Overview of Mackem_Beefy
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Supervisor Mistake Leaves me with No PhD After 4 years
It's really your responsibility to ensure your data are correct, not your supervisor's. I think you need to discuss this with your supervisor or head of department regarding whether you will have enough to submit for. PhD with the incorrect data.
TreeofLife, Dunham,
You may be being harsh here without fully understanding the situation. Albatross has indicated that whilst the samples were undergoing XRD, they were beyond her reach and thus outside her control.
All Albatross could do was ensure the samples were properly labelled and if an error has occurred within the lab, what could she do especially when at the time her supervisor has 'lied' by saying the sample were correct.
Albatross,
If you have labelled the samples correctly, can you prove this? I'd have thought you'd be allowed to be present during an XRD test at the very least to ensure correct procedure and not allowing access seems strange indeed. At my old Uni. we actually did the XRD ourselves!!!
Also, can you show that your supervisor has said the samples were correct then later said they weren't? If you've correspondence in writing and can prove you were sent to a conference with falsified data, you may have the basis of an action against your University should the situation be irretrievable.
That said, look at what you have and see what can be used. And yes, given the XRD database isn't updated until after Christmas, that should be the basis for an extension appeal as you cannot access your data until then.
As a first step, see if you can retrieve a workable, submittable thesis from this situation and obtain your PhD. After this, pass or fail, see what your options are as to whether further action can be taken against either the University or your supervisor. If you obtain your PhD, this may not be necessary.
Yes, the old adage "Universities close ranks" will apply, though this becomes more difficult for them if you have proof of wrongdoing or error in procedure.
Ian
PubhD!
Been wondering if any of you have experience of attending/presenting at one of the many PubhD events around the country?
Also would like to see one in Leeds (UoL PhD student!), but don't live there so would find running/organising it full time difficult.
More info here:
There should be a rule that the 10 minute presentation presentation can only be given once 8 pints of beer (or whatever your tipple) or lager have been consumed!!!
Some of the outcomes should be fun!!! :-)
Ian
PhD vs job opportunity
It's great isn't it... not even a happy ending!
I don't know. If someone has enough dirt for square 39, I guess such information could be used to 'help' your position. ;-)
(See my PM to you.)
Ian
PhD vs job opportunity
Just 'played' that game... scarily likely!!! Can't really go past step 9 at the mo... but looking forward to it.
Not.
Cheers!
In my old department, it was circulated to new PhD students as a rite of passage on starting their PhD. The above is a slightly enlarged version of the one I saw.
Squares 9 (I related to this very strongly), 40, 42, 43 (which actually happened to me) and 44 I note are additional, as is the very hopeful square 39.
This newer version just had to be added to my blog when I saw it!!! :-)
Ian
Resigned from PhD now want to finish!
Going by the characters who get honararies, he probably could have got it for nothing!!!
Never was a truer word spoken in jest!!!
Please do not start me off on honorary degrees!!! :-)
Ian
Publishing with Supervisor, but Got Ditched!!!
One possible reason might emerge if you google the Lacour / Greene mess. I imagine a lot of senior folks will be more wary of publishing now when they know their name is on the paper because they are famous, not because they've really contributed to the paper. Not that I'm suggesting that you've fabricated data of course, more that I think very arms length collaborations like the one you outline are being frowned on a bit these days, and maybe that is why he's changed his mind.
I just read that and all I can say is what a mess!!!
That's just it. If someone writes a paper and later problems are found with it, then other people listed as co-authors can be implicated even if their names are present only as courtesy.
Ian
Publishing with Supervisor, but Got Ditched!!!
I chose to publish with this person because they are one of committee supervisors, plus works in my area of interest. Absolutely!! the person was going to be an author on the papers.
Interestingly, this in no way answers my question. Never mind :)
I have to admit I misread the heading for this thread as well. I thought she meant ditched in relationship terms. My mistake (sorry). :-)
Ian
PhD vs job opportunity
You will eventually get to the job you want after you've finished - it's not all as bleak as people say it is.
Really??
Fair comment Eds!!! :-)
Ian
PhD vs job opportunity
I have a decision to make very soon whether to continue on with the PhD and possibly turn down a very good job opportunity or take a year off from the PhD and accept the decent job which is good experience and good money but not in my area.
My dilemma is that I'm working so hard on the PhD to get a better job so I am reluctant to turn down a manager position to possibly not have any job opportunity at the end of my PhD, on the other hand, to accept the job I would be taking on a position managing a care home for the elderly which would need at least a year commitment and is not in the area I'm studying and I would need to postpone my full time study.
My university and supervisor won't allow me to do the PhD part time. Has anyone been in a similar situation??
How badly do you want the PhD compared to the job? How far off finishing are you.
Economic sense is to take the job. Is it a temporary contract of one year? Suspend the PhD for one year and come back to it.
Is it permanent? If so, you have some soul searching, but I remember the battle I had to find another job after my second post-doc finished. As said, there's plenty posts on here from people unable to find work.
Would I have quit in similar circumstances to you? I don't know, however, if I knew exactly what problems I was going to face a few years later (overqualified, waiting for something better to come along, etc.) I'd have been sorely tempted to jump ship if a really good job opportunity came along.
Click on the link to view the PhD Game, which I think sums up the situation as regards PhDs, jobs and unemployment fairly well for many people.
Ian
PhD and relationships
I remember a while back saying something along the lines of because I'd spent an extended portion of my life in higher education or academia (in research) I'd find it very difficult to have a lasting relationship with, say, someone who'd left school at 16. I was quickly corrected by someone who'd gone through PhD, but whose husband had left school at 16 and was a carpenter or something similar (?).
My take is it's all to do with how well you can relate to someone. Obviously, the lady who corrected me and her husband related very well to each other and all the best to them for that.
However, I still feel going through the ringer in education and academia does in many cases alter our hot wiring. Many of us have been through PhD and having had those experiences, how many can honestly say we're the same person as we were at 16 or even when we finished our first degrees? We then run into mates who left school say at 16 and gone straight into work, and whilst we can have a few beers and a bit of banter, sooner or later unless there is other common ground then differences eventually show through. Similarly, someone above said as a social scientist, she tended to avoid people with science, engineering and technology backgrounds - even though they were on the same educational level, there was a gulf between them.
It's not a case of "because I've an education, I'm better than you". That's utter bollocks and an arrogance I don't like. There's plenty ordinary people lived fulfilled lives without that "education". It's simply that our experiences change us in different ways and the common ground we need to form a lasting relationship will shift and change with that.
It's not necessarily education that causes changes and thus what we want out of a partner. There are other things that can form common ground such as hobbies, travel or (a no no for some) work.
Ian
Resigned from PhD now want to finish!
You're best bet would be to try re-registering at your original University and with your supervisors' support, you should be able to.
However, given that you have completely withdrawn it is very doubtful if any outstanding funding due to you before you quit would once again become available. You may have to finance any remaining period from your own pocket. That is unless your supervisors have made arrangements to cover at least the fees of any remaining study.
The only instance I know of where someone has re-registered on their original PhD after quitting is Brian May of Queen fame. However, money would not be an issue with him. :-)
Ian
Examiners said my corrections could be done in a week and I still haven't finished them! What to do?
I had minor corrections and as much as it was tempting to take a breather before I did them, I opted to push through get them done. As you've discovered, once you stop then it's difficult to start again.
You're within the six months so there's no need to contact the examiners. Just get the corrections done and over with, submitted and finally have your life back. Then you will properly have your PhD.
Ian
Starting PhD after 4 years of job
Hi All,
I have just started my PhD after working for 4 long years in a non-science field. I am bit anxious and apprehensive about the road I have chosen to walk on. I have been talking to some PhD students lately, who shared their positive and negative experiences that they've had since the start of their PhD journey.
I am worried and would like to know whats the best way to start a PhD, is it just reading as many research papers as we can and taking notes of it?
Also, whats the best time and an appropriate way to start writing a review paper? How should I go about it?
Really appreciate help.
I went into my PhD after five years out after Masters. I personally found it an advantage, as I was was older and finally mature enough for the challenge. I also couldn;t have tackled it straight after masters, as at that stage I was weary of being a student and the break recharged me in that respect.
Starting is about reading as many relevant key papers as you can, fulling in th eothers as you go along plus any new pieces of work you become aware of. However, I concede constant literature review is boring and I'd advise also beginning to use any equipment you might use, say, in a Science or Engieering PhD.
It was during this early fiddling around I managed to achieve my first original finding and as a result i got a flyer at the start. However, don't expect that to happen as a PhD is a marathon and not a sprint. It's more likely you'll obtain your original data once the programme proper begins in earnest.
As regards writing a review paper, that may depend upon subject. This is one area I would sit down with your supervisor to discuss how to go about it. The review paper may form the basis of your literature review in your final thesis, this critical appraisal is the key.
Ian
Unemployed :(
Hi Kathryn, No one should feel reduced to a panic attack at the thought of socialising with colleagues.
It's just a sinking feeling... I can't go home at 5pm, instead I have to socialise with colleagues after work and it's just another chore. I have to put on my fake "social" face and pretend I'm interested in small talk, and think of things to say. It's exhausting. I'd prefer to be at home with my cat and family.
One of the reasons I liked being a PhD student was because I was mostly left alone to get on with my work without anyone interfering. I actually do ok with teaching because it's very structured interaction where we're discussing pre-defined topics. I don't have to be chatty or witty and nobody has to like me.
Like it or not, this is par for the course. Even if you only stay an hour then excuse yourself for childcare reasons, it shows willing, making a massive difference in colleagues' perceptions of you!!!
Referring to my earlier post and comments you've made since, I was also in the situation that my research record wasn't current. Yes, I tried to publish my existing data and managed to push out several papers from it. Glancing at scholar.google.com shows people are reading and citing them.
However, an additional problem was academic and research posts were going to fresh PhD graduates and I basically stood no chance. I'm still in the real world job I mentioned I'd found earlier. A point comes you have to admit that not everything follows that golden path you might have planned for yourself, simply to ensure you're earning a wage. It's also easier to find a job when in a job.
I'll be blunt. Your PhD is only important to you. Be proud of your achievement, but don't believe the world owes you more because you can call yourself "Doctor".
Ian
Unemployed :(
Kathryn,
Dare I say, been there got the T-shirt. I ended up in your situation due to a very poor post-doc experience at a Uni. other than my PhD Uni. I'll not bore people with the story, however, I took on what was meant to be a "moving on" 2nd post-doc away from my PhD Uni., I fell out with a post-doc assigned with my mentor and ultimately the project leading Prof. I left without a reference, making my job hunting especially difficult. Put simply, my face didn't fit and they should never have employed me as I was not suited to the post.
The feelings you are having are vitually the same as mine back then. I felt that what I had to offer was worthless and I had a skills set no-one wanted. I attacked the jobs market for both academic and real world posts. The responses you'll recognise, in that I was too academically oriented, I would move on as soon as something better came along or I'd find the job boring.
In the end, I restructured my CV to emphasise my real world skills, demoting my academic achivements largely to the second page. I also learnt how to better sell myself. Wording in CVs and interviews should be about what you achieved and what positive outcomes resulted, rather than about "what you did". I made the language more positive and saleable as well. I had per-PhD industrial experience to fall back on, helping me to finally land a job albeit outside academia.
A further factor was I was called back to my PhD Uni. for some unpaid work, which helped reset my references. You have teaching experience, thus you might become a trainer in industry.
One key difference between you and I. I never regreted the PhD iitself, an orignal contribution, new knowledge, the reasons I did a PhD. And all that fun kit to play with too I never thought I have the chance to use. No regrets!!!
Ian
