Many have told me that research is not a linear process…a very understated sentence in my experience! For me, it has been very different to undergraduate and even master’s experiences. Although you will be drawing on others’ research from similar fields, you will be working to create something very unique. Many of us lead on…

One thing I was excited about when starting my PhD was all the opportunities to write, read, research and present. I love getting stuck into new things but equally find it a challenge to see smaller tasks and projects through to the finish line on a short-term basis. However, as time as progressed, I have…

When it comes to ways of working on a PhD, many online and computer-based study tools are thrown our way for various reasons. This could be for productivity, project management and personal accountability, or organising your writing to name a few! However, for some people these may inhibit creativity as well as emphasise personal shame…

My PhD experience so far has not been a smooth one, like a lot of PhD students! Particularly in terms of my nervous system, so I have been trying to learn techniques to help regulate, to understand, and even use the way my nervous system works to my advantage. Our nervous systems can be crucial…

Whether you may have just started your PhD or have been studying for a while, there will be many unexpected things you are having to get used to. No matter how far you are into your PhD, challenges are likely to come up more frequently than you might expect. Such challenges can leave us feeling…

Conferences and other events throughout your time as a PhD student can be very exciting and bring lots of new opportunities. You might get to visit another region or country, make lifelong colleagues and friends, get some expert feedback on your work, or maybe even score your dream job opportunity. You are hopefully also going…

Attending events as part of your research is a great way to start getting feedback on your work, but equally opens you up to critique and perhaps some painful comments. Naturally this will happen, and this does not always mean you are doing something the ‘wrong’ way, but it can make your body feel like…

The first year of your PhD. Everything is very new and can be a lot to take in. One of the main things that is commonly experienced at PGR level is imposter syndrome. I really struggled at school. I didn’t get a full set of As or A*s (as the grading system was then). It…

There are so many things as a first year PhD student that I wish I had been aware of before I had started. I have known lots of people who have done PhDs from many backgrounds and life experiences. I had multiple conversations with others about doing one and had fortunately been encouraged to pursue…