How to PhD- the essential guide for all University students!

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 importance of media engagement for academics, especially with the increasing emphasis on reach and societal impact. From understanding what makes a compelling press release to crafting one that catches a journalist’s eye, we break down the essentials. We’ll share why press releases are your gateway to media attention, how to structure them effectively, and the key phrases that make your findings stand out—all while avoiding overblown claims. And once the media bites? We’ve got you covered. Whether it’s a live interview, radio spot, or a TV appearance, we’ll walk you through how to prepare, handle questions, and keep your nerves in check. Tune in for actionable advice that ensures you’re ready to shine when your research meets the spotlight.

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 with simple tools to structuring your thesis in a way that flows naturally. Finally, we share advice on embracing storytelling to enhance your research’s impact, making it memorable and meaningful. Tune in to discover how to transform your PhD journey into a narrative that resonates!

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 criticism, and maintaining professionalism in responses. Additionally, Arun and Julia stress the importance of seeking feedback from trusted sources who have their best interests at heart, equipping listeners with valuable strategies for transforming criticism into a tool for personal and professional growth.

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 both on-campus and off-campus opportunities. Within the university, they recommend exploring traditional routes such as teaching assistantships, offering lectures or seminars, and even research assistant roles. They also highlight the potential to earn extra income through exam marking, lab demonstrations, and invigilation work. Beyond the campus, Arun and Julia discuss part-time employment, freelancing options like proofreading and tutoring, and joining recognized panel services as a field expert. They stress the importance of considering the impact of these income-generating activities on one's CV and future career goals, as well as being diligent about payment methods and time commitments. The episode offers a comprehensive guide for graduate students seeking ways to make extra money during their PhD studies. Arun and Julia's advice spans opportunities within and outside the university, with a strong emphasis on balancing these activities with academic responsibilities and career aspirations. As always, please do leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify! Thank you for listening!!

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 communication. Arun and Julia emphasize the importance of concise communication, getting to know your supervisor's preferences, and seeking opportunities to impress. They also stress the need to set boundaries to maintain a healthy work-life balance. If you're navigating intimidating supervisors in your academic journey, this episode offers valuable insights to help you thrive. Share it with others who might benefit and consider supporting "How to PhD."

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!