I'm a big believer in redrafting. Anything I submit to my sup is at least the 3rd draft. By then I feel that I have worked through simple regurgitating of the material and have at least moved from description to evaluation. That's another point - what we're doing is evaluating previous research not simply describing what's out there. I know lit reviews are bringing previous work together but the aim is to do so to substantiate your own argument and find your niche. And to do so you need to evaluate surely?

Anyhow I'm waffling on. Learning to write is a huge part of the process - if not the main one. And writing is not simply typing out words. Give yourself as much time for writing and rewriting as much as reading. Give yourself time to find your voice.

I don't want to go all hippy or New World or RHCP but part of the PHd experience is finding your own voice.

Good tips in here already. All I would add is that your voice will come from a bit of distance from your work and redrafting. What I mean is write what you feel is a good piece of work, leave it for a few days, and then revisit it with fresh eyes. As you rework sentences to give your writing a bit of flow you will find that you naturally begin to discover your voice.

This might take 3 weeks or the full 3 years but remember that as you get more confident with the material your own voice will appear.

For me, less than zero.

IMO if you are regularly working 11 hours a day then, frankly, you are quite shit at the PhD thing.

I received an email during the week of some research money that is available through my uni. My question is how do you go about organising/justifying your trip? Did you contact one of the professors in the department of the host uni you like the look of? Did you contact the research centre? Did you try and get on a course for a semester? I'm not planning to do all these things but I'm trying to get a sense of how people on here approach it. For me personally I'm looking for a semester experience at this uni and to use the materials/resources to get a paper out of it.

Also what kind of experiences have people had in terms of applying for research money? How long does it take to come through?

Thanks

Hi guys

I'm due to give a conference paper in a few weeks. I was wondering about other people's approaches to all this conference paper business. I gave my 1st paper in Europe during the autumn and I had planned that paper for months rewriting and rewriting. It was basically an adapted version of the 1st chapter of my thesis and I was within the mindset of "here I am. This is what I do. I am a serious researcher".

The paper I am presenting is a few weeks will be a version of the 2nd chapter of my thesis but I feel completely differently about the conference. I feel like simply presenting as if this is my work-in-progress fellow researchers, what do you think? I guess it's a more informal approach but I feel like I'm trying to find my own feet within a chapter that is moving a little out of my field and I'd like good feedback about it.

My strategy at the moment is simply to introduce myself and my research. State how this separate research field impinges (not that is a quintessential phd word right there!) on my studies. State it's a work in progress and would appreciates thoughts and feedback after. Give the paper. Engage in the panel discussion and hopefully get some thoughts. Hopefully some drinks and chat afterwards.

My point is just that I'm very relaxed at the moment about the experience. I see it more as what can I learn from these experts rather than seeing it as a performance in which I have to prove myself.

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I have to say, though I am biased, that having children whilst doing a Phd makes the experience less of an ego trip. I love the phders in my department moaning and stressing about the most meaningless tiny details about them and their Phds. Having a child really opens your eyes up to the reality of phd study - both in terms of how lucky we are and also the relative (in)significance of it all.

I'm not advocating everyone gets pregnant by the way!!! (Though I am here if anyone needs any help!! Hope my wife doesn't see this!!)

I live apart from my partner of 9 years because of my PHd so I can definitely offer some support.

All I can say is lots of communication. Establishing phone call, skype routines is good for the soul. It just means you dont have to worry about the next time you will talk to them when you might feel you need a good chat/cry/moan etc. It gives you something to look forward to when the days are just dragging.

Also dont neglect your own social life away from the phd. Get a (new) hobby and go out with friends. Don't feel guilty about enjoying yourself!

And plan your sex trips!! Very important!

I gave a paper at a conference in Sept and was invited to have my paper published in a respected journal. I received the editor comments recently and there are a number of points that I would consider to be, at best, moving away from the argument of the paper, and at worst, just simple mis-readings.

In this case would you stick to your guns and rewrite the paper as you see it, make a few compromises, or go along with the editor's line of thinking regarding the article?

Has anyone any experience of this?

The way I look at it is this.

A forum is a place for debate, i.e., differing opinions. If someone takes such offence at an anonymous internet post then that says it all to me. Yes PHD land is a selfish place and breeds self-obsession but people need to get over it.

Having such problems with a supervisor, in my opinion, says as much about the student as the supervisor. Its a two way street.

Hi guys

Could anyone do me a massive favour and send me a copy of this article. As usual my institution doesnt have access to this journal.

The direct link to the article is https://mensstudies.metapress.com/content/6x37814n17187p84/resource-secured/?target=fulltext.pdf&sid=2e2h1g45hh4peb55qzgcrzug&sh=www.mensstudies.com

Pm me if you can get it and ill send you my uni address.

Thanks!

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Whatever you do don't print out ever single paper and sit down to read them to see if they might be useful. I once saw a phd student doing that and she was at the end of her thesis. Think of all the paper see must have wasted.

Anyhow yeah I normally go - title, abstract, end of intro para, conclusion, references, first and last line of each para. If it floats my boat then its in.

Dont worry about you have to read everything in case you miss any litlle kernel of inspiration or information. If its important you will come across it again cross referenced somewhere else.

Fight the lit review guilt of not reading everything. We're learning to be efficient researchers and that means identifying the value of something quickly, not dedicating silly hours reading everything.

And definitely write as you read! Great way of assimilating ideas and forming your own view on the literature out there. Plus if you put on the spot for work by your supervisor then you can show him or her all the writing you are doing!!

A doctor once laughed at my erect willy. It's a bit of a stand up comedian!