Oh gawd...this thread is so apt!

I've put on lots & lots of weight from bad eating habits, my hermit lifestyle, eating because of stress, and medication. I mostly blame my chocolate addiction though....Chocolate Buttons, Malteasers, Minstrels, Thorntons' chocolates... (oh my).

I have started walking every morning at 7am for just 20-30 minutes at a brisk pace - this seems to have really had some good effects i.e. better mood, increased alertness etc. And the great thing about walking first thing in the morning is the lack of people, so there is no need to do one's hair, put on make-up and look presentable.

I've purchased a pedometer in light of the 10,000 steps a day advice that we are all supposed to do. However, there is no way I have time to walk 10,000 steps a day, but I am aiming for 5,000 steps.

I'm also drinking lots of green tea and eating good stuff.

How long this new lifestyle will last...I'm not sure...but so far, so good.

======= Date Modified 06 Oct 2008 14:46:40 =======
I'm going to the dentist tomorrow, and I know it will cost a small fortune. The Visa card will get a hammering. :-(

The cost of some treatments are shockingly expensive.

Like you SillyBilly, I have put off going the dentist for so long that I'll face lots of treatment. I guess I'll receive a lecture and made to feel like a 6 yr old.

Another good reason to regularly go to the dentist is to keep on an NHS list, unlike me who had to find a private dentist.

This isn't bad news for us though, is it? (I say very tentatively). We can get jobs in academia that is, for the most part, unaffected from the economic downturn (as talked about on another thread on the forum).

The article speaks the truth, I know lots of grads who have had their sparkling city jobs suspended or withdrawn. This is what happens when a government attempts to push 50% of high school leavers into university without considering what happens when they emerge from the other end of the sausage factory.

======= Date Modified 05 Oct 2008 06:08:12 =======
Joanne, I sent you a PM (click inbox to the left even if it show '0' messages).

I don't think you have in anyway missed the boat if your desire is to undertake a PhD. You're only 3 years beyond graduation! People do PhDs in their 20s, 30s, & 40s with all sorts of backgrounds.

The main problems that you face, which PhDbug has already mentioned, is your 2.1 classification with no masters, and your underlying motivations for doing a PhD.

With respect to your 2.1, this is unlikely to get you into a PhD programme, and probably not in a decent university. You say you can't afford to do a masters, but how do you plan to fund the PhD? With a 2.1, it is highly unlikely you're going to get funding (although still apply, you never know!). Your depression/unhappy jobs will have little bearing on your application - it is the academic qualifications that matter the most for domestic students.

Given your depression, you should also very, very carefully consider whether the PhD is right for you. PhD life is lonely, leaves one alone with their own thoughts and the hours are very long. It can make people very susceptible to depression (search the forum to see). You also have to develop a thick skin as you'll come across a lot of egotistical people.

If you really want to do a PhD, you have to prove you are more than just a hard working, intelligent individual with a 2.1. You need to show true interest in a particular research topic, and be able to justify that research and what you can add to it. I would strongly recommend you do a masters - this would solve a lot of your problems, i.e. references, acquiring the relevant skills and taking your career in another direction even if you don't pursue a PhD.

======= Date Modified 05 Oct 2008 06:50:45 =======
Hi Joanne,



With respect to getting a GTA/teaching associate position, I think you have an average chance. On the whole, I find they normally go to people with a first class LLB (UK law degree) and/or a British LLM. However, GTAs do sometimes go to foreign students who can teach modules on LLM programmes. Ultimately it depends if you knowledge base directly matches modules that they need help in. I think the main stumbling block will be your lack of a JD/LLB.



I don't know about the acceptance rates for B/ham law courses, but the LLB has very high standards. With respect to PhDs, as long as a student has a first class degree (equivalent to a US 3.7 or above) or 2.1 plus a masters, most universities will accept them. Notably, universities are VERY interested to give places to international students as they are subject to exorbitant fees. You'll find most universities accept you with open arms, and often favour internationals over domestic students because of fees (although they'd never admit that in a million years).



B/ham is one university I have never visited, but the city itself is busy urban sprawl that is very culturally diverse compared to other cities (you'll find it quiet in comparison to LA). It also has lots of traffic problems - so that will make you feel at home ;). It has some very nice leafy suburbs (eg. Bournville, where the chocolate factory is!), and you can easily drive out into the countryside. B/ham also has the newly built bullring shopping centre (the architecture is very impressive).



If your research area is criminal justice/policing, have you considered Cambridge and Kent?

======= Date Modified 04 Oct 2008 14:17:22 =======
I know several 40somethings that have completed PhDs - usually they are the best at finishing on time too! However, I do have one friend in the USA who failed to complete her SJD (law doctorate) - her desire to practice law and teach ultimately took priority over her research.



Since your friend has taught in HE for 9 years he should be already be an excellent writer and researcher, so is already in a good position.

I may use one if I can't get friends/family to give my work a read thru. However, before you go any further check your university doesn't have strict rules on using copy-eds/proofers (I think B/ham and Cambridge are two that forbid it).

This is the only list I can find that is drawn up by a university that lists proofers:
http://www.brad.ac.uk/acad/management/external/els/pdf/proofreaders.pdf

The costs vary widely, and depends just how good or bad your writing is.

Yep, I agree with the other poster, a PhD in Law provides more opportunities. Although a PhD in Law, has absolutely no bearing on the process of becoming a practising lawyer. However, other opportunities can arise beyond the academic route.

I would also say a PhD in law is much tougher option compared to a soc. science PhD. Now, I'm not attempting to undermine soc. sci PhDs, but the writing and approach to a PhD in law can be harder. For example, many law PhDs do not easy adapt to a soc. sci PhD structure ie. intro, literature review etc etc (unless it's very socio-legal). In fact, many law professors will not allow you to use this structure. You'll also find you'll have less contact hours with law professors compared to soc. sciences professors (as you have found with your experience of B'ham).

You don't say what you background is, i.e., do you have a law degree? If not, you may find it quite difficult slotting into a law school and the different approaches to writing cf. to soc sciences. You'll also find that the studentship/GTA positions at Birmingham will go to candidates who can teach core undergraduate law courses (ie. contract, tort, criminal law) and not necessarily modules with a soc. science twist eg. criminology. If you don't have a British LLB you'll probably not be in the running for such funding, and the funding will likely go to a UK/EU student.

With respect to the actual universities, both are very good. B'ham probably has the edge in terms of ranking/status (it's a Russell Group member), and it's law school is highly regarded. Lancaster is a little lower in terms of status; however, it's a nice university on a self-contained campus (I was up there not so long ago). It also has a very friendly atmosphere.

I've never heard of 'UWCN Newport'. It sounds like an FE college that has took university status by affiliating itself to a bigger university. If this is the case, it's unlikely to attract the best academics.

I think you're refering to the Firefox add-on called 'Leech'.

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/4476

It's very helpful, but can be circumvented easily. Nevertheless, still very useful.

Another reason that has just dawned on me (doh) is that the pay increase for this year must be 2.5% or the rate of inflation (which ever is greater)...this will apparently 'floor' some universities (and I imagine underperforming departments will go under):
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2008/sep/09/lecturerspay.inflation

@ Coastman, I think the RAE only expects entry-level lecturers to have 2 publications per year, so having newer staff doesn't have a negative effect on the actual rating as it's weighted to allow for that (well, that's what I've always thought anyway...).

Hopefully, it will just be RAE anticipation.

Is anyone else noticing something of a scarcity of jobs in the academic job market at the moment??

In my field (law) there has been very few jobs advertised over the past few months. At first I blamed it on summer holidays, but now everyone is back at uni and the jobs still aren't appearing. Normally, jobs pop up now as faculty members may have left over the summer etc.

I'm wondering if universities are holding back recruitment until the RAE results are published, and consequently their budgets are decided.

I'm hoping the economic downturn is not having an impact!