Hi,

The AHRC is under immense pressure from the Treasury to justify the level of funding it receives during this time of difficulty for the public purse. They are therefore simply asking you to tell them how you think the research you will be undertaking, with their financial support, will benefit the British economy, society and culture (which is funding you via their taxes!). Take a look at the AHRC Impact Assessment website, it should give you some ideas of what to include: http://www.ahrc.ac.uk/FundedResearch/Pages/ImpactAssessment.aspx

Good luck!

How not to write a PhD thesis!

http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=26&storycode=410208&c=1

Remember that a lot of institutions allow their academic staff to top-up their salaries by performing consultancy/commercial work for external organisations. This can range from £500-£1250 per day depending on your reputation and the type of partner you are working for. Most institutions allow you to undertake between 20-30 days of this activity per year. Depending on your field, you can also earn royalties from patents that have been sold to industry, sales of books etc.

I had the same problem a few months ago. A random cat kept using the cat flap to let itself in and bully our cat, which admittedly is a bit of wuss for allowing it, but I guess that's what you getting for cutting its balls off. Anyway, whenever I found it lurking about the house it seemed in no hurry to leave - shouting certainly had no effect. I found that a sprayer, like the kind of thing used for kitchen/bathroom cleaners etc, filled with water had a good effect. There's nothing much you neighbour can do about it, as cats are completely uncontrollable and its cruel to keep them locked up all day. I've no idea what mine gets up to when it goes out.

Can I have some stars please. The people in McDonald's won't give me any.

I think you should magic up some sort of indicator to show how many posts a person has submitted. Perhaps those who post often could be given a gold star or a BBQ sausage.

An online/offline indicator may prove useful to those who like to see that they are, in fact, online.

Perhaps people could be allowed to have those annoying footers, such as "There's nothing wrong with my spelling, it's my typing that sucks" etc, which incidentally is no excuse. I've never heard anyone blame their handwriting for poor spelling and grammar. Innit.

Lastly, I think you should have a supervisors forum which is not accessible to students.

I'll keep an eye on this thread. If you need any further help just shout.

Hi 404,

It does sound like you need a confidentiality agreement. I don’t think that your technology transfer / IP office would be interested in this as they will mainly be concerned with protecting academic IP against commercial exploitation, i.e. applying for patents and licensing these out. You should seek advice from the administrative department within your university which deals with postgraduate support. They should be able to provide you with a contract without much difficulty. If you have trouble getting hold of anyone let me know and I can provide some model contracts that will just need to have certain details amended.

Stu, grammatically speaking that would make you a w****r:
n. Chiefly British Vulgar Slang.
1. A person who masturbates.
2. A detestable person, usu. a man: jerk

Yes, I agree with Stu. I can't believe the findaphd team would actually take the time to monitor what is posted here and try to keep the forum friendly! I mean, what are they thinking... some people! I really can't abide intelligent debate where people can put forward completely differing points of view without being personally insulted for it. People who post with opinions different to my own should just be deleted from the forum, and then we can have posts of unanimity!

Seriously, I think there is a difference between personally not agreeing with someone else's point of view in the context of a debate, such as the one on this post, and then being plain insulting. I may or may not agree with animal testing, but I respect the right of others to have a different belief to my own, and to defend that belief. I do not have the right to just plain insult people because they have a different viewpoint. I believe that is the difference between the posts that have been deleted and the posts that have remained.

Anyway, I look forward to joining you in your new forum, may I suggest www.haveatantrum.com

I wish, but I'm afraid I have a much better taste in music!

Dange, I like that! Who said anything about having a licence!?!

Some say it is because 'danger' is my middle name (mainly me), others because for some strange reason they believe that I look like Penfield from Danger-Mouse rather than Maverick from Top Gun, and some because, unlike the Stig, my driving style has led to a few small ‘bumps’.

9 and a child genius

People tell me I look a bit like Tom Cruise from Top Gun...