Doing a PhD; Issues, Concerns, Approaches

European Research Institute, University of Birmingham

Thursday 26th – Friday 27th April 2007

A free workshop presented by postgraduate students from the University of
Birmingham and the University of Glasgow

Welcome!
The organising committee is very pleased to announce the first Doing a PhD 
workshop to be held at the University of Birmingham's European Research 
Institute. This gathering of post-graduate students and established 
academics aims to explore many of the compelling issues and questions 
around social science doctoral work not addressed elsewhere in a mutually 
supportive, collegiate environment. The two-day programme aims to be 
engaging and informal, while also retaining the rigour and practical focus 
budding researchers will benefit from. Attendance is free and open to 
anyone presently embarking on a PhD. 

Attendance is strictly limited to 40 individuals. With this in mind it is 
strongly recommended that those interested in this new and exciting 
venture to contact the organising committee by email at 
[log in to unmask] 

This event is co-organised by doctoral students from the University of 
Birmingham and the University of Glasgow, and is financed by the Roberts 
Funds of these institutions. It is hoped that this will be but the first 
in a series of workshops aimed at helping new doctoral students learn from 
the experience of their peers and eminent researchers from a variety of 
disciplines and backgrounds.

Schedule:
The first day will largely be presentation based, with invited speakers 
and postgraduate students giving papers under three broadly titled 
sessions:
‘Starting out’. Aims to address the sometimes daunting task of starting 
your PhD research. Speakers will discuss their own experiences of this 
often nerve-wracking time and discussion will centred around the 'basics' 
that don't seem so basic at the time, including; deciding on a research 
topic; keeping on track; coping when things go wrong; chance 
opportunities; relationship with your supervisor(s).  

‘Practicing Ethics’. In light of the ESRC's recently introduced 'Research 
Ethics Framework', adherence to formal research ethics are of paramount 
importance. Speakers will cover a wide range of issues in this often 
difficult area, including: power relations; collaborative research; 
cultural differences; trust issues; overt/covert research; and, how to 
deal with issues of personal moral concern.   

‘Writing: how, when, why and for whom’. Aims to address the thorny issues 
surrounding all aspects of writing, including: research diaries; field 
notes; interview transcripts; translation/language issues; writing 'up' 
the PhD; writing for publication. Issues to consider include reflexivity, 
positionality and situated knowledge. 

The second day will be based around more informal group discussions of 
issues raised from the day before. 

Further information:

Please email: [log in to unmask] 
Join our discussion list: www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/DOING-A-PHD.html  
For a list of confirmed speakers and the latest updates, please visit: 
www.doingaphdworkshop.co.uk 

C. Wilkinson
Ph.D candidate
Centre for Russian & East European Studies (ERI)
University of Birmingham

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