Hi all

Ages ago my supervisor asked me to write an article with her, on a topic related to my thesis but not based on my research, and one which I know about and love.

I'm really in two minds about this - I'm writing up, am way behind schedule, am supposed to submit in 4 months but will need an extension. All I want to do (sort of!) at the moment is write the thing. But at the same time I'd love to write this article and hate to think I'm missing out on writing it if I don't do it.

I was wondering though, how much co-writing this article will help me. By the time I'll have finished my thesis, I'll have four publications - a single authored, a first authored, and two others with people which are on areas related to my thesis but not my research.

Should I grab every opportunity and co-author this publication, even though it's not on my research? Or should I concentrate on my thesis and just get it done? I'm also not really expecting to stay in academia once I've done the PhD, even though I'd love to - there's just no jobs, so maybe don't need this publication just to add to my cv. But I do love the subject matter - not to mention it's an easier way to get published, being a second author.

Thoughts? Thanks heaps.

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If it was me I'd focus on the writing up and pass the article. It sounds as though you have plenty already, and you don't plan to stay in academia anyway.

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If you don't expect to go into academia (sadly neither do I, the jobs just aren't there, but I will try) couldn't you look at this as a final opportunity to write up something with your supervisor before you move-on? If it only added a bit or so on to your schedule as a second author (being able to take a bit of aback seat) then might it be worth it? Of course you might be wanting to publish things as an independent scholar in the future....

I was able to recently write something for my supervisors forthcoming edited collected book which was a nice project to bring my thesis to the (almost!!!) final close which felt nice - though luckily I am able to use this as a chapter in my thesis which I am writing now.

Thanks Bilbo - that's very sensible advice. And I agree, but then think that maybe if I did this article, it might help me get a job as a researcher in my area, which I'd love, just that in the year that I've been keeping my eye on the job market, haven't seen anything in my area. My field is so niche...

The article would probably take me about 3 weeks to write, then a lot of toing and froing with my sup...and it would mean I've completely missed my goals of what I wanted to achieve by the end of the year!!

...ahh, I hate having options!;-)

Hi again Bilbo and Chrisrolinski

I've decided to write this article after all. It should only take 3 weeks, and what's another few weeks in the scheme of things? Have decided that since there's only (!) 6 months to go for me, and I may never study again after this (wishful thinking!!?!) that I should make the most of opportunities. So, have said yes to doing an article and also agreed to present another seminar.

Must remind myself of this when I start to complain about my workload and being behind! Thanks for yor replies.

Good luck with it! Whatever you decide is fair enough, and your reasoning sounds fine.

good luck :)