DWLresearch

Last week's Thesis Forum on the probation review was a great success. We had a full house to hear Katie Bridger, Megan de Ste Croix and Deirdre O’Sullivan share their advice and experience.   The recording of the forum is now available to watch online: https://connect.le.ac.uk/p1o9d2igwu7/ Katie Bridger (2nd year PhD History) emphasised that there was no need panic, as long as you were prepared. Understand exactly what your department wants from you and plan accordingly. Katie showed us how she structured the repor t, and how to compile the information that went into it.  Megan de Ste Croix ( 3rd Year PhD Genetics) recommended booking your panel early, in case they get too busy. Bring your own copy of the report : i f the panel make useful comments you c an write them next to the relevant section. Focus on the literature review and have a detailed methods section. Deirdre O’Sullivan (Lecturer i n Archaeology) gave us the perspective ...

The next Thesis Forum - Passing the Probation Review will be streamed live as a webinar on Tuesday 17 November, 14:00 to 16:00 GMT. This will allow you to see and hear the speakers, and follow the questions. There will be a chat box that will be monitored by a member of staff. You can use the chat box to ask questions to the speakers.   *WEBINAR INSTRUCTIONS* The webinar will use Adobe Connect. You will not need any specific software, however, you will need speakers or a headset to hear the webinar, and you can participate in discussion by typed chat. Adobe Connect works fine on Windows and Macs, and any browser. Use with a Linux computer may be possible, but is not recommended due to uncertain results. For best results, follow these steps: 1)      Make sure any required equipment is physically plugged into your computer first, then launch your browser and go to: https://connect.le.ac.uk/thesisforum17nov/ 2) Select Enter as Guest, type yo...

Do you have a probation review coming up this year? Then come along to the Thesis Forum at 2pm, Tuesday 17 November in the Library Seminar Room. The theme this term is 'Passing Your Probation Review'.  Our speakers will give short presentations that demystify the process. We will have two talks giving a student perspective from Megan de Ste Croix (Genetics) and Katie Bridger (History). Deirdre O’Sullivan (Archaeology) will discuss reviews from the academic point of view. There will be plenty of time for questions and refreshments. Past Forums have been very friendly, and are a great way to meet new people from a variety of disciplines.   No booking is required, just turn up on the d ay. If you can't make it in person, the talks will be broadcast live as a webinar at: https://connect.le.ac.uk/thesisforum17nov/  * UPDATE *   If you are joining the webi nar, login as a 'guest' - you don't need a username and password. A recording of the for...

Over the last two weeks we've been at all the College inductions for new PhD students. Here's some of the top tips shared by current PhD students and supervisors at those events: Surviving and making the most of your first year Concentrate on finding a good research question - your initial research question may change over time. Investigate and make use of training opportunities available (though don't go to things just to tick boxes). Go on Word for Long Documents training . Use reference management/bibliographic software . You have lots of flexibility, but this can be daunting so set mini goals and plan your time. Things will and do go wrong with your research - don't panic! While you are waiting for things to happen use the time for other tasks e.g. training or reading. it is your project and research - show initiative and make plans for where you want to take the research. Talk to lots of people from different departments. Make use of opportunities avai...