Well thank you everyone for your replies. I think you're right Ruby and Lim, I don't want to spread myself to thinly and be taken away from the core work. But on the other hand, I have been feeling the same way as Missspacey... oh what a dilemma. I guess I feel quite isolated within my department because bizarrely I am the only one studying within an arts/social science subject area (the rest are science). I'll try to stop worrying and consider publishing around my subject but not my PhD.

Thanks for the advice,

Hannah :-)

Hi Everyone,

I am in the final year of my PhD in an Arts/Social science-y subject area. I was wondering how many publications people have achieved by this stage of their PhD? My supervisor advised that I should wait to publish anything relating to my research as I don't have full results yet. I think this is a major mistake (but maybe I'm wrong?!). I am now applying for Postdoc Fellowships and have no publications to speak of - eek! I shouldn't have listened to my sup. right?

Any thoughts much appreciated,

A worrying PhDer :-(

Thanks for the advice guys. I will get on it then...scope out the universities and departments!

Hi Everyone,

Wanting some advice and wondering if anyone can help?

I've got 14 months left until I have to submit my thesis which seems like ages away but I know it'll come round really quickly! Anyway, in trying to be pro-active I have been considering career options and think I would like to pursue a career in academia. I think the best way to get into my subject area (and what I would prefer to do) is to do a postdoc. I just wondered when I should start applying? Or making contact with perspective universities? I think I will also have to seek out funding as my subject is quite specialist (I have never seen a lectureship or fellowship advertised for it!).

Any thoughts peeps? Thanks, Hannah

Oh thanks Rosy. Well good luck to you too...analysis is such fun!

Thanks Rosy,

Yes, have been on an induction to NVivo but found myself wondering how I could relate all these codes and 'themes' back to my research theories? I have read Carl Auerbach's book on manual coding and there seems to be a more obvious link to the themes and constructs using his apporach. I have a feeling I may end up using the NVivo model function for my research though.

As a matter of interest, are you analysing interview data? and if so, do you have many transcriptions? I think I'll have about 15 in total so not a huge amount hence the thought behind manual analysis, and the Auerbach book!

Hi again everyone,

Was just after some advice really.. Has anyone used NVivo to analyse interview data? I have been told by some academics that NVivo is the way to go and others insist that manual analysis is best?! Tried reading a few articles but no more decided. Any thoughts on this? Has anyone used the program before?

Thanks

Thanks for bringing up the topic of 'office politics' Pineapple. I'm in an office of PhDers and 'research assistants'. In total there are 14 people in this small space and so I find it incredibly difficult to work at Uni. How many people should you have in your office? 14 seems a little too many?!

Thanks Olivia,

It's such a stressful time, as I am now trying to write my 'transfer to phd' document!

I still have no news from my funders but they said it looked hopefully. As before, I'll keep you updated

Hi handy,

Bizarre but I posted a similar message about the situation I'm in. Like you, I have been at my University studying for this PhD for a year and a term. It's a really difficult decision, to know whether the grass is greener or not! It's also the issue of offending supervisors and university staff but I think we have to go with our gut feelings. I am waiting to hear back from my funders to see if they will support this move.

Let us know how you get on.

Thanks guys. It's such a difficult situation.. I feel really anxious that i'm not getting the most from my PhD. I have no teaching opportunities either which I feel is important and part of the reason behind wanting to move. I can't imagine my research council would let me transfer at this stage, and I'm sure the funding would stop if I did.

I'm going to look into it so will let you know how it turns out!

I appreciate all your comments though

I have just started the second year of my PhD and am having real doubts about my chosen University. I am finding that my department doesn't have the facilities or academics to support me. I am funded by a research council and wondered if anyone had ever transferred from their original university to a new one during their second year? Would it be looked on unfavourably? Should I just get on with it at my current Uni? Help...any help/ guidance would be much appreciated! Thanks