Should I do a Ph D Jayne Sharples

Should I do a Ph. D? Jayne Sharples, Postgraduate Careers Consultant Matilda Blackwell, Further Study Ambassador 4 th December 2019

What is a Ph. D? The term 'Ph. D' stands for 'Doctor of Philosophy'. In most cases, a Ph. D: • is an advanced postgraduate degree involving three or more years of independent research on an original topic. • is carried out with the support of one or more expert academic supervisors. • results in a thesis that offers a significant original contribution to knowledge. • confers the title ‘Doctor’ upon successful candidates. • is the highest academic degree a student can achieve and is considered the de facto entrance qualification for a career in academia. Taken from: https: //www. findaphd. com

In pairs discuss: why do you want to do a Ph. D? Feedback to the group

Why do a Ph. D? Pros: • To make an original contribution to knowledge in your field • To become an expert in your chosen field • Rare opportunity to dedicate time to extended research project • Necessary for career • Access an academic career • Passion for your subject/project Cons: • Peer pressure • Fulfilling others’ ambitions • Carry on living the ‘student life’ • Keeping your visa • Escaping a job you’re not enjoying • A pay rise…? ? • Putting off making career decisions!

Important things to consider • What topics are being funded? And by whom? • What is influencing this? • ‘Longevity’ • Impact • What ‘gap’ do you want to fill? • Who is working in areas that interest you?

Advertised Ph. Ds Projects that are already created that you apply for like a job. These can be funded or require you to look for your own funding as well. • Sites such as www. jobs. ac. uk and www. findaphd. com: projects are often advertised like ‘vacancies’. • Birmingham’s Doctoral Re. SEARCHer database: https: //www. birmingham. ac. uk/postgraduate/courses/findaphd. a spx • International opportunities: https: //www. phdportal. com/ • Apply for projects which closely match your own interests and experience - show commitment to your research area! • Economic and Social Research Council: https: //esrc. ukri. org/

Searching for courses • Doctoral Researcher Enquiry Service • www. findaphd. com • www. jobs. ac. uk • https: //targetpostgrad. com/ • https: //www. thinkpostgrad. com/ • https: //www. postgraduatestudentships. co. uk/ • International opportunities: https: //www. phdportal. com/

Proposing your own project These require you to come up with your own project, approach potential supervisors and source your own funding. • • • Do your research: 67% of staff receive enquiries that don’t match their interests! Have a clear project outline. Possible routes: – Talk to current lecturers for recommendations – Look up authors of relevant books/papers – Come across someone’s work at a conference – ‘Staff’ pages of university websites – Academic networking sites e. g. Research Gate

Your Ph. D… what next?

Applying for a Ph. D video Alex Conner Director of Post-Graduate Taught Study, College of MDS https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=q 3 arhgs. Rxf 4&feature=youtu. be

Further resources • Attend Café Ph. D: – TODAY at 5. 15 pm, University House - Room G 06 • ‘Considering Further Study’ Canvas Course • Discuss your options with a careers adviser by booking an appointment via Careers Connect: https: //bham. targetconnect. net • Funding Advice for Ph. Ds – online event – Monday 16 th December, 3 pm – https: //www. pg. bham. ac. uk/events/event/funding-advice-for-phd-dec 19/