The PhD Life Raft Podcast
Episodes
Undertaking a Professional Doctorate with Lynn Kowoera
18 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Lynn Koworera has a background in Adult Nursing BSc and Physician Associate MSc. She has a post registration qualification in advanced non medical pre...
Being a Neurodivergent Scholar with Gilly Mckeown
10 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week's guest is the amazing Gilly McKeown AKA @neurodivergent_researcher. We begin by talking through the twists and turns of Gilly's own ...
The Importance of Peer Support for the PhD with Milensu Shanyinde
04 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week's episode is all about the importance of friends on the PhD journey! Milensu Shanyinde is a PhD candidate at University College London. ...
Laziness Does Not Exist with Devon Price
27 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We are kicking off the new season with the fabulous Devon Price! Devon is a social psychologist, writer, activist, and professor at Loyola Universi...
Using Your PhD Outside Academia with Melanie Smith
19 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
It's the final episode of Season 3! It's gone so quickly and I am so grateful to the wonderful guests who have made it so awesome! And, talking o...
Precarity and PhD Students
12 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Precarity is, unfortunately, a familiar experience for many PhD students - particularly in the strange times that we find ourselves in. This week's ...
Surviving Your Viva with Nathan Ryder
05 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week is all about how to survive your viva! Nathan Ryder runs skills training for PhD students with a signature course entitled 'Viva Survivor...
Being a Working Class PhD Student with Sam Belfrage
28 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week's episode focuses on the experience of Sam Belfrage a full time PhD student at the University of Winchester, in the Faculty of Health and We...
Goal Setting for PhD Students with Kate Litterer
21 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Productivity is an issue that PhD students often struggle with and this week's episode offers lots of practical advice to help you through! Dr Ka...
The Challenges and Possibilities of Being a Mature PhD Student with Elisa Webb
14 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Elisa Webb describes herself as a student, teacher, writer - her debut novel Darkling Park was published with Patrician Press. In this week's episode ...
What does a PhD Examiner Look for in a Thesis? with Vernon Trafford
05 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week I talk to Professor Vernon Trafford about what a PhD examiner is looking for in your thesis. Vernon Trafford is Professor Emeritus at Ang...
Finding Community as a PhD Student with Jen Leigh
31 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week's episode picks up on some of the themes from last week in terms of negotiating caring responsibilities alongside completing research work b...
The PhD and Motherhood with Anna Woolf
24 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week's episode focuses on the PhD and motherhood as Anna Woolf shares her insights and experiences. Anna is a Ph.D. candidate at the Roy...
How to Enjoy Writing Your PhD with Dee Reynolds
30 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week we are exploring how to enjoy writing your PhD. Our guest Dee Reynolds is a proofreader and copy editor, and an academic writing mentor. S...
Surviving the Job Market with Jeff Weingarten
26 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We are back for Season Three!! I do hope that you found some time over Easter to rest and feel ready for the new term? As if we ever feel ready f...
Mindfulness and the PhD Process with Allan Kilner-Johnson
22 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
It's the last episode of Season Two! Allan Kilner-Johnson shares his own journey through his PhD and into his mindfulness practice. Allan is a mi...
Reflective journalling for the PhD Process with Nicole Brown
15 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week's guest is Nicole Brown - Director of Social Research & Practice and Education Ltd. and Lecturer in Education at the UCL Institute of Educat...
How to Finish Your Thesis with Rowena Murray
08 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week's episode is all about getting to the finish line of your PhD! Rowena Murray runs writing retreats for writers - with a particular specia...
Creativity and Mental Health as a PhD Student
27 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week's episode explores creativity, mental health and the PhD process. Theo Stickley trained in mental health nursing and then did an MA in Co...
Financial Considerations for PhD Students with Emily Roberts
22 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This episode deals with the financial impact of undertaking a PhD. Emily Roberts is a personal finance educator specializing in early-career PhDs b...
The Realities of the PhD Process with Nick Rowe
15 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week's episode takes an honest look at the realities of the PhD journey. Nick Rowe describes himself as a "trans-disciplinary educationalist",...
Coping with Stress in the PhD Process with Jenny Mercer
08 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week's episode deals with an issue that many of us are grappling with - stress. Jenny Mercer is Reader in Qualitative Approaches to Applied Ps...
The Problems and Pleasures of Practice-based Research with Kat Low
01 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode the fabulous Kat Low shares her experience of practice-based research - particularly her fieldwork in South Africa. Kat is a research-...
'Being a Part-time PhD Student' with Katie Hall
24 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week's podcast tackles the problems and possibilities of being a part-time PhD student. Katie Hall is currently a creative practice PhD studen...
Undertaking a PhD with a Diagnosed Mental Health Condition with Libby Bennett
18 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Libby Bennett shares her experience of negotiating both physical and mental health conditions during her PhD journey. Libby talks a...
Life Crisis and Dealing with Loss During the PhD with Lauren Graffin
11 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week's episode focuses on how to look after your mental health and maintain balance and a sense of your own well-being when faced with a life-cri...
Reciprocity and Scholarly Community with Dave Maslach
04 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome back to the first episode of Season Two! We are starting off with thinking about reciprocity and building a supportive and encouraging acad...
How to Handle the Holidays with Chloe Bradwell and Rachel Hopkin
15 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
It's the last episode of Season One and our Christmas special and we are celebrating with two guests! Chloé Bradwell is a Drama practitioner and S...
'Loneliness and the PhD' with Georgina Binnie
06 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Feeling lonely is one of the most common difficulties for PhD students - particularly those studying overseas. This week's podcast talks to Georgin...
Black Womxn in the Academy with Lynette Goddard
30 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Lynette Goddard is Professor of Black Theatre and Performance at Royal Holloway, University of London. Their research and teaching is focused in the a...
How to keep motivated and productive as a PhD student with Ciara Feely
23 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
According to a study by The Council of Graduate Schools, 44% of doctoral students lose their motivation and do not complete their degree within 10 ye...
Overcoming the Imposter Syndrome with Valerie Young
16 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
From her extensive work in the field Valerie Young guesses that approximately 90% of PhD students experience imposter syndrome! In this episode she ...
"What your supervisor wants you to know..." with Chris Megson
06 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A very important element of your PhD journey is your relationship with your supervisor. In this episode I talk to Dr Chris Megson, Reader in Dr...
Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less with Alex Soojung-Kim Pang
31 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Alex Soojung-Kim Pang's book Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less is a book that I regularly recommend to PhD students. Alex is a visitin...
Coping with COVID as a PhD Student with Mays Imad
30 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
I am delighted to share this conversation with Mays Imad. Mays serves as a Professor of Genetics, Biotechnology, and Bioethics at Pima Community Co...
"What I wished I'd known when starting my PhD" with Chloe Lee
16 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
My fabulous first guest is Chloe Lee a 3rd year History student undertaking a practice-as-research PhD. Chloe talks about three key things that she...
PhD Life Raft Trailer
16 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Hello and welcome to The PhD Life Raft Podcast!