I think you just have to think about it differently. Less 'politics' and more 'strategy' - making sure you suck up to the right people so you don't get lumbered with excessive teaching hours, networking well to create good research relationships, bypassing certain people when making decisions because they are usually awkward, or going for a drink with the HoD to butter him/her up a bit for something you want to get passed through the uni processes - this isn't necessary 'politics', just a strategic career management approach 8-)

I've done MANOVAs and done tables, which have Mean and SD for each group, then F value (starred for significance) and then the effect size. So it is an APA table that has

Penguins.........Polar Bears.........
M......SD..........M........SD.........F..........Partial eta2

erm,

if you want to see whether liking justin bieber predicts idiocy, after controlling for age?

I'm an ISTJ, but then don't forget that academia appeals to people who love showing off and presenting in front of lots of people/teaching at every opportunity. I know a lot of extroverts in my discipline.

yes it is very political, but you can always opt out of the politics and just mosy along. However, if you want to push to the top or at least be reasonably successful in any job, then you will have to negotiate the politics.

Isn't birkbeck mostly part time courses? as such the lecturers are probably used to students working highly independently. If you can prove that he emailed them repeatedly with no response, then you could appeal the fees and just ask to re-take exams/or appeal the final marks.

I have to be honest, I never did get my head around when to use that or which. My sup doesn't like it when you use which without a comma in front of it, which I learned the hard way ;-)

well I was told that I shouldn't use whilst, but while instead. So I've gone through my entire thesis and changed to 'whilst' just because I get stubborn lol. Oh well - it will be a 'find and replace' job if it comes up in the viva.

ooh that would really annoy me Slizor - I hope you correct her dates as well (e.g. April 3rd - April THE 3rd!!!).

hmm, as my sup is not available I will be going with my version and see if my examiners care ;-)

I've read in a few places you should use first, second third rather than firstly, secondly thirdly.

I like the latter, but should I change?

will the survey ask me for my DOB, mother's maiden name and card number? :p

Sorry you didn't get it. In my experience employers rarely want to know the details of PhDs - they want to know they won't be having to support you through the process. Best to keep it vague and highlight how well you can balance your studies with work etc. Problem is, in this market, jobs that used to go to PhD students are now going to postdocs with 4 years experience

hofestede power index? is that the kind of thing you mean?

Also, when you come to publish, a reference manager is amazing, because when Mr. hoity toity journal (that wanted APA referencing style) rejects you, and you want to send it to Mr. a little less hoity toity journal (that wants harvard referencing), then it literally is a click of a button.

Have we sold it to you yet? :p