Usually, it's based on whichever students have academic interests that fit nearest to the teaching requirements.

There are hardly any graduate schemes available at the moment! In my field, there are virtually none. It's definitely NOT a good idea to move out of academia at the moment.

I don't think this needs to be an issue, and it's probably more of problem in your own mind, than your students. If you dress well and act authoritative (ie. wear a smart clothes) you should have no problem setting yourself apart from the student body. There are young looking solicitors, accountants, barristers, medical doctors, investment bankers, police officers etc. etc. who have to do very responsible jobs and work with all ages, and none seem to claim ageism (not that I'm aware of anyway). The key is to exude confidence and authority, and even if you have to come across as a little aloof and arrogant, it might be necessary to set yourself apart from the students.

Little things can make someone look older eg. a good haircut, wearing good shoes, a good quality shirt, a good workbag.

When I was an undergrad, I taught by a very young lecturer, but he asserted his authority by being quite unfriendly and turning up to lecturers in attire suitable for a corporate office. Unfortunately, he let himself down by always carrying a glass of milk into the lecture room.

For employment opportunities, try looking at the figures on ranking/league tables.
For academics, look at the faculty web pages.

Generally speaking, KCL is much more highly regarded university than Royal Holloway.

I had this same problem, and after just reacquainting myself with my table of contents (which I really must proofread), I have put 'List of Figures and Tables'.

Aussiechick, have you include your Table of Contents in your wordcount?

Isn't this question just a bit of light relief?

I'd prefer to maintain anonymity (but my PhD is certainly not strange, though it may compete under the most boring!).

The weirdest PhD I've seen was one advertised on this site...regarding bread!

Thanks, I am going to consider the table of contents and list of abbreviations as included in the wordcount, as they are an intergral part of the thesis, and there is no guidance to the contrary.

Surprisingly the word count of these bits and bobs do add up to 2000 words.

======= Date Modified 12 21 2009 18:21:11 =======
Possible stupid question here...

Does are PhD wordcount usually include the table of contents and abstract?

My regulations don't clarify this point.

Appendices and bibliography are excluded, footnotes are included, but nothing is said about the table of contents/abstract nor acknowledgements.

======= Date Modified 12 Jul 2009 16:22:42 =======
Cut it down to 3,000 words - otherwise it may annoy the editor. Some publishers are very fussy about style guidelines.

All conferences are different, most don't refund fees if you cancel at the last minute. I'm not sure about travel insurance for train fares (it may cover you if you are ill), some tickets are refundable.

Ask yourself if this poster presentation is really worth the cost and the hassle?

This issue really bugs me in academia - my CV was uploaded on an academic website without my permission, and I was also filmed at conference without my permission or prior knowledge. It amazes me that intelligent people can had such disregard for private information or privacy (and I suppose this reveals the poor management/lack of real world experience in academia).

Anyway enough of my moaning...

I would say if you have good reason to object, then it shouldn't harm your career (the organisers will be reasonable), but if it's just because you don't like the idea of it, then you'll just have to accept it. Most conference proceedings are password protected, so it does seem a little unreasonable of the organisers to give public access, and they should at least give you full notification of their intentions. Ultimately, if you don't like the idea, don't do the conference.

======= Date Modified 10 Jul 2009 15:36:13 =======
A quick Google news search reveals a few more questionable recipients:

Bolton also gave Gary Neville a degree, and the founder of the band The Buzzcocks.

De Montfort gave Gary Lineker his THIRD honorary doctorate, along with Bill Maynard, who plays Greengrass in Heartbeat.

UCA (the University of Creative Arts...) honours Janet Street Porter.

Napier honours Sean Connery.

Cambridge honours a road sweeper.

You have a valid point Walminskipeas...in fact, Italy agrees with you (they banned honorary degrees) and so does MIT.

It's got so silly that it now devalues the university more so than the degree - particularly when the odd celeb actually uses the title.

Dr Pamela Stephenson (Billy Connelly's wife) is getting an honorary degree from RGU for 'achievements in human sexuality' (her actual real degree is from an unaccredited US university).

======= Date Modified 10 Jul 2009 11:18:18 =======
Thanks for the info. PhDbug. The Netherlands seems the best bet because they don't get hung up on language issues (eg. when you speak to a Dutch person in Dutch, they immediately switch to English). I don't speak fluent French/German, so they're out of the question. The programmes I'd teach on would all be in English, and I know lots of people who work in the Netherlands and don't speak a word of Dutch (although I would make every effort to do so). I also find the Dutch a very friendly bunch.

My main concern is finding a country with decent pay and the ability to buy a house and is not bogged down with the bureaucracy that blights the UK (eg the RAE/REF).