I guess it also depends what is your understanding of what constitutes a relationship-if the only model you take into account is the heterosexual marriage,that could be pretty limiting.As a lesbian(and a Christian,incidentally,but that's another story),I see sexuality as an integral part of a relationship,and one of its major building blocks.Yes, after a couple of years the desire definitely diminishes,no doubt,but cutting out such an important sphere and expecting it will magically click on during wedding night?

What I have found helpful is that most social sciences databases (sagepub,taylor and francis,ebsco etc.) when you look up a journal article,have the option "export to citation manager"(not always phrased like this,but usually it will be somewhere on the page).this makes uploading articles to endnote so much easier.

my inspiration for the Phd (I'm in sociology) came from an event that
I was deeply moved aboput - a peaceful demonstration in Poland last year that was broken up by the police, 70 people arrested just because they wanted to show their support for gay and lesbian rights - before I had been planning to concentrate on something else but then got into the whole social movement stuff and public protest and was fascinated.

submitted;) well, now can start thinking of the next part.

not that close, but as we speak I am polishing the third instalment;) of my literature review, due tomorrow at 11 a.m. it's (will be) a hard day's night...

I'm doing my Ph.D. at Aston, Birmingham. BEfore coming here I had visions of an ugly, industrial city, which were pleasantly dispelled after a couple of weeks. OK, so it's not exactly a metropolis, but the cultural life is OK, I feel great at my uni, and the city has a few yet undiscovered gems.

I sing in a choir, absolutely love it - the beauty of harmony and all the voices together, in fact, have a concert tomorrow, on the occasion of World-AIDS day.

no, it's all about constructed masculinity... (couldn't help myself, too much gender studies will do that to you;)

on a more serious note - put yourself for a minute in the position of the supervisor, think about the potential ideal candidate and then try to hm, adjust your life to that vision. that is - mention any relevant extra-curricular/academic activities, anything that shows you can undertake independent research, are responsible,can manage time well,provide proof of your involvement in the chosen field etc. false modesty is out, so are huge exaggerations, good luck!

usually th lenght should be provided beforehand - if it's not, try and stay within the one-page (single space) limit, that's what I've done when I was applying everywhere last year. The place for the literatrue review is rather in the Ph.D. proposal, the covering letter is all about you and how everything you've done so far is leading to this great moment in history when hopefully you start your Ph.D.

I guess it depends on the university - mine (Aston) encourages all postgrads who are teaching to get Aston Certificate in HE or something similar, working on it but never remember the name;) Anyway, when you do the certificate there is a one-week intensive teaching course, then you get your own personal tutor, scheduled observations of the classes you teach, plenty of feedback etc. The certificate can later be used towards PGCert.

as a future Ph.D. student I suggest you should master the fine art of searching for information in an independent way, ie. instead of asking us how to find information about fellowships, try and find it yourself. It's out there.

Peronally, I'd be quite happy, being a dyke in forced celibacy period;)PhD does ruin your private life. Anyway, apart from my own preferences and stupid jokes, how about talking the thing through with your friend? That's the only sensible thing that comes to my mind.

Tomorrow I have my first official meeting with my supervisors...we'll see how it goes! good look to all of the first-timers

I live in Birmingham, and also get 1000£ per month, stay in dorm - 6o£ per week, easily manage to spend only 500-600£ per month. But then again, I hate clubbing and don't go out a lot.