The PhD Life Raft Podcast

Dr Emma Brodzinski
  • 5.0 (8)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
The PhD Life Raft Podcast

This is the podcast for you if you are currently doing a PhD; are working with PhD students; or just living with someone who is on a PhD journey. The PhD Life Raft will focus on sharing insights and experiences around some common issues like anxiety, procrastination, precariousness, imposter syndrome, and work-life balance. We will talk to students, supervisors and experts in the field of wellbeing and mental health and share actionable tips and additional resources. Doing a PhD is tough. The PhD Life Raft is here to help you get through.

  1. MAY 13

    On Being a First Generation PhD Scholar with Nicole Patrie

    Nicole Patrie is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Public Safety and Justice Studies at MacEwan University, and a PhD student in the Faculty of Education at the University of Alberta, specializing in Adult Education. Nicole has been involved in prison education at all levels: as a teacher, administrator, and now researcher, for over 15 years. Her research focus is on the role of education and learning in the criminal justice system.    In this episode Nicole shares her own journey as a first generation PhD scholar.   We talk about a range of challenges from practical resources to self-confidence.     We discuss hidden support systems and the importance of accessing the help you need.  Nicole encourages us all to ‘pay it forward’.   Nicole ends with an encouraging mantra that every PhD researcher needs to remember!   Contact details: website, email, social media https://nicolepatrie.weebly.com/ patrien2@macewan.ca @nicolepatrie.bsky.social  @patrie_nicole (twitter)   For a transcript of this episode go to www.thephdliferaft.com If you would like to receive a useful weekly email from the PhD Life Raft you can sign up here for ‘Notes from the Life Raft’: https://mailchi.mp/f2dce91955c6/notes-from-the-life-raft

    22 min

  2. MAY 6

    Navigating US PhD Programmes as an International Scholar with Vicky Laina

    Vicky Laina is a learning scientist with a focus on educational technologies in mathematics teaching and learning. She designs and studies learning experiences where the use of technology can support epistemic transparency and collaborative thinking amongst youth, with the goal of helping students reimagine what doing mathematics can look and feel like. Vicky has lived, worked and studied in 5 different countries and is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the Johannes Kepler University in Linz, Austria.     In this episode we explore the challenges and benefits of being an international PhD student.   Vicky shares tips about the application process and funding options.   She also opens up about the logistical problems of international study and how she navigated them.   We reflect on the cultural differences that may impact on your work but also on how the experience of studying abroad can enrich your journey.   You can make contact with Vicky here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vasilikilaina/   For a transcript of this episode go to www.thephdliferaft.com If you would like to receive a useful weekly email from the PhD Life Raft you can sign up here for ‘Notes from the Life Raft’: https://mailchi.mp/f2dce91955c6/notes-from-the-life-raft

    25 min

  3. APR 29

    Managing Your Supervisor with Gina Holmes

    Gina Holmes has worked both in industry and academia - with over two decades of experience in Higher Education.  As well as her own research experience  she has worked with dozens of doctoral candidates and hundreds (maybe more) of Master’s students, supporting them to complete theses they are proud of and which enable them to move on in their career.     In this episode we discuss the relationship between the PhD researcher and the supervisor/supervisory team.   We explore the issues that may arise and how you might navigate them in a way that supports both your research process and your own mental health.   Gina shares advice about managing supervision meetings as well as inviting reflection on how the relationship between researcher and supervisor may evolve during the PhD journey.   You can find out more about Gina and her work at www.drginaholmes.com Follow Gina on facebook or LinkedIn:  www.facebook.com/drginaholmes  and www.linkedin.com/in/drginaholmes       For a transcript of this episode go to www.thephdliferaft.com If you would like to receive a useful weekly email from the PhD Life Raft you can sign up here for ‘Notes from the Life Raft’: https://mailchi.mp/f2dce91955c6/notes-from-the-life-raft

    37 min

  4. APR 22

    PhDs and Substack with Wafaa Aldhfairi

    Wafaa Aldhfairi is a PhD candidate at UNMC, specializing in pharmaceutical sciences with a master's degree in the field. She's also the creator of the "Pharma Weekly Digest," a newsletter that shares the latest pharmaceutical news, making industry updates accessible to all.    In this episode we discuss the PhD journey, research and how substack can contribute!   Wafaa shares her experiences of how she has used substack both to inform and disseminate her PhD research.   We talk about the challenges of curating a newsletter alongside the PhD as well as the benefits of regular writing deadlines!   We open up into a consideration of how to contribute to the wider research conversation.   You can find Wafaa’s substack here:  https://pharmaweeklydigest.substack.com/   For a transcript of this episode go to www.thephdliferaft.com If you would like to receive a useful weekly email from the PhD Life Raft you can sign up here for ‘Notes from the Life Raft’: https://mailchi.mp/f2dce91955c6/notes-from-the-life-raft

    24 min

  5. APR 15

    For PhDs Who Are Thinking of Leaving Academia with Naomi Tyrell

    Naomi finished her PhD in 2006, worked part-time and then full-time in commercial research and then re-entered academia as a Research Fellow at University College Cork, Ireland. She gained permanency in 2010 at the University of Plymouth, UK, but then decided to leave academia (again!) and started her entrepreneurial journey in 2019. She now runs Research Your Way Ltd, which provides bespoke research, evaluation and impact services to social purpose organisations.    In this episode we explore ‘alt ac’ career paths for PhDs.   Naomi encourages PhD holders to consider their skills and experience beyond academia, and suggests why their value may be higher in other sectors.   She shares her personal journey and highlights some options for researchers who want to continue researching but work outside of a university setting.   We end with a top tip on career planning.   You can make contact with Naomi here:   naomityrrell@researchyourway.com Career Development Newsletter (subscribepage.io) https://www.facebook.com/groups/altaccareersuk/   For a transcript of this episode go to www.thephdliferaft.com If you would like to receive a useful weekly email from the PhD Life Raft you can sign up here for ‘Notes from the Life Raft’: https://mailchi.mp/f2dce91955c6/notes-from-the-life-raft

    25 min

  6. APR 8

    Optimizing Dissemination: Paving the Way for PhD Success with Amal Abuzeinab

    Amal Abuzeinab, PhD is an architect, advisor, and academic at De Montfort University (DMU), School of Art, Design, and Architecture (ADA). Prior to joining academia, Amal practiced both in Sudan and UK.Amal is the Institute Head of Research Students – Institute of Architecture. Her leadership is guided and informed by the principles and practices of flourishing human from Positive Psychology. Amal supervises and examines Postgraduate researchers (PGRs) since 2016 focusing on Architecture, Built Environment, and related disciplines. She served as the Co-Faculty Head of Research Students (FHRS) for the Faculty of Arts, Design, and Humanities between 2017-2020.    In this episode Amal shares advice about disseminating your PhD findings.   She offers a ‘laddered’ process which will help you to build your confidence in discussing your research.   We also discuss how being strategic about your dissemination can help you to prepare for a successful viva.   Amal finishes with a top tip from her perspective as a PhD examiner on how you can assure your examiners about the quality of your thesis.       Amal has created a range of toolkits to enhance competence of both PGRs and supervisors - here are the links to two of them:    Links to open toolkits:   7 principles for PhD completion.pdf (edgehill.ac.uk) Checklist to write for publications.pdf (edgehill.ac.uk) For a transcript of this episode go to www.thephdliferaft.com   If you would like to receive a useful weekly email from the PhD Life Raft you can sign up here for ‘Notes from the Life Raft’: https://mailchi.mp/f2dce91955c6/notes-from-the-life-raft

    28 min

  7. MAR 25

    'Enoughness' and Managing Your Inner Critic with Mandy Lehto

    If you are feeling paralysed by anxiety as to what your supervisor might think of your latest chapter or just doubting whether you are even capable of finishing the PhD at all then this is the episode for you!   Mandy Lehto is a reknowned executive coach.  After her doctorate she worked in investment banking and has also been a columnist for ‘Psychologies’ magazine as well as contributing to a number of other publications including ‘The Huffington Post and The Times.  She now hosts “Enough the Podcast” alongside her private practice.     In this episode Mandy draws on her research and shares her insights into the concept of ‘enoughness’ and how it can help avoid self-sabotage and stuckness.   She emphasizes the importance of questioning negative self-talk and suggests practices to reduce emotional reactivity.     In the episode we explore the fear and uncertainty of the doctoral process and how embracing the ‘boring basics’ can help to ground us.   You can find Mandy here: WWW.MANDYLEHTO.COM Linked In - @mandylehto Instagram - Mandy Lehto Enough, the Podcast on Spotify & Apple   Here are the details for The Curiosity Chronicle Sahil Bloom which Mandy mentions: https://sahilbloom.substack.com/   For a transcript of this episode go to www.thephdliferaft.com If you would like to receive a useful weekly email from the PhD Life Raft you can sign up here for ‘Notes from the Life Raft’: https://mailchi.mp/f2dce91955c6/notes-from-the-life-raft

    26 min

  8. MAR 18

    Autism, Ableism and the PhD with Piangfan Naksukpaiboon

    Piangfan Naksukpaiboon is currently an Early Stage Researcher and doctoral candidate in Medicine focusing on cancer genomics at the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences at Queen's University Belfast on the SPaRK program which is a Horizon2020 funded Marie Skłodowska-Curie doctoral training programme. Her move to Norway was when she discovered that she has Asperger’s Syndrome. However, she never let it define who she is.   In this episode Piangfun discusses her experiences as a neurodivergent scholar, including facing skepticism about her abilities.   She discusses negotiating ableism in academia and her process of self-advocacy.   Piangfun also shares how facing illness led to her passion for archery and how interests outside the PhD have helped her on the journey.   We finish with a top tip about being honest with yourself and others.   You can find Piangfan Naksukpaiboon here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/piangfannaksukpaiboon/   You can find a transcript of this episode at thephdliferaft.com   If you would like to receive a useful weekly email from the PhD Life Raft you can sign up here for ‘Notes from the Life Raft’: https://mailchi.mp/f2dce91955c6/notes-from-the-life-raft

    30 min
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About

This is the podcast for you if you are currently doing a PhD; are working with PhD students; or just living with someone who is on a PhD journey. The PhD Life Raft will focus on sharing insights and experiences around some common issues like anxiety, procrastination, precariousness, imposter syndrome, and work-life balance. We will talk to students, supervisors and experts in the field of wellbeing and mental health and share actionable tips and additional resources. Doing a PhD is tough. The PhD Life Raft is here to help you get through.

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