DanB - I'm old and jaded too. Thats why my advice is the opposite - its the fear of repercussion that keeps women quiet, and quite frankly why people think they can get away with things like this. Its even harder for men under this sort of pressure to come forward because they are meant to take it all in their stride (and find it funny).
I'm not suggesting Elizabeth must go through a formal system of complaint, there are many ways to deal with this problem. However, I have been in her situation in previous jobs,(once made the complaint, once not) and I have also been in the position of managing staff and writing policy around sexual harassment and having to enforce it. Its important that we move forward by challenging this sort of beheviour not just letting people get away with it until we are the senior member of staff.

Letting senior members of staff behave this way could ruin her phd, could ruin her confidence, could ruin her desire to work in academia at all.

Its not just Elizabeths responsibility to address this - its the responsibility of all of us to change things.
Would you tell a black colleague to keep quiet about racial slurs or discrimination?
Something like this will not stop you getting a job in the future, any more than the rumours already being spread. (I stayed in the same sector in the same area where I made the complaint and have successfully got jobs since) Most people hate this sort of behaviour, its fear that we're in the minority that keeps us quiet - don't rock the boat. The boat needs rocking on behalf of people like Elizabeth. We are not the minority, Dan himself said that this behaviour is out of order. RIght.

Please don't take keep quiet. If you see this sort of thing happening be supportive of your colleagues. You have no idea how demoralising it can be to think you are alone in something like this.

Elizabeth - i am not trying to make you the martyr to the cause. You need to handle it in a way that feels comfortable for you and makes sense of your relationships within the department. I am just loath to leave a comment like DanB's hanging.

It just is not true that you will not get a job in academia if you make a complaint like this. It needs saying for the sake of others on the site.

Hi Elizabeth,

First off, this guy is totally out of order and you shouldn't have to put up with anything like this in a place of work. I am going to PM you about this, but felt it should be said publically that this sort of behaviour in the work place counts as sexual harrassment.
Its not right that anyone should feel uncomfortable or be pressured in this way, regardless of age, gender or seniority of the other parties involved.
it may sound overly dramatic to some people to use the terms 'sexual harrassment' but I think we need to be clear- these sorts of rumours and bad mouthing and unwanted advances can ruin peoples work and their lives. It should always be stopped at the very beginning, and I would like to encourage my peers on this sight to support their colleagues that they see being treated in this way: help them, pay attention to what is going on -don't spread gossip. Don't just go along with the inappropriate comments made about your colleagues private lives, looks etc. Be a good colleague, foster a collegiate atmosphere where everyone can feel comfortable to pursue their research, where everyone feels respected for the work they do and the other aspects of their lives don't matter.

Cobweb.

Hiya,

Golden-Biddle and Locke, yes.
Also, if reliability is a problem, and all translation is subjective, could you have someone else translate from greek to english for you so you have a comparative translation to yours to show you haven't misrepresented the greek? It would have to be someone uninterested in your project but it might just give substance to your transcripts.

just a thought.

Cobweb

Hiya,

I think as long as your friend gets that a PhD is just as much work as a job, and it won't be like an undergrad degree then he should be fine. Having said that, he needs to know what he wants to research -in the humanities it is hard to find large projects that you can take part in, and if he is going to apply he needs to be able to clearly show the interest and need for his research.
But he prob knows this if he has looked at any application forms at all.
Maybe you could sit down with him and look at them.


Re funding - I can tell you what I know from experience
The AHRC doctoral funding is incredibly competitive. It is done in two ways- Block Grant Partnerships with Universities; and individual DOctoral Scholarships (also applied for through your institution).
In the case of the former, the university has already been allocated its awards and then decides internally who will get them, Bigger universities have more awards available. But they may have already decided not to give one to your subject so you have to really prove your worth and have the backing of your supervisor becuase the reference forms are killer.

In the case of the individual doctoral scholarships these are, in effect, whatever money the AHRC has left over. Thanks to the economic climate, in 2008/9 they gave out somewhere near 1000, in 2010 they gave about 250 across the whole of Arts and Humanities in the country. You can only apply if your university does not have a block grant scheme. For example, they gave 1 in Philosophy in the country, 2 to religious studies...........as you can imagine, the competition is fierce (or 'a shot in the dark') and the application process is much longer and harder than applying for the PhD itself. I know because I had to do it last year.
The reference forms are also long, and must be two academic references with entire transcripts from previous study.They are very specific and want particular information and it all has to fit on one side of A4, 11 point Ariel, single spaced.
You also have to submit through your institution- they must prove that not only do they believe in you, but also that they are the best place for you to do that particular research.

Blimey, aren't I the prophet of doom?
I don't mean to be, but if his PhD plans are based on getting a scholarship then he needs to make himself look brilliant, and really be invested in getting that money. These forms are not things you can knock off in an evening. He needs to really want to do the work, or be good at fooling people into thinking so.
More than that, i do know that the deadlines for the large funding bodies are May, but most institutions deadlines are Feb, so that they can get all the gubbins together and make sure you have refs. You cannot aapply for the funding without the institustion so he needs to get a wriggle on.
The AHRC, ESRC, scholarships seem to be the best around £12,000-ish plus fees paid - but compared to a fulltime salary it is hardly an easy ride.

Tell him to have a look around on findaphd.com its not great but it might give him an idea of what is around and how much money is floating about.

If he's excited about doing it, then be excited too, its a great thing to do and if he has the passion then it could be really great for him.
hope the info on funding doesn't put him off, but its better to be realistic.

Cobweb

Wow, cornflower, I feel for you. Getting your head straight right now must be so difficult.

don't be too hard on yourself, sometimes life gets in the way of research. Take your time and may be take some time off (not permanent, just a week or so) but something that means you can go and find some of your friends or family and chat, shout, cry, get angry, what ever you need to then come back with full attention.
Better to take a little break than let it get worse and worse.
I don't know what advice to give, only I do know this to be true - Colleges are used to PhD students with life issues that get in the way and need supporting. This is not undergrad land, most PhD's are mature students with families, partners, children, parents - all of whom demand time by getting ill, losing jobs, needing looking after. SO make sure you demand what ever it is you need to get yourself supported and back on track. They want you to succeed, you just have to find the person at the college that can help you out. But it is their job to help you, to support you (thats how they get the QAA Audit marks they want).


I really wish you all the best and hope that things become clearer with time.
I hope your college support you, and the housing situation becomes pleasant and fun in the end.


Cobweb

Thanks for all the replies.
Its odd isn't it, that all the advice was thoroughly straightforward but it just helps to hear people saying things outside of your own head.
bilbobaggins is probably right and I probably need to take a little break. And I do need to think 'i can start anytime' rather than getting in a tiz and flapping about.
Rebs - I too work with a foreign language and in the summer translation was my default work state for when methodology wasn't getting me anywhere. I should go back to that. As my ancient languages tutor once said 'if in doubt - parse!' Its kind of like eating your vegetables isn't it, it will never do you any harm even if it isn't very interesting.
Tomorrow I will set myself some basic targets and not worry about what I didn't do today.
I wrote on someone else's thread the other day that they should take care not to compare their inside worries to everyone elses outside presentation - I need to take my own advice and pay no attention to the image in my head of everyone else I know churning out thousands of words a day!!


Thanks my dears.

Hiya,

Just wondering how other people cope with unproductive days/periods?
I had a great week last week and felt like I knew where I was going for the first time in ages, and then this week has been rubbish. I've just found it hard to get going and do the work my supervisor and I planned. TOday was such a bust, that I gave up and went for a drive.
My research is in humanities and I spend a great deal of time working alone - I think I find it difficult to not to just feel really rubbish about myself when I get nothing done.
How do other people deal with this stuff?

Cheers,
\i'm new to this forum but finding it really helpful.

Yes I have. All the time - I think it's part of the nature of doing a PhD.
but I got through the probationary review of my work, and the annual review, and the college have no interest in having a student fail, so when I'm really feeling crappy I trust in that.

You are four months in - give yourself some more time! Giving up at this point is bad advice, you probably haven't had time to write anything yet, or do anything substantial.
In my first six months I realised I needed to learn all about translation studies to be able to do part of my project, so the next two months was spent essentially 'catching up' on something new. Compared to some projects it seemed like I was way behind, but my supervisor was great and reminded me that this is a three year RESEARCH project - if you knew everything at the beginning, and had exciting results straight away then you wouldn't need to do it.

Also remember, people only show you the best of their stuff and you are comparing their external presentation to your internal worries. I think your 'colleague's sound a bit insecure. And I'm a bit angry that someone would put you down like that.
Other PhD students are not the best placed to comment on the validity of your work - trust your supervisors. There are checks in your course to make sure you're on track.


I'll say it again - Four months is not very long at all, give yourself time - your project will change over the year anyway.

Look over this forum, plenty of others feel insecure or like they aren't really able to do it. Emotions go up and down in this sort of job. If you're interested in your project then it is worth giving it the best attempt you can.

Keep going.

C

Hi,

I'm the opposite way round - in that I'm in college full time but my supervisor is on sabbatical writing a book.
I have taken to sending him mails that say 'next week I will send you some work -when will you be able to read it?'
Depending on when he thinks he'll have time to read it, I set a date for feedback. Sounds boring and pushy, but I got fed up of sending work and not knowing when I'd get it back.
When it takes ages to get feedback I start to panic that it is rubbish, so I took control for the sake of my mental health!

Cobweb

Thanks for all the information!
It really helps those of us who live in fear of the viva.

Well done!!!!!!!
you should be very proud and get yourself a big cake in to celebrate!

Cobweb

Hi Podge,

Glad it all went well and hope you get the place!

Cobweb

You should still need to put in an application and go through interview - this is because Universities have to adhere to equal opps policy and because a supervisor doesn't collect all the evidence needed to submit someone as a student.
They will want references and previous qualifications/ transcripts etc.

The application guidelines should be on the university website, and if the supervisor wants you then when the application comes in they should fight your corner or be able to give a statement saying that they think you're great.
I did my MA at the instituation I'm doing my PhD at so used my prospective supervisor as a reference.

Check the website so you don't miss any deadlines esp as there may be bursaries etc attached to the project that you can apply for.

Sorry you didn't get it.

Take a day off, eat some cake, then tomorrow try and remember why you wanted to do a PhD in the first place.
Do either of the other places offer you what you want out of a PhD experience? - remember this is only one stage of your career - it isn't the whole thing. Do some pro/con lists. Think about what you enjoy in research and what it would be like to do it for three years (no matter where you go - even big projects- won't be perfect and interesting the whole time).
And remember - you got two offers to do PhD's! most people in the country aren't good enough to get that, most people who do Masters level courses aren't good enough to get that.
Don't throw away your talent on one highly competitive project - highly competitive means that, it doesn't mean you aren't any good.

Cobweb

Hi Podge,

I am just over a year into my PhD with a supervisor who had never supervised a PhD before - in fact he has less experience in general than your propsective supervisor. In many colleges now having a main supervisor and a second supervisor is becoming the norm - particularly when the main supervisor has little experience. He should be being mentored by someone else anyway, if you're his first PhD student. Its part of the professional development that colleges all have to do now.

I have a main supervisor, and a second - She is very experienced and is there as oversight for both him and me -my subject is not her specialism but she's in the same general area and has got quite a few people through PhD's. On top of that, as part of my research involves qualitative research which is outside my main supervisors experience, I requested a special advisor for that part of my project and got one! Sounds complicated but I wanted to make sure I had the support I needed.

You need to keep in mind that this is your career, your three/four years work and your money - you are within your rights to demand what you think you need to get the best out of this experience- and to end up with a PhD!

If you go for an interview and you really like the research you'll be doing, and the environment you'll be doing it in then don't be put off - rather get a bit assertive. At interview (where there should be more than one person) ask about his experience and ask what structures they have to make sure you aren't going off track. Ask how the PhD is monitored.
The interview is a chance for you to work out if you fit as well.

Good supervision is about a number of things, some of the most experienced people are not great supervisors- they are too busy and you are only one of their many students. You may get more support from this guy because he's new.
I don't know when your interview is, but take a chance to read some of his work and to look at the nature of it to see if his type of work meshes with yours. The lack of publications could be because of the type of research he's been doing - if its long term then he can't publish until results are properly in. It is more important that he really understands what you want to do, and is excited about it - also if you feel at ease with him you will be able to demand attention from him when you need it.

I guess mainly my advice is- think about what you want, what help you think you will need and find out if they can offer it. Its better to find the right place to study, than to go for the place in front of you and find out in half way through that they can't offer you what you need to finish.

Good luck with the interview,

Charlotte