Overview of CATE

Recent Posts

Lecturing jobs
C

I don't think it will make a difference - you will be judged on your research and also of course it will depend what is around at the time. It is going to a tough market for us all with all the job cuts that are looming. Rothamsted is a  really respected research establishment so this will help you but maybe you can also look at whether there are opportunities for you to do a small amount of teaching at Rothamsted or other universities nearby (if Rothamsted would support this). I teach on a distance learning course and have done odd slots at another University - I hope all this may help me in the longer term.

Not to divert from Mark's posting but hopefully to add to it I would be really interested to hear what others are doing to increase their job prospects. Now my uni offers new PhD students the chance to take a Uni teach qualification (a postgraduate certificate)- this wasn't available when I started and I wondered if I should try and do this. Has anyone else out there done this and is it useful?

Cate

Finding this so hard!
C

Hi

Only you can answer what is right for you but don't base the decision on comparing yourself to others. If you got there it means you can do it - it isn't easy to get in to a great university. When I started I also felt really intimidated - I just didn't know or understand all the research vocab - as a PhD is a big step up - but over time you get there. Having said that I am still full of self doubt about completing (just starting to struggle with the writing up process!). A PhD is a tough journey.

I think you need to write a list about what the pros and cons are for doing it and what you aim to do in the future. A PhD is potentially useful in many other disciplines, e.g. consultancy, policy work, the discipline to which it relates etc. The key question is will you enjoy the 3 years. If not forget about the embarrassment factor and just assess your other job prospects - the world is tough out there at the moment so don't quit until you have something else. It may be worth doing the year and getting an MPhil? But as I said at the start think hard about the right choice for you and forget about the other students aroung you.

Early years researcher grants
C

Hi all,

I am desperately trying to put in a bid for the early years researcher grants because they are going to be pulled in February. Ideally I would have done this later when I had written more. I want to stay in academic work so its a long shot as I know they are hugely competitive. I wondered if anyone out there had managed to obtain one and had any tips on the process? Or is anyone else struggling through this process too?

Cate

Drawing a table of 'hits' in a literature search
C

Great thanks so much I will look forward to getting that Kikuka

I am following a systematic literature approach and so the table will help me demonstrate that I have followed through on this. It also should show how I have limited my searches given that I am investigating computer mediated communications and there are potentially millions of sources.

Drawing a table of 'hits' in a literature search
C

Kikuka

Just grappling with the same thing. Did you get any good examples that you could share?

Cate