After three years and three months of the most intense, mentally gruelling and challenging study, I have finally finished writing my PhD thesis. Hurrah!
Winning the James Thomas Memorial Prize – media & politics
The icing on the cake was winning the James Thomas Memorial Prize for the Best Paper…
New study proves the value of a PhD
A new study that examines the employability and value of doctoral graduates in comparison with masters and first degree graduates reveals that those with a doctorate have higher earnings and have fared better during the recession.
Planning your career for life after the PhD
Teaching and research posts are scarce these days thanks to the drastic changes to HE funding, widespread job cuts, increased tuition fees and the trend towards marketization of the sector, leading to fierce competition in the job market.
PhD Project: the internal evaluation
If you get through the internal assessment which takes place 12-15 months after initial registration onto a doctoral programme, then 12-15 months after that, or 24-26 months into your PhD, you will have to undergo an internal evaluation.
Cautionary advice to new PhD students: prepare to work your socks off!
Over the years I have always questioned why I seemed destined to work hard throughout my life, whatever occupation I happened to be in. In the end I have always attributed being a hard worker to the fact that I was born on a Saturday, since: “Saturday’s child works hard for a living.”
Is a PhD life-changing?
About a year ago a very good friend of mine who has since finished writing up his PhD thesis, excitedly told me one day how life-changing the process of undertaking a PhD was proving to be for him.
PhD project: ethical approval
During the early stages of your PhD research project you will need to think about gaining ethical approval which is required before you can begin the actual research.
PhD project: the interim assessment
The viva is widely recognised as the final stage in a doctoral study where candidates are required to defend their research. But doctoral students are assessed much earlier in a similar fashion through the interim assessment.