Some taught Masters are awarded 'M.Phil' (this is usually at more 'prestigious' institutions - e.g. Oxford/Cambridge/Trinity Dublin).

Dee - I'm assuming you are discussing a TAUGHT programme

Well done you!!!

If you don't mind me asking, what area was your PhD in? Did you manage to complete in 3 years?

I'm with SexKitten on this one ...

If you REALLY want to do a PhD, then consider doing one part-time (... there are LOTS of people out there with PhD's who are struggling to find work!).

At some point in the future, would you be able to move to another department?

Also, is it difficult to get onto the Civil Service Fast Stream? (... thinking of applying when I finish my PhD)

Anyone who says they are enjoying their PhD obviously isn't into the 'write up' phase (... or has yet to put pen to paper)!!!

I'm with golfpro on this one ... 5 million quid would be a lot more enjoyable!

Chris,

At my uni library (I'm f/t PhD and p/t lecturer), if a book is 'ref only' they can make allowances and allow me to take it out for a few days (so I can sift through and work out what I need to photocopy).

Are your library that harsh that they won't allow you to do that?

If not, request it via inter-library loan (which costs the uni money!), and if they 'kick-up' say you've no other option and you need a copy you can take out (... in a polite way - of course!).

Hope that helps.

Just spent the past few weeks reading texts which I thought would be useful for my next chapter, only to realise that what I intended to do isn't going to work (i.e. the reading I've done is no longer relevant = has been a waste of time).

Has anyone else shared this (or a similar) experience???

Is this a 'normal' part of the PhD process (I'm starting to think it only happens to me)?

I've been reading lots of threads and noticed there are continual references to Dan B being banned. Can someone please clarify ... exactly why was Dan B banned??? Is it solely because he used different usernames (surely not) ...

SexKitten - I completely sympathise ... I'm stuck in Southampton to! This place is so dull, and there are only so many trips to West Quay a person can make!

The only plus is ... this place is so depressing (and waking up everyday thinking "I want to get out of this place asap") is good motivation for getting on with PhD work!

As H said, 'a slap and a kick for being a git' ... then you should sack him off!!!

The thought of eating one makes me feel quite ill (... but give me a slice of decent Christmas cake - now that's a different matter).

Forgot to add this ref to:

Sewell, T. (1997) 'Black Masculinities and Schooling: How Black Boys Survive Modern Schooling'

Firstly, I am absolutely disgusted by some of the comments that have been made on this thread.

The fact that even attempting to discuss ethnic minorities/racism/etc results in this, really does speak volumes (Jenny, I'm sure you hear what I am saying here!).

Jenny - you might be interested in looking at the following text:

O'Donnell, M. & Sharpe, S. (2000) 'Uncertain Masculinities' (I'm sure there are sections where the young boys discuss schooling - which is what I'm assuming you'd be interested in reading about)

I hope this experience on the forum hasn't put you off revisiting the website ... there are some nice/ok people here.

Jenny - I totally understand where you are coming from ... and feel the responses on this thread demonstrate why further research into this area is needed!!! (... I also think some of these responses have demonstrated a fundamental misunderstanding/confusion about 'racism' with 'institutional racism'!).

If you like, I can post some refs of books that you might find interesting - just let me know.

Mista G - At no point did I accuse you of being a racist, or try to label you as such. I would suggest you pause and reflect before writing such heated responses.

Jenny - It might be an idea to start a new thread about this (... however, I do think that part of the problem is black students experience in schooling and racism do become inextricably linked and will emerge within discussions). Are you conducting research in this area?

Hi Jenny,

No, I'm not black but Asian (doing a social science based PhD, full-time), and also from a (very) working-class background.

The most important influence for me has always been my family. They've always emphasised that education is a 'good thing', and always stated, 'whatever happens to you in life, once you get your bits of paper no-one can take them away from you'. I do look at people very close to me (both family and friends), and consider myself 'lucky' for being given this opportunity (i.e. the luxury of being given a bursary to undertake a PhD). Having said all that, I also know (because of my upbringing) that a PhD is not the 'be all and end all', so it helps keep the whole process in perspective.

I'm not being very articulate (I've got a raging cold at the moment), but I hope you get what I'm trying to say.

With regards to the 'racism' issue ... have you started teaching yet???