I did my Masters at a Russell Group University and I have a number of friends from my Masters who are doing their PhD there who regularly teach. It may be dependent on the course/department, but I can think of at least 4 or 5 people who I know who teach as part of their PhD. They are restricted as to how many hours they are allowed to do. But it is definitely not the case that Russell Group universities do not allow PhD students to teach. It may be worth enquiring with the university/department that it is you are interested in undertaking the PhD with.

I've recently started a PhD at another institution (not Russell Group!) and whilst my contract states that I am allowed to teach up to 6 hours a week as a full-time PhD student, my supervisor is extremely resistant. I can understand that at this point I am very early in my research, but if he still is against it in my 2nd or 3rd year then I will be extremely disappointed and frustrated as -- just as others have mentioned -- it is hard to secure an academic position thereafter.

Thanks, I've sent you a PM Patseya!

Thanks for trying Pootle!

I've sent you a PM. It didn't seem to work.. :(

Happy Sunday Everyone!

Can anyone help with getting hold of this article:

Foster, L. and Woodthorpe, K. (2013) 'What cost the price of a good send off? The challenges for British state funeral policy', Journal of Poverty and Social Justice, Volume 21, Number 1, pp. 77-89 (13).

Thank you!

I know that feeling of panic. I've had that this week. I am not yet at the stage of recruiting. But I realised that due to the sensitive nature of the research and the people I want to interview/speak to/observe may very well not want to take part. I have done research projects in the past as a students and professionally. But I appreciate that sometimes, it just is not as straight forward as others might think. I hope you can come up with some strategies to combat difficulties. I am doing that at the moment. And I am also drawing up a Plan B and a Plan C in case I cannot get the numbers I want to help ensure I have enough data.

I just completed the questionnaire and wanted to point out that it might be helpful to consider that whilst someone may not have a current diagnosis, they may have historically suffered from and been previously diagnosed with a form of anxiety. As I have myself, but there was no option to indicate this.

It was a great survey though and I have a personal interest in anxiety and how it is professionally understood (because I have found it difficult to get any treatment that made a difference to me). So I hope it goes well and I bet the findings will make for interesting reading!

Completed! It was very interesting too!

Completed!

I took part. I appreciate that it can be difficult to ask questions applicable to all. And it seems you are aware and will discuss this in your write up which is great. Very interesting! I bet the results will be fascinating!

Hi All,

I know you said that timing yourself won't work for you. But I have tried the Pomodoro Technique and find it really useful.

You basically set a timer and work and focus on one task (say for instance writing up) for 25 minutes. At the end of that you have a 5 minute break. You repeat this and every 4 blocks of work you do you have a slightly longer break (15-20 minutes). I'm surprised how much I can get done when I focus in 25 minutes. If anything distracts me in this time I have a notepad near me and I make a quick note and know that I have designated time I can deal with it later (e.g. call the electric company). I've also got a button for my internet browser Chrome that blocks distracting sites and acts as a timer at the same time. If I try and go on Facebook or Twitter it tells me to get back to work!

Also, another thing I heard was that a novelist used to make himself write by sitting down for say 3 hours and give himself two rules:

1) You don't have to write anything,

2) You can't do anything else.

I also agree that trying to reignite your passion for what made you interested in the first place is good.

I also totally agree that you have to be hard with yourself. Head down! You'll make up excuses for yourself all the way along, but you have to take responsibility, tell yourself that it isn't easy but you're up to the challenge, and force yourself to change your habits and get on with it.

All the advice and techniques in the world won't help if you don't force yourself to make a concerted effort!

I really hope that didn't seem mean! I'm half telling myself the same thing! Ha! And I really hope you manage to crack it and get into the flow!

Thanks eading! You are a star!

Happy Monday All..

Any help with obtaining this article would be greatly appreciated!

Elo, I. T. (2009) 'Social Class Differentials in Health and Mortality: Patterns and Explanations in Comparative Perspective', Annual Review of Sociology, Vol. 35: pp. 553-572.

URL:

Just tried, no luck!

It sounds like you've had one hell of a year. I know from experience how difficult it can be to function 100% normally whilst taking medication for anxiety. So I definitely feel your predicament, but to then have a nasty physical injury on top of that too! I agree that you aren't ever going to be able to guarantee 100% functioning and she can't expect that either. Life is complicated and not always straightforward. At this stage of your life and academic career it is not as black and white as being a 19 year-old undergrad, and she should appreciate that. Especially since there are so many people around you who recognise that you are working extremely hard.

You need pastoral support. And just think, what have you got to lose by approaching others in the university and asking for help? You need some support and the if your industrial sponsors can see that you are well and hard the university won't want them to be seen in a bad light by them because the student is run into the ground and quits. By the sound of it, that isn't what your supervisor wants either.

It may feel awkward, but it will be worth it in the long run. I hope you can get some support and make it a New Year's resolution to tackle it head on! And in the mean time, take a break, it sounds like you need it.

Hi Evak,

I really feel for you because you sound like you are committed and work hard. But I agree that 8 hours a day no more is right. You need work/life balance, otherwise you will make yourself ill. It sounds like it is coming to ahead for you and I think the worst outcome would be that her over zealous behaviour drives you away from something that is seems you would be otherwise be doing very well.

You definitely need to speak to your second supervisor and someone in a pastoral role like a postgraduate tutor (as its known at my university). I'm sure they would agree that you are not being unreasonable in wanting to take control of YOUR PhD. There will be plenty of people at your university who will be willing to help you resolve the situation for your well-being and get you back on the right track.

I really hope you manage to get sorted. And please do take it easy over Christmas and New Year! Sounds like you need it!

Let us know how you get on.