A recap of 2013...

This year has really travelled along rather quickly. So quickly in fact, keeping up the writing has gotten away from me. And, I find that this is not good.

To recap and explain…

Are PhD Graduates expecting too much? - Republished from The Conversation

Are PhD graduates expecting too much?

By John Crossley, Monash University

When it comes to PhD graduates, it’s clear that supply now far outstrips demand. It used to be that doing a PhD almost guaranteed you an academic position but now, any guarantees are long gone.

My own experience suggests that only around half of PhD graduates are employed in some kind of academic work, even if it is part-time or casual.

But should this mean it’s time for prospective PhD students to make their expectations more reasonable? And if so, who decides what’s reasonable?

Cryptozoology? No need for an apology

All forms of science are reliant on facts, hard evidence and statistics to maintain relevance and credibility. But what of the legitimacy of the so-called “pseudosciences”?

A warning: I’m going to pick on cryptozoology here – the study of hidden, extinct or mythical creatures.

Where science turns rock-n-roll: Conferences

When it comes to conferences, I have only this to say:

                  Go to lots and present your work wherever you can.

At some point as a graduate student, your supervisor will tell you to get along to an academic conference.  And you should.  Of course though, go to conferences that are relevant to your research.  Unless you have money and time to burn, there’s not much point attending the “International Sand Castle Colloquium” if your research area is glass blowing.

So, following are my justifications for being a conference junky.

Embrace the Confirmation

A couple of months ago Solomon told us about his experience of the PhD Confirmation of Candidature process, which left him ruined.  Now, my turn.

What is it? Don’t worry, it doesn’t involve a priest.  At its core the confirmation is done in two parts, a written research proposal and a verbal presentation delivered to a research panel.  Though the presentation is a repeat of what you write in the proposal, you need both because the research committee will probably not read, or even understand the research proposal.  Also, in case they fall asleep during your presentation, they will have something to refer back to.