I'm the same as Ady, I thought I'd overlooked your viva story. I did think about you a few weeks ago and so it's great to know you passed. Many congratulations!!!

It is very, very, very difficult to get any type of employment at the minute and so if it were me I would take the job and, if I didn't like it, look for something else. That's just my take on it...

Happy to read about the 3 year funded fellowship. Having experienced serious bullying before I know how hard it can be and how the effects can be long lasting (even years later). Could you not take some time out before starting the fellowship and perhaps go home for a bit?

Anyway, I'm glad you're moving on.

======= Date Modified 15 Nov 2011 15:36:47 =======
Really I am OK and am very relaxed but I just don't like the research (I don't doubt myself as a researcher) and was just considering the options.

Ian, that's very kind of you but I'm fine. I had asked partly out of interest, partly because although my supervisor has expressed confidence in the thesis I'm fairly sure they haven't read it and so I lack confidence in their opinion of it (and think in reality the first people to read the thesis apart from myself will be the examiners) and partly because I had considered asking prior to viva to be awarded an MPhil as I don't particularly like the research and am reluctant to be associated with it but if it can be accessed as an MPhil anyway I might as well go for the PhD.

You have been very helpful, thank you!

Thanks Ian, that's really good advice. I'm letting my supervisor attend when the times comes.

Thanks everyone.

======= Date Modified 11 Nov 2011 13:23:42 =======
Thanks Skig.

It's my understanding that my supervisor gets to submit a report and this is taken into consideration when considering the outcome. My supervisor is not responding to my emails. My feeling is my request hasn't been taken in good spirit but hopefully I'm wrong.

Thanks everyone, your thoughts have been very helpful and I'll let you know what I decide.

Love it, Sneaks!!!:p

Thanks Sneaks. I'm 100% sure my supervisor would never intervene in the process. What I mean is my supervisor would keep their mouth firmly zipped throughout. I don't want them there because the time I really needed them was during my PhD and I think they just want to be there to claim some credit should there be any glory.

My supervisor wanted to sit in my viva but I said no and I've heard nothing since. Do you think this will have an impact on the viva outcome? I don't know what sway my supervisor holds with the examiners.

That's better. It keeps it all together which is great as your experience was particularly informative. Thanks!

That's good, I'm glad it went well. All the very best with it!