Author Archives: katiebaker88

Sometimes, over the course of your research, it is easy to feel a million miles away from being an ‘expert’ in your field. The word itself carries a glaring weight of expectation. It seems to belong to ‘other people’, the ones who must surely know everything there is to know. With so much new informationContinue reading “The A-Z of research: E is for expert”

Though this tip might sound quite abstract to say the least, determination really will help you through those tricky times during your research. Even the best of us experience periods when we doubt our own ability, and even wonder if we’re doing the right thing. Try to remember that this whole thing takes time, andContinue reading “The A-Z of research: D is for determination”

Whatever stage you are at with your research it’s likely that attending, or even planning a conference will be on the agenda. Today’s stop on the A-Z journey comes courtesy of two past posts in which I offer help and advice if you are planning to attend or organise a conference.

I’m pretty sure what I’m about to say is extremely obvious, but research tends to come with a lot of books. The key is knowing which are likely to be the most useful for your personal project, and it’s this part of the proceedings that can be a bit of a skill. Of course, it’sContinue reading “The A-Z of research: B is for books”

In this blog we start a new series, ‘The A-Z of research’. As you can probably guess from the title, each week we we will work our way through a letter of the alphabet (or as many of them as possible), tackling a different aspect of research. Let’s start at the very beginning (as theContinue reading “The A-Z of research: A is for activity”

I realise that the title of this blog makes the viva sound like an insurmountable challenge. Something that needs to taken down and ‘tackled’. I promise you this is not the case. I know because I have first-hand experience. I’ve sat in the hot-seat and I’ve defended my thesis until I could defend no more,Continue reading “The PhD Files: Tackling the viva”

Today’s post is something slightly different. While, usually, I offer some tips for those of you in the midst of a PhD, or we delve into a fabulous book in the Nineteenth-Century Book Club, today I have something I need to get off my chest. I promise not to get too negative or whiny, butContinue reading “Being self-employed – a couple of thoughts”

Today, I’m going to provide some tips for when it comes to putting pen to paper (or hands to keyboard), and writing up your research! Getting started can seem daunting, but it needn’t be. Read on for some handy hints to help you begin… Start small – Though your entire thesis is likely to beContinue reading “The PhD Files: Writing Tips”

If you are currently in the midst of your PhD research, there’s a good chance you will be offered the opportunity to do some teaching. While the thought of turning from student to tutor may send shivers down your spine, fear not! Read on for some handy tips to help calm your nerves, and evenContinue reading “The PhD Files: Teaching”

In a previous post, we explored the different options available to you if you are thinking about attending a conference. Today, we’re sticking with the conference theme, but this time let’s take a look at what happens when you decide to plan your very own… It may sound obvious, but the first thing you shouldContinue reading “The PhD Files: Conference Planning”