Tag Archives: PhD

Thinking about the Pipeline

A PhD should comprise both education and training. It should not be slave labour or done in blindness about where it might be leading. But I fear these statements don’t always apply. In the research grouping in which I sit … Continue reading

Posted in Careers, Science Funding | Tagged , | 35 Comments

The Viva Experience

I’ve seen a few posts around recently from anxious PhD students approaching their vivas in fear and trepidation or discussing the experience in the immediate aftermath. For instance, here is @hapsci discussing things after the event in a state of … Continue reading

Posted in Research | Tagged , , | 10 Comments

So You Don’t Know What You Want To Do Next?

You are not alone! I suspect that most PhD students are uncertain, and if they think they know, it is probably because they assume, without necessarily considering the question at any length, that they will just continue on the academic … Continue reading

Posted in Careers | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

To Begin at the Beginning

It seems obvious: any piece of writing should have a beginning, a middle and an end. But how often have I heard the lack of structure moaned about by those folk who have to read some prose, in particular supervisors … Continue reading

Posted in Communicating Science, Research | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments

On Being Inefficient

Academia is a great place for being judged on outputs, and I’m not just referring to the kind of output relevant to the REF. But, be it papers written, worked examples provided, grants submitted or students tutored, we are expected … Continue reading

Posted in Research, Science Culture | Tagged , , | 8 Comments