Ah no problem. The first presentation is the hardest but it gets easier. Also I haven't done one yet I think an online presentation might be easier as you cant see the people watching you.

Goodluck!

Thanks. I used the image in an infographic and couldn't think of anything else.

Though did you see that we got the option for a combined forum with the the subs.
https://www.postgraduateforum.com/latest

8) Image upload - Not that important but it is such a useful feature.

9) Character count limit on when drafting posts - I didn't know it still existed until I tried to post this. There used to be a little box that said how many characters you had left, so you could write accordingly. Now it says if you are over with no idea how far over.

This is a more general comment about the forum
10) Community engagement. I don't want to be rude but this forum has been declining ( please don't lynch me) and most of the regular posters have finished their PhDs. There are the occasional new people who post like 1-10 times and then the long term users who have been coming here for years, even after their PhD. Most of the conversations are about advice/support and keep regular users coming back. Though it feels like you are trying to refocus the forum towards the application process which is your core business but does not reward engagement. To keep the forum going I think there needs to be an influx of new posters and to retain current users. I personally don't know how to do this but adding discrete sections for post-docs or post-PhD discussion might help. Or reward users for by having ranks based on there posts. Or encourage people to have activity posts, where someone logs all of their latest achievement. Or even have a postgraduateforum, discord server or weekly zoom coffee break. I am just brainstorming ideas because the forum needs to retain more users and that will require some new ideas.

I am sorry for the long post and negative tone and I hope other people can offer feedback.

Hi Lauren,

Thanks for asking for our feedback and I think the forum looks far more modern. Although the forum feels half finished to me and I have some suggestions;

1) There are too many subforums. There used to be like 5-15 new threads per week which isn't enough for 9 individual subforums. It makes the site look empty and people will not check all 9 subfoums. I think there should 2 or 3 subforums max but preferably one, so that it looks busier. For example having sections for; funding, applications and choosing a masters is redundant, they could be combined into one, it is the same for PhDs. Or if you want top keep the subforums, have an option to see all of the threads together. Or add new subfoums like for example; PhD moans, postdoc advice or news, so that regular users have a reason to check more than 2 subforums and interact.

2) If the subforums are kept, can the PhD section be above the masters section, as the PhD section is more popular.

3) Thread status on the homepage should also display time and date beside the latest post title. As at the minute I have to click on the thread and open it to see if there is a new post, which is really jarring. Showing the time of the last post without having to enter the subforum or thread would therefore be so so so useful. This is like the most important change you could make if all the subforums are kept, so that the occasional visitor can see whats happening. You could also add more info about the thread like #replies, # views or have it appear as a different colour if I have read it.

4) Post preview - The old forum would show you the first line of text on of the first post before you entered the thread, just underneath the title. This is super useful as some people write awful titles. Though I may be miss remembering the forum already.

5) Colour - I personally don't mind the colours themselves but the page needs variety. All the buttons are one colour of purple that lacks depth and the overall site feels "flat". As at the minute the website is entirely white, black and purple . Changing the contrast of the background colour so that the posts stand out or a variety of colour tones for the buttons/logos would improve the readability and engagement.

6) Bigger text & header - I had to zoom in because the text density is rather low compared with all the white space. Maybe reduce the spacing or increase the text size. Having no side bar makes the site look empty and something needs to compensate for that.

7) Thread navigation - the thread navigation bar needs to be bigger or more distinct. You have to go looking for it and it is not obvious. I find myself navigating entirely via the homepage which is not ideal.

I am rereading my post and cringing at what I wrote. I don't what happened but the new layout made me remember the time when I first posted and how much I have changed since then.

I think the forum looks more empty now and needs fixed ASAP. If it doesn't change I might be following you Tudor_Queen :) Though I do have hope and its not like I have anything else to do with the lock down..... except maybe write my thesis.

Hi rasx,

Your structure looks sound. People will understand that you have only just started and not expect much data, so focus on the potential and people will be interested. I have seen presentations of just a literature review and so having any data is great. My trick is confidence and just go for it. Most people will just agree with what you say and not be super critical if you say it with confidence. So I would practise it a few times and get feedback from someone else.

Out of curiosity, is this conference online? All of the conferences I have signed up for have either been cancelled or moved online. So are you in a lucky country that is still allowing conferences?

I don't know if it is just me but I feel a sense of loss with the new forum layout. I am not criticising it and I think it is for the better but it feels weird. Through my PhD, every time I had an issue I would come here to get advice and get reassured and re-motivated to go forward. Several times I came very close to quitting and this forum helped me through those difficult times. The community here has helped me so much through my PhD; from the regular posters, long time lurkers and occasional random passerby. I have tried to repay the favour by continuing to post and give advice where necessary and I hope I helped at least one person. I don't know what would have happened if I didn't post here nearly three years ago but this layout change has made me consider all that. Through the old layout people told real stories with real people and many of us grew as people through the old layout. I understand that the community has changed through the years and the layout doesn't affect that but it feels different.

Though, don't get me wrong, I think this change is for the better. The website looks great and is actually functional on mobile now. With a few small functionality and layout tweaks this could be a massive step forward. However the old layout was static for so long it became part of the forum identity. In a sense the old layout died today and the forum has been refreshed, which is a good thing. I know the nostalgia will lessen but does anyone else feel the same as me? Or has anyone else reconsidered things or remembered old things because of the refresh?

I agree with Tudor_Queen, the new site looks good but we should be able to see if there has been a new post/reply without having to click on the individual sub-forum. It feels like the structure is trying to create 9-sub forums instead of one big one without the necessary user base.


Although I really do like this new look, the designer has done well. I think the new site needs some functionality/usability re-added but is this the right place to post this or will there be another thread or can we email someone?

Hi, I am doing an engineering PhD with a pre-defined project in the UK.

I think it would be unfair to expect all PhD students to develop good research projects. In my field in the UK, there is a general expectation that even if the project doesn't work you will have enough data for a PhD. Expecting a PhD student to create their own proposal even with academic support, will result in more bad projects and longer finishing times. Writing your own proposal is great if you have a great idea but I think you should consider what happens if the project goes wrong. The application process will become a trade off between research ability and a killer idea, with more people being accepted/rejected for the wrong reasons.
Also, experienced academics are more likely to write better project proposals that are of the right size, if you find out too late that the project is too small or too big, it can cause issues.

However, I do think it is fair for students to write a research proposal based on the project title & description. As part of my application I had to write a mini-research proposal based on the project description. Allegedly I was chosen based of that proposal alone but I have also been allowed to make the project my own. As within a fixed project PhD their is usually scope to allow the PhD student to develop the research by themselves. I think there can be a happy balance between fixed projects and student lead proposals.

Pre-COVID, I knew of someone who visited the campus for the first time in her third year. She had worked from home the entire time and only came to the campus for a student conference. So I would assume that you can work remotely and Zoom call your supervisor. However, it can vary a lot depending on the supervisor, university and the funding situation. I think you should apply as normal and ask at the first opportunity.

If you are asking if you need a Swiss address for the during the PhD, I have no idea.

I don't know about Swiss PhDs but in the UK PhD advertisements usually include nationality requirements. So if you look at the PhD opportunities they might tell you if your eligible. Generally, PhDs are open to all international candidates unless there is a restriction with the funding.

WOAW. That is a great interview story!

Well done on getting 3 papers out of your Masters project! That is really impressive and far better than some PhD students.

I understand why you want to upgrade to a PhD but you will need to talk with your university. I know my university has a system for Masters students to upgrade to a PhD mid way through if they so wish. Although it requires you to spend a certain amount of time as a PhD student (12 or 18 months I think) and have funding in place. Your postgraduate team/office will be your best place of advice and they can tell you about any possible processes

Secondly, that is a huge Masters thesis. It is probably big enough for a PhD but without PhD level scrutiny. If you are unscrupulous, I would remove two chapters and include them in a possible PhD thesis. One journal paper is probably good enough for a Masters thesis and makes a possible future PhD easier.

I agree with Tudor_Queen and pm133, two masters and a PhD will supersede any degree. If you don't want to talk about the third you don't have to put it on your CV. Just leave the grade of your CV and let them assume. It is similar to how no-one asks about secondary school grades after a stage, your undergrad degree doesn't matter as much after a PhD. So I would just avoid telling employers about the third.

Also, I don't think you can change your degree result without resitting the entire degree. You could possibly get a reference from your supervisor saying that they thought the results was unfair and attach it to your CV as a supporting document.

Hi chinnu,

That sounds like an awful situation with your supervisor. He should not be bullying be you or your lab mates like that. If you could move to another lab/university without severely impact your studies, I would highly recommend it. Although finishing your PhD should be your main objective and if you think you can get enough data to finish on time, I would consider staying. You can always publish your work near the end or after you submit your thesis so that your supervisor has less influence. Focusing on finishing and less on publications/office politics could allow you to finish fast and be done with your supervisor that way.