How to PhD - your academic survival guide
This is How to PhD, the show dedicated to sharing those key, practical skills for PhD success. Perhaps you've just decided to embark on a PhD, or maybe you're a seasoned doctoral veteran about to face your viva. Whatever stage you're at, the PhD can be a huge challenge. But it can also be one of the most rewarding things you'll ever do and there are a few things we learned along the way that can help you. Join myself, Dr Arun Ulahannan and my co-host, Dr Julia Gauly, as we share everything we wish we had known before starting our PhDs!
Episodes
How to get your PhD work into the media!
Ever wondered how groundbreaking research grabs headlines? If you think it’s all about luck or fame, think again! This episode dives into the strategic side of getting your PhD research out of academic journals and into the wider world. With practical insights and tips, we’ll guide you through the process of working with the media to amplify your work’s impact.
First, we discuss the growing import
What is IMPACT and why it's essential for your future career!
In this episode, we dive into the concept of impact in research—what it is, why it’s crucial, and how you can plan for it even at the PhD stage. We explore how impact goes beyond simple dissemination or public engagement, aiming for real change in society, the economy, culture, policy, health, and beyond. Our conversation covers practical ways to identify beneficiaries and stakeholders, the signif
How to craft your PhD's story
In this episode, we explore why a strong narrative is the backbone of a successful PhD. It’s not just about compiling studies or chapters; it’s about weaving them into a story that’s engaging and easy to follow. We discuss how to build a compelling pitch that answers essential questions and captivates your audience.
You’ll also hear tips for refining your PhD story, from visualising your work wi
A little teaser for Season 3...
Get ready for the best season yet! Season 3 is almost here, and we’re taking your PhD journey to new heights. From building a standout PhD narrative to navigating tricky co-worker dynamics, this season is packed with insights that will help you create impactful research and get the recognition you deserve. Stay tuned for expert tips on balancing work and study, mastering the art of media attention
S2E9 | Handle criticism like a PRO with our guide!
This week, hosts Arun and Julia share personal experiences and practical guidance on handling criticism effectively. They emphasize the universality of criticism and the need to recognize its emotional impact, advising listeners to step away and regain perspective when it stings. The episode provides insights on embracing feedback by considering the reviewer's perspective, depersonalizing criticis
S2E8 | What they don’t tell you about plagiarism!
In Season 2 Episode 8, hosts Arun and Julia discuss the critical issue of plagiarism, shedding light on its various forms and offering valuable tips on how to avoid it. They emphasize that plagiarism involves taking someone else's work or ideas and presenting them as one's own. Arun and Julia caution against the serious consequences of plagiarism, citing examples of individuals who have faced acad
S2E7 | Smart ways to make extra cash during your studies!
In the latest episode of "How to PhD," hosts Arun and Julia discuss practical strategies for graduate students to supplement their income during their doctoral studies. As the cost of living continues to rise, finding additional sources of cash becomes crucial. Arun and Julia, who were fortunate to have fully funded positions during their own doctorates, share their insights and suggestions for bo
S2E6 | Our best writing motivation and productivity hacks!
Welcome back to "How to PhD," Season 2, Episode 6! In this episode, Arun and Julia are your guides on a journey to boost and maintain your writing motivation. Writing is at the core of every PhD, but staying motivated can often feel like an uphill battle. Arun and Julia share their own experiences and dive deep into valuable insights and strategies to reignite your passion for writing.
Discover ho
S2E5 | Master the art of influence and tame intimidating academics!
In Season 2, Episode 5 of "How to PhD," hosts Arun and Julia address the daunting issue of dealing with intimidating supervisors during your PhD. They dive into why supervisors can be intimidating and provide actionable strategies to manage these relationships effectively.
Their advice includes depersonalizing the situation, understanding your supervisor's perspective, and maintaining open communi
S2E4 | Beat procrastination with our science-backed guide!
We're back! This week we're delving into the world of procrastination. But importantly, we talk about techniques that actually address the root-cause of procrastination!
Join us as we give you the tools you need to kick the habit and make the most of your time
S2E3 | The secrets of journal publishing!
We've talked a lot about publishing in journals, but this week, we're diving in deep and going into all of the little secrets of journal publications. Learn all metrics, authorship and even maximising your citations!
S2E2 | Choosing the perfect journal keywords!
Keywords are often an afterthought, but actually can be incredibly useful in ensuring your work gets the biggest reach possible. This episode, we don our SEO keyword optimisation hats and share some smart little tricks to choose the best keywords for your journal paper!
S2E1 | Quick and easy productivity boosters!
We're back!
Maintaining productivity and being consistent is one of the cornerstones of a successful PhD. This week, we share some simple changes you can make if you feel you’re not making the most of your time. It’s not about working harder, but more focussed!
A quick show update- don’t worry, we’re still here!
A very brief update on the show and when we'll return! Thank you to the entire How to PhD community for continuing to listen to the show! It means so much to us and we can't wait to come back!
S1E39 | A structured method to finding your research gap!
Often we think of knowledge gaps as the key thing to aim for in a PhD, but actually there are many more types of gaps that can be just as powerful and useful! Tune in to learn about the many types of research gaps and a very simple tool to help you identify which ones you'd like to pursue!
S1E38 | How to balance your time writing journals vs your thesis!
Balancing spending time on journal papers vs writing your thesis chapters is a tricky one. This week, we have everything you need to know on how to find that balance between the two and what you need to prioritise during your PhD!
S1E37 | How to avoid the 3 most common email mistakes!
Never get replies to emails? Find that your supervisors don't actually answer your questions? A lot of these problems can be traced back to how you write your emails.
This week, we're going to be talking about some super simple things you can start doing straight away to optimise your email writing and hopefully get much more responses!
S1E36 | Why you need to engage with the public for your PhD- and how!
Public involvement and engagement are two really powerful techniques to help justify your work. Think about times you couldn't find the literature to justify what you're doing... or if you feel you're not sure what your work is going to do for the world... these techniques can help solve those!
Tune in to find out exactly why you should run them and how!
S1E35 | More important lessons from the highs and lows of our PhDs! (Part 2)
We're back again, this time with Julia's PhD story. It's different in many ways and so many things to takeaway from the experience- tune in to find out!
S1E34 | Important lessons you can take away from the highs and (many) lows of our PhD journeys! (Part 1)
This week we're going into each year of our PhD journeys to show you the reality of what a PhD is. Often, all we see is that final success from people on Twitter, but actually, most PhD candidates face the same problems and challenges. We'll be talking in depth about all the challenges Arun faced AND crucially, how to overcome them!
S1E33 | Essential tips on being a successful researcher with Prof. Sebastian Kernbach! (Part 2)
We're back with part 2. In this second half of our collaborative episode with Prof. Sebastian Kernbach, we talk about identify the things in your life that give you energy, how to achieve a resilient mindset, managing perfectionism and how to utilise positive psychology! It's a packed episode- we hope you enjoy it!
S1E32 | Essential tips on being a successful researcher with Prof. Sebastian Kernbach! (Part 1)
Here's part 1 of our first ever collaborative episode! We're so happy to welcome Prof. Sebastian Kernbach to our show! Sebastian is an expert in life design, resilience, design thinking, visual thinking, and positive psychology.
In this episode we dive into the concepts of successful intelligence and energy competence to help you be a productive and creative researcher!
Part 2 will be out on Wedn
S1E31 | Four common problems with supervisor meetings-and how to overcome them!
So often supervisor relations can go awry, but this is usually down to some simple things that are being missed. Often, a lot of these issues stem from the meetings themselves. We took a look around twitter, social media and listened to our own One-to-One students to list down the most common errors made, and everything you need to know about overcoming them!
S1E30 | Five common PhD mistakes, and how to avoid them!
Is it better late than never? Apologies for missing a week, but we're back! This week, we dive into some of the most common mistakes we've seen in PhDs and provide you with the essential tips to avoid these pitfalls!
S1E29 | How to choose the examiners for your viva or defense!
It's perhaps one of the last things you want to be thinking about when you're in the run up to your PhD submission, but it's good to give this some thought. Thankfully, our tips will have to ready for that process so you can rest easy knowing you have one less thing to think about in the final run up to submission!
S1E28 | Essential tips for creating your CV or Resume- that you can start today!
We'll be honest, the CV or Resume was the last thing we were worried about when we were doing our PhDs. But doing some very simple, practical things can set you up very nicely for when you need to create that document. In this episode, we've got some really important tips for that document, and it's never too early to start working on these!!
S1E27 | How to enjoy a guilt-free Christmas!
Lockdowns and quarantine rules meant we had to slightly adjust our recording schedule- but we're back (albeit with a slightly makeshift studio!). A special episode to round off the year dedicated to helping you relax and unwind this holiday season. We're back on the 17th January!
So all that's left to say is if you celebrate Christmas- then Merry Christmas!! Otherwise, have a wonderful holiday
S1E26 | How to network and grow your researcher profile!
We're not huge fans of the word 'networking', but it is an important thing to learn during your PhD. But you don't have to be the loudest voice or super extroverted to network! No, all you need is to put yourself and your work out there for people to see, and there are many ways to do this.
Here's a guide to all things networking and building your research profile- from your two, relatively intro
S1E25 | Things you need to know about being a supervisor!
"Being a supervisor?? Wait, but aren't I the one being supervised?" Yes! But don't pass up any opportunities to engage with supervising other Bachelor/Masters students during your PhD! There's so much value in being able to apply what you know from your own PhD experience in teaching and guiding the next generation!
In this episode, we'll cover all of the essentials to do with how to be a supervis
S1E24 | Things you need to know for your Research Proposals!
Research proposals can be extremely daunting and it's easy to get lost in the process. Fortunately, we've been there before and we've got an episode packed with practical guidance on writing your own research proposals- both for a future PhD and for those that come after!
S1E23 | How to overcome the biggest PhD challenges!
PhDs are difficult things! But don’t confuse difficulty with progress. Just because you might be facing challenges does not mean you’re not doing well- quite the opposite in fact! In this episode, we talk about the 5 key challenges we faced in our PhDs and how we went about dealing with them.
S1E22 | Poster design- not just for conferences!
Posters are often only thought of in a conference context, but actually they can be so useful at all stages of your PhD. They put you in the right mindset for thinking about your work in a concise and effective way and are a brilliant thing to create before say, a viva or presentation.
This week, we'll give you all the details on how to create a poster, from the first key questions to ask yours
S1E21 | Systematic Reviews: Why and How explained!
Have you ever felt lost conducting a literature review? How do you know you've covered enough of the literature? That's exactly what systematic reviews aim to solve by giving you a super structured process to follow.
In this episode, we're diving it why you might want to consider systematic reviews and crucially- how do you actually do one! It's time consuming, but it's not too confusing once you
S1E20 | How to peer review!
This is one of the big things in the academic world, but unfortunately there's very little guidance on what exactly it is and how you can get involved. In this episode, we'll take you through everything you need to know about peer review and why it's something that can be very helpful for you!
S1E19 | Why interview studies matter and how to do them (Part 2)
We're back after our break and we're wrapping up our two-part episode on interview studies. This time we're tackling the practical things you need to consider when actually running your interview studies.
A quick update on the show
Hello everyone, a warm welcome to all of our new listeners and of course all of you who have been with us since the early days.
It’s been a long time since we spoke! Firstly, we want to apologise to all of you listening here for not updating you all on what’s happening with the show. We had sent a message out on Twitter and Instagram, but of course, not all of you have access to or use those plat
S1E18 | Why interview studies matter and how you can do them (Part 1)
Interview studies can give you a huge amount of valuable data- if done correctly! In this first part of a two-part episode, Arun & Julia give you all the details on why you might want to consider doing an interview study and how you go about preparing to do one! In part 2 next week, we'll talk about how you actually run the study and how to go about analysing your data!
S1E17 | How to tell good research from bad research!
It’s so important, not only for your PhD, but for life in general to be able to distinguish good research from bad research. Doing so will allow you to ensure you reference and talk about papers of a good quality. We’re going to give you 3 essential tips to help you in being a regular Sherlock Holmes of the good research world!
S1E16 | How to read academic papers!
Pro tip! Don't just read papers like a book! Reading papers is more of an art form than you think. If you know what to look for, you can save yourself a lot of time and focus on just the bits most relevant to you. In this episode, we're going to give you the full rundown of exactly how to do this, as well as some useful tools to make the whole job easier!
S1E15 | How to do conferences!
COVID has changed conferences for now, but the tips in this episode are still valid! We remember our first conferences were pretty daunting experiences. There's a lot of new terminology you might not of heard before and you might feel overwhelmed at the number of different sessions in a short space of time. Don't worry! This episode has got you covered. We're going to take you through the conferen
S1E14 | How to NOT fail your PhD!
This is the worst case scenario right? The thing no PhD candidate ever wants to think about, but might end up worrying about it every day! This episode is here to put an end to that kind of thinking. We're going to give you the SIX KEY THINGS you need to demonstrate to not fail your PhD... and you'll see that actually, you're almost definitely hitting all the requirements to NOT fail! This episode
S1E13 | How to balance your work, life & PhD!
This can be so hard during your PhD. But in this episode, we’ll take you through things you can do to try and organise your life and make time for all the important aspects of your life. We’ll discuss how to prioritise your jobs and roles, how to take your leave and how to work from home- it’s a big one!!
S1E12 | When and how to apply for post-PhD jobs!
Does this sound like a long long way off? In this week's episode, we're going to be showing you why it's never too early to start thinking about life after the PhD. There are things you can do right now, that are going to really help you and take the stress off when it comes to the final months. We'll also give you a rundown of the practical things you need to know when it comes to searching for a
S1E11 | Finding and writing your Research Question!
This can be incredibly daunting- especially if your work is novel and there isn't a whole lot of literature out there. We talk about how you can find your research question using different, 'novel' sources and exactly how you can write your own great research question!
S1E10 | How to deal with journal corrections and rejections
Corrections and rejections from journals can be extremely demotivating and can be a major stressor for many PhD candidates. Don't worry, this week we're going to show you why this shouldn't be the case and exactly how you should go about responding to all of the many types of responses you could get.
S1E9 | How to write and submit journal papers
It’s a process that’s we’re still learning something new about every time. But with these tips, we’ll give you five essential and practical tips to submit your paper in its best possible form, to its ideal journal!
S1E8 | How to apply for ethical approval!
Ethics... you might see a lot of people worry about this, or at least complain about it! But actually the process is really important to the research process. Understanding why we do it and what actually is in an ethics application can be really powerful- and this week we'll give you the complete practical rundown on how you can apply for ethics. By the end of this episode, you'll have no worries
S1E7 | How to navigate the viva day! (part 2)
We share some essential tips for managing the actual viva itself, including some useful examples from our own viva experience!
S1E6 | How to prepare for the viva! (part 1)
We'll show you why the viva, or defence, is something you don't need to fear! Using our tips, you can be ready and prepped- both mentally and practically!
MHAW Special 5- The art of goal setting
It’s our fifth and final episode of our Mental Health Awareness Week 2021 series! It’s great to be ambitious, but setting unrealistic expectations of yourself in your head can lead to disappointment and imposter syndrome. Let’s set better goals using a technique we’ve used so many times over!
MHAW Special 4- How to rethink PhD myths
The fourth of our Mental Health Awareness Week 2021 series! “You have to work weekends!”, “There’s no time for anything else!”. Heard this before? We’re here to rethink those myths and show how you can in fact live a balanced, healthy life with time for yourself and your wellbeing.
MHAW Special 3- Manage anxiety with 'Big Picture'
The third of our Mental Health Awareness Week 2021 series! It can be scary to face up to our deepest sources of PhD anxiety, but using this technique, we found you can come to terms with them and actually learn to grow from these anxieties!
MHAW Special 2- Self-appreciation using role listing!
The second of our Mental Health Awareness Week 2021 series! Do you know what an incredible person you are? You’re more than a student! We fulfil many more roles in life that we often don’t give ourselves any credit for. Tune in to learn a little technique to love yourself more!
MHAW Special 1- Managing Imposter Syndrome
The first of our Mental Health Awareness Week 2021 series! Do you ever feel like you’re not qualified to do your doctoral studies? That others are ahead of you? You’re not alone, but luckily there’s some things we learned to do that can help you manage it
S1E5 | How to find, fund and apply for a PhD
Thinking about applying for a PhD, but still on the fence? Or a bit confused about where you can find funding? Do you feel you might not have enough research experience? We'll answer all this and more in this special edition of How to PhD. We'll cover how you can find positions, how you can fund them and of course, how to apply for them. Some useful tricks in this episode for those considering a P
S1E4 | How to Start your Thesis
Getting around to actually starting your thesis can be pretty daunting. Bringing together 3-4 years of work is no mean feat. In this episode, we’ll guide you from that blank document, to writing its content and making the design sing!
S1E3 | How to Present!
Ah presenting… just saying the word can make some people quiver with nerves. But don’t fear, by the end of this episode, you’ll be counting the days until the next time you can present!
In the third episode of How to PhD, Arun & Julia discuss what makes an effective presentation and exactly how you can go about achieving it. We’ll d
S1E2 | How to work with your Supervisors
Your supervisor is arguably one of the most important people in the whole process, so it’s worth knowing how to get that relationship right!
In the second episode of How to PhD, Arun & Julia discuss the three essential tips to help you setup a health working relationship with your supervisor. This includes some practical tools you can
S1E1| How to Start!
Those first days and months of the PhD can be unsettling, but it doesn’t have to be!
In this first episode of How to PhD, Arun & Julia discuss the five essential skills and things you need to get off on the right foot. We also touch on some important tips for your health and wellbeing. In fact, doesn’t really matter if you’re 1 day in or 2 years in, this first episode is packed with crucial t
Let us tell you How to PhD!
Myself, Arun Ulahannan and my co-host Julia Gauly are here to share little nuggets of PhD wisdom. Having been through the process ourselves, we realised that actually there's a whole bunch of stuff that nobody really tells you, but you're left to sort of work out on your own.
Visit howtophd.show to find out more and hit subscribe to be notified when the first episode drops! See you soon!
