Hi Caz,

Thanks for flagging this up: it's right up my street. I'm off to an AHRC event tomorrow, that's also co-hosted by the BBC, so expect I may hear more about it then.

A.

Thanks WanderingSage. Just got home, exhausted from an entire day of ultra-concentration. It all went really well until mid-afternoon, when as part of our Induction, we were given a tour of an amazing art space. I ended up just looking, agog, rather than listening analytically. Still, think I've got some useful fieldnotes from earlier in the day.

Update: Ok, primed and ready to go, to write Observational, Methodological, Theoretical and Emotional notes. I'm dreading the resistance, but at least I've got an overt role. Would appreciate input from anyone else who's done similar fieldwork.

Have you considered UEA, - they have a very strong creative writing reputation. Don't fret about your marks: I got an average of 79%+ (which just missed a Distinction at my uni), but still managed to land a fully funded studentship. Good luck.

I'm having a trial run at writing some ethnographic fieldnotes tomorrow, for the first time, at an Induction session. Anyone got any tips?

Hi cobhc,
I've just started, and my supervisor recommended I take the summer off. So, sharpen your pencils, get a study space ready, and just relax for a bit. It's a bit like the final month or so of being pregnant: enjoy the peace before it all kicks off....

Hi Nir,

I'm getting bad flashbacks reading your thread: I contested my MA final score, after gaining a Distinction for my thesis (83%) but an overall average of 79.04%, with the threshold requirement for Distinction of 80%. The university were really unwilling to handle the conversation, and it ended up ruining my graduation day, as the registrar hadn't issued the final decision, and I only discovered this when I'd shaken hands, all gowned up, with my family watching, and I opened the envelope which contained (instead of my certificate), a letter saying that they couldn't confirm what I'd been awarded. Nightmare.
The good news is that I maintained a good relationship with my tutor (essential for references), and I went on to win a fully funded PhD. Take up the fight if you wish, but it will be a fight and may stand to lose more than you gain. Your transcript will always provide evidence of the strength of your grades.

I've just started too, and have spent the time to date as follows: becoming familiar with all of the departmental processes/systems, settling into research office, getting to know other PhD-ers, earnest reading, fulfilling requirements to attend Research Methods unit + coursework, getting to know Supervisor, drafting content for the regulatory submission in March 2011, re-evaluating the methodology from my research proposal, responding to requests to attend conferences/give seminars. Usual stuff I expect.

My 3 kids are at home, and I haven't picked up a book for seven days. Someone, please, tell me I'll get back on track next week...

Hi Eska,
Yup, I'm up the lookout tower, with my binoculars, and there's definitely a stampede coming over the horizon...
Still waiting to hear what the impact may be on fully funded AHRC studentships: will PhD fees increase? Will the AHRC funding cover increased university fees? Will the funding be reduced? Will it be taken away?

Yup, me too, in 2005. I was exhausted, but then again, I'd just had a baby. Get offline and crack on.

Hi Williambriggs79
It might be worth adding in the few fixed points that you can research in advance, according to the requirements of the research organisation: ie. Registration 6 months after enrolment, 1st Progress Report approx 10 months after enrolment etc., as that would indicate your awareness of the accountability timeframe.

Btw, anyone got any expectations of the impact of the CSR on AHRC awards for current holders?

So no-one's been paid then? The outcome of my negotiation is getting the full quarterly payment, but 28 days late. Not impressed, and I'll bet the entire annual maintenance grant that exactly the same thing will happen on a rolling basis each October.