How a strong network can enhance the PhD journeyConnections and collaborations can help PhD students (and their supervisors) cut through the isolation of research. Here’s how to leverage those links into employabilityMeghan Casey , Andrew Barton , Madhu Chetty , Rose Ferguson Federation University Australia , Australian Catholic University
Five ways to connect PhD students with industryDeveloping industry experience is often the last thing on the minds of the PhD community, but nurturing partnerships between academia and industry can enrich the journey, believes Maria-Christina VogkliMaria-Christina VogkliThe London School of Economics and Political Science
Practical tips for graduate students undertaking a doctoral dissertationProducing a doctoral dissertation can be an intimidating process, writes Bill Huckle. Here, he shares practical strategies for graduate students taking on the work to share their original contribution to knowledge with the wider communityWilliam R. HuckleVirginia Tech
Strategies for writing a PhD dissertation: write before you’re ‘ready’Reading isn’t writing, and knowing about your topic isn’t writing. So, what should graduate students do to get started and make steady progress? Monique Dufour suggests practising well before it’s time to write the thesis or dissertationMonique DufourVirginia Tech
Get a head start in the first year of your PhDEven a marathon begins with first steps, and so it makes sense to master motivation, set healthy habits and get writing early to reap the reward of a polished dissertation at the end of the PhD journey, writes Andreï KostrykaAndreï V. KostyrkaUniversity of Luxembourg
Buddy system: creating community through writingIs a writing group or partner an effective antidote to post-pandemic isolation during doctoral education? Lena Steveker and Laura Spadon explain how to put a forum for belonging in placeLena Steveker, Laura SpadonUniversity of Luxembourg
How to structure your PhD thesisOrganising your PhD thesis in a logical order is one of the crucial stages of your writing process. Here is a list of the individual components to includeShama Prasada KabekkoduManipal Academy of Higher Education
‘Augmenting’ the doctoral thesis in preparation for a vivaThe viva voce exam is the final hurdle for PhD students, but for most it is also a new and fear-inducing experience. Edward Mills offers one framework to help those preparing to discuss their completed thesis at lengthEdward Mills University of Exeter
How to write a PhD thesis: a step-by-step guide A draft isn’t a perfect, finished product; it is your opportunity to start getting words down on paper, writes Kelly Louise PreeceKelly Louise PreeceUniversity of Exeter
How to develop a researcher mindset as a PhD studentEntering the postgraduate sphere is a whole new ball game. Shaif Uddin Ahammed shows how to hone a PhD mindsetShaif Uddin AhammedUniversity of the West of Scotland
How to tackle the PhD dissertationFinding time to write can be a challenge for graduate students who often juggle multiple roles and responsibilities. Mabel Ho provides some tips to make the process less dauntingMabel HoDalhousie University
Publication-based doctorate: is it for me?Potential research higher degree candidates from academia or industry will need to decide between a doctorate by thesis or by publication. Here are key questions to ask before embarking on the doctoral journeyRiad ShamsNorthumbria University
We set up a thought leadership programme to amplify PhD researchDalhousie's OpenThink programme shows how universities can empower the next generation of thought leaders and facilitate public engagement Lynne M. Robinson Dalhousie University
How to foster PhD excellenceHow can PhD supervisors help early career researchers blossom? Support them with finding funding opportunities, understand each doctoral candidate’s motivations and reach out to your own network, suggests Julia HörnleJulia HörnleQueen Mary University of London
Research supervisor or tour guide?Reflecting on her own PhD journey as a supervisor and student, Ruth Northway offers her key signposts and mapping techniques to help candidates reach their destinationsRuth NorthwayUniversity of South Wales
Five ways to support PhD students’ well-beingDoctoral researchers are often absent from university discussions around well-being support, writes Jenny Mercer. Here, she argues that their situation requires bespoke attention and sets out ways this might be achievedJenny Mercer Cardiff Metropolitan University
Advice for supervising a PhD by published worksThe route to a PhD by published works requires a different approach to supervision. Here, Alison Brettle provides aspects to consider based on her experience conducting, supervising and developing institutional guidanceAlison BrettleUniversity of Salford
Celebrating failure and other advice for PhD supervisorsPhD researchers should be given space to work independently, share their results and test their own limits with the support of supervisors who see them as people first and scientists second, explains Hannah ClokeHannah ClokeUniversity of Reading
Why get a PhD by publication (and other career tips)Finding the ‘golden thread’ in your academic path can offer an opportunity to reflect and grow, writes James DerounianJames DerounianUniversity of Bolton
Lots of talk about diversity in corporations, but what about universities?Why real progress won’t be made unless universities solve three persistent issues: access to networks, unconscious bias and insider culture, writes Blane RuschakBlane RuschakThe PhD Project
How can PhD researchers be supported to complete an alternative format thesis?How universities can best support PhD researchers who wish to produce alternative format theses, based on a review of institutional policiesCaitlin RobinsonUniversity of Bristol
The confidence trick: impostor syndrome and PhDs in the non-academic worldResearchers have a great deal to offer the world beyond academia. But, as John Miles writes, knowing where and when to deploy these skills is crucialJohn MilesInkpath
Bridging the gap: how to enhance PhD programmes for non-academic careersAs more PhD students express interest in non-academic career paths, it’s essential to evaluate the relevance of traditional PhD programmes for alternative opportunitiesDennis Relojo-HowellThe University of Edinburgh
Individual consultations can help PhD students to complete their studies Personalised consultancy gives assistance to PhD students and candidates to keep their momentum and build their academic careers, and it also helps instructors identify and train future supervisorsSzabolcs Várbíró , Judit Réka Hetthéssy, Marianna TörökSemmelweis University
Top tips for choosing a PhD SupervisorÖzge Özden lays out the pros and cons you need to consider when choosing a supervisor, as well as five key qualities to look out forÖzge Özden Near East University
How to change research cultures to support the well-being of PhD students From providing mental health champions to simply having honest conversations about expectations and pressure, there’s much that can be done to help studentsImelda Bates Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Universities Policy Engagement Network (UPEN)
What I have learned on the journey towards commercialising my PhDEngineering biologist Maggie Hicks shares what she has learned on her journey towards commercialising her PhD, with business partner and fellow PhD student Florentina WinkelmannMaggie HicksThe University of Edinburgh
Why getting a PhD is like building a Lego duckBen Marder provides a fun exercise that can impart important wisdom to help lessen PhD students’ anxiety over their progressBen MarderThe University of Edinburgh
Tips for new PhD supervisors: how to hold effective meetingsSupervisory meetings should be planned, regular and positive in tone. Here are key elements to include in thesis supervision meetings for academics new to the roleAlice Ling JiangMacau University of Science and Technology
Ten platinum rules for PhD supervisorsIs it time to add PhD supervision to your skill set? Tara Brabazon explains the pitfalls, challenges and rewards of this key academic role for the rookie mentorTara BrabazonFlinders University
How to turn a PhD project into a commercial ventureTransforming a doctoral research project into a commercially viable product requires astute decision-making from the start. Manjinder Kainth and Nicola Wilkin share a beginner’s guideManjinder Kainth, Nicola Wilkin Graide, University of Birmingham
How humanities and social sciences PhD programmes can adapt to a challenging job landscapePostgraduate studies in humanities and social sciences help graduates build skills that are applicable across multiple sectors and career paths. Ray Haberski Jr explains how to shape relevant and adaptable PhD programmes in these disciplinesRaymond Haberski JrIndiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)
Tips for writing a PhD dissertation: FAQs answeredFrom how to choose a topic to writing the abstract and managing work-life balance through the years it takes to complete a doctorate, here we collect expert advice to get you through the PhD writing processCampus teamCampus
Thinking about quitting your PhD? Maybe that’s the right decisionSometimes not completing a PhD is the rational choice, and having open conversations around it helps stop people feeling isolated and uncertain, says Katherine FirthKatherine Firth La Trobe University
Using literature reviews to strengthen research: tips for PhDs and supervisorsAnne Wilson explains how to develop a narrative and context for new research through your literature review, with tips for early career researchers and their supervisorsAnne WilsonRoyal Literary Fund
We must rethink PhDs to smash barriers and ensure bioscience successRedesigning PhD training will help develop commercially savvy researchers, address skills gaps in UK bioscience and bolster innovation, say Simon Cook and Derek JonesSimon Cook, Derek JonesBabraham Institute, Babraham Research Campus
Transitioning to a PhD: common struggles and how to overcome themCamille Bou outlines the key struggles she encountered during the first year of her PhD and shares useful insight on how she overcame themCamille BouThe London School of Economics and Political Science
Fostering freedom in PhD students: how supervisors can shape accessible paths for doctoral researchClive Palmer looks at alternative approaches to PhDs that open postgraduate research to more candidates – for professional development, career change or just love of learningClive PalmerUniversity of Central Lancashire
Research supervision: working with the individual in front of youLorraine Hope explains how to mitigate student anxiety and avoid toxic competition with a person-centred approach to supervisionLorraine HopeThe University of Portsmouth