Author: Cherene de Bruyn // Editor: Sophie Alshukri & Oliver Hartley Forging metal. Photo from Pexels In his book, The Art of Peace (1991) Morihei Ueshiba, founder of the martial art of Aikido, wrote: “Iron is full of impurities that weaken it; through forging, it becomes steel and is transformed into a razor-sharp sword. Human … Continue reading The PhD Confirmation process is not a hurdle – It’s a crucible
Author: Zoe Chernova // Editor: Erin Pallott “People think that stories are shaped by people. In fact, it’s the other way around.” Terry Pratchett Our whole lives are stories. We tell them to our children, read them in books, and can't tear ourselves away from TV series precisely because we love stories. Our minds are … Continue reading Storytelling for Scientists: When You Need it and What to Do
Author: Nompumelelo Maringa // Editors: Cherene de Bruyn & Sarah Charlin Klingberg THE PAST I have had an interest in history, archaeology and the environment for as long as I can remember. I cherished being outside, playing with plants, gardening, watching insects forage for food or tunnelling a new home in the soils of my home garden. … Continue reading The Road to PhD: A Zooarchaeologist’s Reflection on the Past and the Present
Author: Nina Wycech // Editor: Poppy Dunn Notes: In the light of the Neurodivergency movement, many try to retire the medical view and call it Autism Spectrum Condition instead of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Many people prefer using person-first language (person with autism) when it comes to ASD. I consider Autism to be an undetachable … Continue reading Starting a postgraduate degree as an Autistic person
Author: Erin Pallott // Editors: Luke Marshall, Sophie Alshukri When I joined my PhD programme, I needed to figure out which lab I wanted to join. I got given lots of advice on what to ask other PhD and postdoc members, and a prominent suggestion was to find out what the lab environment is like. … Continue reading “I Don’t Want to Cause Trouble”: Acceptance of Bullying in Academia
Author: Cherene de Bruyn // Editor: Erin Pallott Starting a PhD is no small feat—only about 1% of the global population ever achieves this milestone. It’s tough, and for good reason. A PhD demands a whole range of skills: analysing data, writing, managing your time, and communicating your ideas. Some of these you already have—after all, you made … Continue reading Starting Strong: Productivity Tips for the First 6 Months of Your PhD
Author: Priya Srivastava // Editor: Erin Pallott Featured photo by Priya Srivastava. Embarking on a PhD journey at the University of Manchester is a thrilling experience, but it comes with its own set of challenges. Beyond the academic rigours, there's a wealth of resources and opportunities that can significantly enhance your time as a postgraduate … Continue reading Maximising Your PhD Experience: My Comprehensive Guide to Life at the University of Manchester
Author: Jess Mackin // Editor: Erin Pallott Integration of sustainable practices in a research environment may seem difficult due to the vast amount of single-use plastics and high energy consumption from equipment. In general, life sciences are responsible for ~1.8% of total global plastic production and labs can consume up to 6 times more energy … Continue reading A Brief Guide to Sustainable Practice in the Lab
Author: Emily Cocker // Editors: Ayobami Esther Olanrewaju and Erin Pallott Reading Time: 5 minutes // Feature Photo by Unseen Studio on Unsplash I started my Epidemiology PhD in October 2022. I missed the Disabled PGR Induction by a few weeks, so I felt lost not knowing where to start from Day One. The generic … Continue reading Surviving a PhD Induction with Invisible Disabilities
By Jack Sharpen We caught up with the co-chairs from this year’s brilliant DAGS committee about this year's highs and achievements. Do you want to be involved? “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” For us postgraduates, this proverb can become a harsh reality. Letting off steam, socialising with other researchers and … Continue reading In the DAGS: Highlights of the Doctoral Academy Graduate Society
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