I actually got asked some really interesting questions about challenges that higher ed institutions in the UK are facing and what can we do to change them (Brexit, funding etc). Future plans for publishing is usually a popular question too.

Your supervisor is most likely concerned that you are spending too much time teaching and not enough on your PhD. I highly doubt your supervisor us threatened by you.

I've got two interviews coming up...one three days before my viva, the other the day AFTER my viva. Happy days!!

I wasn't expecting them at all, and they are taking so much time to prep for. I have to do a powerpoint on how I would deliver a module at postgrad level when I have no experience of teaching postgrads. I've not even done a Masters myself so I feel like I have nothing to draw upon, at all. They are taking up all my time and energy and it's hit me that I have barely thought about my viva cos of it. I don't have a clue what to expect, and I constantly have butterflies and a dodgy stomach thinking about it :( (sorry for TMI)

No definitely don't contact them asking them what their concern is! A major skill that we are supposed to show in the viva is thinking on your feet.

The internal can sometimes drop hints if you know them and speak to them regularly enough.

You should probably check the conditions of your grant, I was only allowed to undertake six hours a week paid work.

A rejection is not a failure, but sadly a normal part of academic life. It's something we have to get used to.

Based on your previous thread, you worry far too much about your supervisor's feelings towards you. It sounds as though you're either developing a crush or you're pushing yourself too hard for perfection. This is your project, not his, take some control and stop caring what he thinks. It is your project and he is just the mentor.

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You should be very careful about faking anything. Us older folks are very good at sniffing out fakery. Very good indeed. Some of us are evil enough to deliberately ask questions like this just to test for this. Lets be honest if you are going to fake an inteview can you be trusted not to fake data when push comes to shove?[/quote]

A tad overboard. All of us have had to exaggerate at an interview at one time or another. It is not related in any way to faking data.

I think you need to do some reading. There is no such thing as a qualitative questionnaire. What I would do is sort responses into categories and input the data that way, using something like SPSS

And I feel strangely empty and lost!

Thank you to everyone on here who was there to answer my queries and read about my woes. The 'cyber-support' has been just as important as the other types of support.

Yes I had exactly the same experience and did write a post myself about similar experiences. what bothered me was people assuming I am always free because I work from home. To be honest I just stopped trying to explain and found that turning down invitations and requests for help due to work sent out a clearer message. I also found that my parents became a lot more supportive towards the end when they saw how stressful it is and have made it clear how proud they are.
Sorry I don't have more constructive advice. For me I just think unless you've done a PhD you'll never understand how it is.

I am due to submit in a matter of weeks, examiners had all agreed and been approved, and my internal has just emailed to say that she won't have time to examine the thesis while she is on a fellowship and she's too busy.

My supervisor seems too p**ssed off to discuss it at the moment, he sent an email that just said he doesn't know how to proceed and do I have any ideas. The only suggestion I have is a guy who I originally really wanted and who was very compatible, but was too new and hadn't reached the end of his probation yet. I want to try and push to see if he could be internal.

Seriously....angry isn't the word. I am so anxious this could be a massive set back when I am so close to finishing up and handing in.

Only just noticed this was resurrected from 8 years ago. Sigh.

My opinion is that you are far too trusting. I would never send my work to people I don't know over the internet. My humble advice to you is to take pride in your work. Send it to your potential supervisor and perhaps a family member who isn't familiar with what you do for proof reading.

I'm not going to play the 'I don't have time' card, whilst I am on a forum ;)

What I have heard is that well-established professors tend to be a lot tougher if that helps!