This had a rather amusing ending. It seems that Bobby exposed you a little there Jenny.

I did read it. If you really didn't want to include race in this issue you could have asked "What influenced you to do a PhD? What's your background and what problems have you faced?". That way you could have got a balanced view of issues facing all PhD students. As it is, you instantly set yourself apart by asking only black students to reply and then went on to whinge about racism. It seems that you're looking to irritate people; well at least with me it's working.

About the glass ceiling, you're talking crap.

Oh I see Jenny, being all knowing it may not have occurred to you that I may be an 'ethnic minority', whatever that is. I guess I'm not the only ignorant one. I went to an excellent university for my ug degree and an even better one for my PhD. At NO POINT have I ever felt any racism in these spheres. My shortcomings at any point were due to me, not the hundreds of racists which seem to have apparently infested universities. I just don't understand your angle. you went to school, did well enough to go to uni. Went to uni and did well enough to do a PhD. Are doing a Phd and then...... At what point did racism hold you back. If you try to argue that it made everything harder it doesn't follow. Everyone has issues in all parts of life, no matter what colour, life is about dealing with them.

I see Goods, racism is an issue in academia, but the white powers that be decided to make you the exception I suppose? Grow up. People like you who make statements like that about racism being something in your workplace that you have to deal with and its just the way it is are the problem. What a ridiculous statement. Maybe you should try helping yourself instead of just blaming others. Any racism or suchlike is illegal. Moreover, it is carried out by vast minorities. Hence, when you come across it inform the correct authorities/police. To claim that racism is innate in academia is a sweeping and outrageous statement characteristic of someone much like a racist. Think a little harder before you speak next time.

I like that one.

You guys are all quite whiney. Why do yu get so annoyed? Why do you expect people to understand? I'm sure you'd all be the first ones to say that a PhD isn't something that just anyone can do and that it requires a mixture of intelligence, determination and interest. Why should people have a clue what your talking about? If that truely is the case most people won't understand.

Calm down, have a biscuit.

Nothing more exciting than because seaguls are associated with the seaside which is where Brighton is situated. Other words which could have been substituted could be 'crappy', 'the team with no stadium,' 'budget'. None of these words passed the initial board meeting when the club was being created so they chose the lesser of 2 evils, i.e. the bird that everyone hates.

Reeperbahn, Reeperbahnm, Reeperbahn. Nothing else needs be said!

Hi German bloke. I'm from Brighton originally and I must say that you made an excellent choise of place to study. I must disagree witht he argument about not much good seafood. You must not be looking very hard. Wher abouts in Germany are you from. I've spent a litlle time there and love it. Hamburg is fantastic.

Is there a duty free section at the airport at Cranfield?

rude not to be one really..

I've been really lucky with regards to my PhD. I started on the trail looking for places in September and have applied for LOADS. I've had interview offers from about 15 places of which I've turned a few down. I didn't really have a place in mind so I took my Tutor's advice: "Don't worry about where you apply, if it sounds ok do it. If you don't like it after a visit, no loss, if you do, you've given yourself the option". I had an offer from 4 differnt places but, because of the money side, chose one in Cambridge. Very lucky!

I must say that I've never been to Manchester but everyone that I have spoken to who has says it's good for a night out. It's great that you like the place you're at, I'm completing my undergraduate degree at Imperial in London. The university, for all its sins, is excellent for science but I didn't really fancy staying on even though I was lucky enough to get an offer for a PhD in quite a good area here as I felt that I should have a little look about and see what else was on offer, did you have a look at other places?

Just out of interest, where abouts is everyone who writes on this board? What universities are you at I mean. I only ask as from what everyone writes I swear you are all at the same university as me, or maybe all universities are run the same way. Also, a lot of people say that they have a dream university/project they are applying to/got into etc. Where are these places and why are they your favourite?

This all makes me feel quite lucky, my referees are diamonds!

You love it, I love it so let's cut the crap!!!