the phd experience conference, university of hull, tuesday 8 th february, 2011
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Reflections on being a ‘balanced (PhD) researcher’ Andrew Kythreotis Centre for Adaptive Science & Sustainability, University of Hull. The PhD Experience Conference, University of Hull, Tuesday 8 th February, 2011. Contents. What is a balanced (PhD) researcher? - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
PhD Experience Conference, University of Hull, 8 th February, 2011 1
Reflections on being a ‘balanced (PhD) researcher’
Andrew Kythreotis
Centre for Adaptive Science & Sustainability, University of
HullThe PhD Experience Conference, University of Hull, Tuesday 8th
February, 2011
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Contents
1. What is a balanced (PhD) researcher?
2. Defining your PhD journey (self-empowerment)
3. Networking - Development
- Being prepared
- At the event
4. Time management
5. Conclusion
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1. What is a balanced researcher?
A ‘pandemic virus’ (Paglieri, 2011) is amongst all of us researchers…
We are all procrastinators!
http://structuredprocrastination.com/ (Perry, 2011)
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1. What is a balanced researcher?
• Going from this…
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1. What is a balanced researcher?
• To this...
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1. What is a balanced researcher?
• Culminating in this!
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1. What is a balanced researcher?
• Not this...
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1. What is a balanced researcher?
• Or this...
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1. What is a balanced researcher?
• It’s certainly not this...
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2. Defining your PhD journey
• Each PhD is different – highly subjective, personal process
• Self-empowerment is key. Ask yourself...
What is the easiest way to achieve my overall goal?
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2. Defining your PhD journey
• Be realistic about your research
• Ask yourself... Why am I doing this particular task?
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2. Defining your PhD journey
• Be pragmatic:
“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are”
(Theodore ‘Teddy’ Roosevelt, 26th US President 1858-1919)
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2. Defining your PhD journey
• Don’t let your supervisor mould you too much – but benefit from their experience and knowledge (they have a stake in your success!)
• You develop your research, they advise, suggest and guide!
• Contentious issues during my PhD:
- Publish during ‘v’ publishing after PhD
- Taking PGTS diploma
• What do you think?
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2. Defining your PhD journey
• Always keep a pen and paper handy!
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2. Defining your PhD journey
• Write, write, write, and when in doubt...
Write some more!
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3. Networking
• Networking and research are not mutually exclusive
• Finding your networks in everything you do
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3. Networking - development
• Hold a conference
• Get your research out there:
- outside conferences -generic and subject specific
- Consider journal articles (with your supervisor first!)
• Cold call and emails
• Keep in touch with your contacts, just to say hi so you are in the forefront of their mind
• Name drop
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3. Networking – being prepared
• Ask focused and informed questions
• Be polite and courteous when networking
• Networking is not a one way street!
• Honest flattery – agreement and disagreement (academic debate!)
• Informal meeting – coffee
• Always carry a business card
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3. Networking – at the event
• At conferences and workshops take summary of your research and any published work
• Try to have conversations with guest speakers
• Networks are not just academic – importance of support staff/facilities – technical support
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4. Time Management
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4. Time Management
• Plan ahead and never commit yourself to everyone and everything. You usually have 4 years to submit!
• Ask yourself...
1.Do it now?
2.Decide when
3.Defer?
4.Dump it!
• Don’t feel guilty for taking a break once in while!
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5. Conclusion
• Please enjoy your PhD research!
• Once in a lifetime experience
• Teaches you essential transferrable skills
Time management
Networking
Self-empowerment
Self-reflection
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THANK YOU!• ReferencesCartoon Stock. At:http://www.CartoonStock.com
Paglieri, F (2011) Confessions of a Procrastinator. Nature, 469, p.435. At:
http://www.nature.com/naturejobs/2011/110120/full/nj7330-435a.html
Perry, J (2011) Structured procrastination . At:http://structuredprocrastination.com/
Piled Higher and Deeper. At:http://www.phdcomics.com/
My Email: [email protected]