This PhD Life is an academic conference like no other! It’s aimed at PGRs and ECRs (Postgraduate Researchers and Early – Career Researchers) and tells newbies everything our experienced researchers wish they had known at the start of their PhD journey.

What programme did you use? How do you keep track of readings? Conferences – what are these? These are the types of things that are talked about in this PhD Life.

This PhD Life 2022 did not disappoint! Here’s a run-down, what I’m taking away and bringing forward.

Our Keynote

Our keynote was Professor Alison Phipps (we couldn’t quite believe we managed to book her either!). If you don’t already know our amazing Professor Phipps, you can read about her here. Alison’s keynote on “Lumpy Crossings: The Art of Finding the Wells” was amazing and can be watched here.

There was so much to pick out but some highlights for me were:

Plan B

Everyday we implement plan B – one example is when we can’t work in the office and have to stay home or pop in/out of campus accordingly. Don’t be scared of your second choice, you use it all the time! You may not feel resilient or adaptable but you are since you make these adjustments every day and have been for a long time.

The Cold Vomit Stage of the PhD:

The part of your PhD when you hit a wall, cannot find the light and are not actually sure that you want to continue anymore.

You are not alone! As Alison explained, this is amazingly common but there is a way forward. Speaking to your supervisor is key as they have helped many a student through something similar. Don't give up, there are ways and means out there and you will find one.

Stuck With Writing? You need to be tough with yourself. Write 1,000 words a day for four days a week – no more and no less. In two weeks’ time, you’ll find yourself with a draft chapter. Remember, accountability is your friend. If this is something you struggle with, remember to join us for Writefest this month.

Our Presenters

Our first panel had huge shoes to fill following on from our amazing keynote. Every single presenter was fantastic, here’s who they are and their presentation title:

• Having The Right Mindset From Day 1 - Jessica Ireland-Hughes

• Getting Through the Things You Don't Want To Do - And Why They Might Be Good For You! Kirsten Somerville

• Doing a PhD as an International Student - Mariana Pintado Zurita

Our second panel was equally fantastic – we are so lucky to have such wonderful PGRs at the University of Glasgow. Here’s our second panel:

• Organisation and Time Management During Your PhD - Adam Gordon

• Informal peer review group: supporting your PhD - Jingwen Zhou and Qian Jiang

• The Challenges of Research - Josie Fullerton

Again, our third panel was super – and here is a list of our superstars:

• Autistic in Academia: Advice I Wish I had at the Start of my PhD - Aimee Fletcher

• Field Work R&D - Using Research Funding in Year 1 to Scope Methods and Ethical Considerations for your PhD - Rosemary James-Beith

• The Challenges of Doing Research in a Multilingual Context (Perspectives from the Global South) - Imene Zoulikha Kassous

Finally, our fourth panel of the day was equally special, here’s a rundown:

• ·The Benefits of Creating Social Connections - Tanvir Alim

• Academic jobs during the PhD: What, Where and Why? - Héloïse Guichardaz

• Expectations of a PhD Student and a Healthy Work Life Balance - Ryan Field

• How to tackle your first ever Academic Conference - Zein Al Maha Oweis

You can watch all of our wonderful presenters here – there’s a whole lot of practical advice that you’ll definitely need throughout your PhD.

My Own Takeaways

As a second-year researcher, I’m not the target audience for this conference but there is so much I wish I’d known. I’ve noted the things that really resonated with me.

• One that Jessica reminded us is that we are more than our PhD – make sure you have hobbies and outlets, you’re more than your PhD! Thank you, Jessica.

• Take your annual leave and regular breaks: you’ll perform better.

• Make sure you use the Res Dev courses wisely – don’t just take random ones that fit in with your schedule! They’re very good and will help you a lot.

• Use a sunlight lamp, if you have one – these are great to conquer the Scottish weather. Marianna mentions international students but we all needed this advice.

• Dr Jennifer Boyle also reminded us that notetaking is writing. I always feel so disheartened with Writefest and retreats as I never feel like I’m writing but I actually am. Taking notes is connecting dots, ideas and pulling out your thoughts – note-taking is writing.

• Inbox zero – file all emails (my inbox is chaos, do as I say and not as I do!)

• Our own PGR intern Adam Gordon gave us the advice we all needed to hear: “Functional is good. Efficient is a bonus. Perfect doesn’t exist. Take the advice you need and leave the rest”.

These were my highlights but we had some amazing talks and I think every single attendee had a different highlight moment, what’s yours?

Moving Forward

This Phd Life 2022 was a huge success. I’m moving to make it to inbox zero and putting on my sunlight lamp at 3pm every day! I’m also late in scheduling my training courses so if you are too – get onto that!

Remember, if you’re doing our PGR gardening or walks then you’re already doing amazing things for you brain and body. Keep these things up, use the practical things you need and leave the rest. Doing a PhD is amazing and you’re doing amazing, too!

Rachel Eager is a second year PhD Candidate in Comparative Literature and is the Communications Intern 22/23.