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Hi Ceri, Sorry to hear of your decision although maybe you know your own situation best. It certainly takes a lot of sacrifice and your health can suffer too if you're not careful. I put on weight, developed a bad back, saw nothing much of my wife n kids etc etc. I finally submitted my thesis last Friday at about 3pm and just waiting for the viva now. I've also started on a recovery campaign to get healthy and live a normal life. More importantly, I managed to gain a scholarship and without the funding I couldn't have done a PhD. I would have been stressed up about money and debt running up in the background. So, a lot depends on your social situation and your financial position even before you get to doing any research. I also think part-time might be what it says on the tin but it wouldn't be what you actually do in terms of hours (same as part time work really). The key thing is that you can always come back to the idea later. It might not be right for now but who knows in a few years time. Good luck Ceri and I wish you health and happiness whatever you do. cheers, Nick On 12 March 2012 09:01, Ceridwen Coulby <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > Hi All, > Just wanted to say well done to Nick on his thesis and to thank everyone that emailed me with offers of help and encouragement after my own post to the list regarding concerns about my PhD transfer. I am extremely grateful to all of you. I thought people may be interested to know what has happened since my post. > John Wakeford very kindly offered to help me on a one to one basis and he and I have had a long email conversation over the last fortnight. John took me back to the beginning by asking me a series of questions about my motivation, life and time commitments. This led to an exercise where I had to calculate if I had 500 days to spare between now and hand in. It turns out that as a busy mum working 4 days a week with a day for my PhD I just didn't have the time to put to the PhD at the moment; not without giving up an extra day a week at work, a day every weekend and some holiday. My son is nearly 6 and I realised that my motivation for the PhD is just not as strong as having time with my family. I spoke to my supervisor who was extremely kind and supportive and as a result I have withdrawn from the PhD. At first I was sad about this, but as time is going on I feel as though a weight has been lifted from my shoulders. Maybe I will think about it again later, but for now I am happy with the decision I came to, and glad not to spend the next 3 years struggling and suffering. I suppose the message here for anyone considering a part time doctorate is really calculate if you have the time to do it before you start! > Best wishes > Ceri Coulby > > -----Original Message----- > From: Online forum for SEDA, the Staff & Educational Development Association [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Shirley Bennett > Sent: 08 March 2012 23:33 > To: [log in to unmask] > Subject: FW: If you ever considered doing a doctorate.... > > Thanks for flagging this up. I would like to join the list, but could not find it when I looked for it? > > Shirley > > -----Original Message----- > From: Online forum for SEDA, the Staff & Educational Development Association [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Dr Anne Lee > Sent: 07 March 2012 14:48 > To: [log in to unmask] > Subject: Re: If you ever considered doing a doctorate.... > > Many congratulations Nick. Sometime perhaps we should we ask you to share your 'tips for success' with the jiscmail list we set up in response to the initial discussion here [log in to unmask] it is heading for 100 subscribers now. > > We are also contemplating starting a discussion thread there - preparing for the viva..... > > Anne Lee and Gina Wisker > > (www.drannelee.wordpress.com) > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Nick Bowskill <[log in to unmask]> > Sender: "Online forum for SEDA, the Staff & Educational Development Association" <[log in to unmask]> > Date: Wed, 7 Mar 2012 13:30:29 > To: <[log in to unmask]> > Reply-To: Nick Bowskill <[log in to unmask]> > Subject: Re: If you ever considered doing a doctorate.... > > Dear All, > By way of an update to my earlier contribution under this heading........ This morning I had a meeting with my supervisors at Glasgow (interdisciplinary so there are 4 of them). It was agreed that my thesis was approved for formal submission. That will happen on Friday if possible and Monday/Tuesday next week if not! Really chuffed having reached this milestone on the journey. Still got the Viva to go but its getting there. > > I just wanted to share it with someone and it seemed semi-appropriate after this discussion thread. > > cheers, > Nick > > > > > On 21 February 2012 17:40, Campbell, Fiona <[log in to unmask]> wrote: >> The conference does sound like a good time and opportunity to discuss a possible professional route to doctorates linked to FSEDA/SFSEDA. The May conference programme is filled to bursting - although includes lots of valuable networking time which colleagues may want to use informally to take the idea forward. The November conference would be better placed to accommodate a structured discussion with colleagues participating at the event (or joining in online) - and particularly appropriate given its theme, the focus on developers at the November conference and the greater proportion of developers among participants at this - rather than the May -conferences. The Conference Committee would be happy to schedule that in for the November programme. In the interim, may also be worth raising at Exec. >> >> Fiona (on behalf of the Conference Committee) >> >> Fiona Campbell >> Head of Professional Development >> Office of the Vice Principal (Academic) Edinburgh Napier University >> 0131 455 6102 >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: Online forum for SEDA, the Staff & Educational Development >> Association [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Shan Wareing >> Sent: 21 February 2012 16:44 >> To: [log in to unmask] >> Subject: Re: If you ever considered doing a doctorate.... >> >> Nice one! Thanks for the suggestion, Ruth and Peter. That's >> certainly one to reconsider. Good idea re the May SEDA conference too >> All the best Shân >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: Online forum for SEDA, the Staff & Educational Development >> Association [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Peter Hartley >> Sent: 21 February 2012 11:17 >> To: [log in to unmask] >> Subject: Re: If you ever considered doing a doctorate.... >> >> Given a combination of the quality peer support we can expect from colleagues in SEDA and the opportunities for communication and collaboration now readily available through the web, isn't this feasible in away that would not have been possible only a few years ago? How about using a bit of time at the conference to propose alternative ways of achieving it (I feel a concept map coming on). >> >> Best wishes >> Peter >> >> >> On 21 Feb 2012, at 10:50, Ruth M H Pilkington wrote: >> >>> Just to mention, I recall having some discussions early on with Tony >>> and others when we were re5thinking Fellowship the first time, and >>> whether there would be a route forward for a professional doctorate >>> route from FSEDA. My belief that the portfolio requirement for >>> research specialism was a useful step into this next stage. I think >>> there would be considerable interest in a professional route to >>> doctorateness linked to FSEDA/SFSEDA Ruth >>> >>> -----Original Message----- >>> From: Online forum for SEDA, the Staff & Educational Development >>> Association [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Shan Wareing >>> Sent: 21 February 2012 09:00 >>> To: [log in to unmask] >>> Subject: Re: If you ever considered doing a doctorate.... >>> >>> Dear Phil and Bland >>> >>> You would be very welcome to revisit the possibility of a SEDA Senior >>> Fellowship, relaunched in the last few months. As Ranald says, it's >>> now bureaucracy-lite, though still development-rich, and you would be >>> great peer mentors for the other registrants >>> >>> All the best >>> Shân >>> >>> >>> Dr Shân Wareing >>> SEDA Fellowships Co-ordinator >>> Dean of Learning and Teaching Development University of the Arts >>> London >>> 272 High Holborn, London WC1V 7EY >>> T:020 7514 8051 Mobex: 3826 >>> M: 07725 705026 E: [log in to unmask] >>> >>> >>> >>> -----Original Message----- >>> From: Online forum for SEDA, the Staff & Educational Development >>> Association [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Race, Phil >>> Sent: 20 February 2012 19:29 >>> To: [log in to unmask] >>> Subject: Re: If you ever considered doing a doctorate.... >>> >>> Great discussion. My own doctorate (on interfacial electochemical kinetics and thermodymamics) is well past its 'use-by' date, and I also have FSEDA (started but never finished). However, I noticed Peter's email about software to give one a viva. As someone who gets asked reasonably often to be external for PhDs (am I too soft?), I wouldn't mind a play with the software to see if my viva technique is OK. >>> cheers, >>> Phil >>> >>> ___________________________________________ >>> Professor Phil Race >>> Main email: [log in to unmask] >>> Website: http://www.phil-race.co.uk/ >>> ___________________________________________ >>> >>> ________________________________________ >>> From: Online forum for SEDA, the Staff & Educational Development >>> Association [[log in to unmask]] on behalf of Macdonald, Ranald F >>> [[log in to unmask]] >>> Sent: 20 February 2012 14:12 >>> To: [log in to unmask] >>> Subject: Re: If you ever considered doing a doctorate.... >>> >>> Hi, Bland >>> >>> I'm interested in your comment on the SEDA Fellowship. Over the last couple of years I led an initiative to re-vamp the Fellowship to reduce the bureaucratic perception as it was obvious that quite a number of people who we would have expected to have undertaken the Fellowship were not doing so. We don't feel that the process is any less rigorous but that it better meets the needs and expertise of those applying for it. We are also currently reviewing the CPD element of the Fellowships to ensure that it is fit for purpose. >>> >>> So, it is worth you looking at the new scheme on the SEDA website - http://www.seda.ac.uk/fellowships.html - and, if you are interested, contacting Shân Wareing as she is the Fellowships Co-ordinator. >>> >>> Best wishes >>> >>> Ranald >>> >>> >>> Professor Ranald Macdonald SFSEDA, FHEA, NTF Emeritus Professor of >>> Academic Development, Sheffield Hallam University Higher Education >>> Consultant >>> +44 (0)1629 734307 or 07900 213800 (mobile) >>> [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> and: >>> www.ranald.pbworks.com<http://www.ranald.pbworks.com/> >>> >>> >>> >>> ________________________________ >>> From: Online forum for SEDA, the Staff & Educational Development >>> Association [[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of BLAND TOMKINSON >>> [[log in to unmask]] >>> Sent: 20 February 2012 13:47 >>> To: [log in to unmask] >>> Subject: Re: If you ever considered doing a doctorate.... >>> >>> Yes, I have considered a Doctorate, several times, and even applied for a studentship when I "retired". My big problem has always been the view from above that I shouldn't pursue this route because I could not then supervise PhDs whilst I did it. This has largely proved to be an overstatement as I only managed one supervision, and two doctoral examinerships, in the whole time during which I could have forged ahead - though I am now co-supervising the person who did get the studentship for which I applied! I think that a suitable doctoral programme can provide a good framework for professional development - I have given up on my FSEDA, I can't be doing with all the bureaucracy. I am still not too old to start a PhD, but I am not sure that I want to belong to a club that would have me as a member... >>> >>> Seriously, though, there can be a conflict of interests if you want to pursue a doctorate but might somehow be involved in supervising/examining them. >>> >>> ________________________________ >>> From: Gwen M. van der Velden <[log in to unmask]> >>> To: [log in to unmask] >>> Sent: Tuesday, 14 February 2012, 15:25 >>> Subject: If you ever considered doing a doctorate.... >>> >>> Dear colleagues, >>> >>> If you ever considered doing a doctorate and didn't get round to it 'first time' (like me), then maybe you're interested in a professional doctorate like the one I am taking at the moment. If not, I am sorry to have filled up your mailbox. Mine is a research doctorate in International Higher Education Management, offered at the University of Bath (yes, that's my own institution, but I'm no less critical, not to worry). In brief, it consists of four residentials in the first phase, each with their own research assignment to follow and then a full thesis, just like you would produce for a PhD. The big advantage of not going for the individual PhD route, but taking this type of doctorate is that you meet a group of fellow students from universities all over the world, and you build up a study network that keeps you going, inspires you and challenges you to do better than you thought you could. But you also learn how to write at publication level, even before you start on your thesis. By the time you start, you should be well prepared for 'the real thing'. Your fourth assignment is your research methodology and so you will have lots of help and assurances on that aspect before you start collecting data. >>> >>> In my case, I am now a year an a half into the programme. Working on finalising assignment three, I have just had my first assignment accepted for publication in an international journal (Higher Education Quarterly). The wider research and reading I've done so far on student engagement and organisational cultures has also helped inform the talks and seminars I am giving in a few universities and at conferences, and the stronger research underpinning is well received. I have also made professional and personal friends in countries across the world and this has led to new insights into how universities could be organised that I would never have had otherwise. Incredibly useful for my day to day work. In my year group there are 22 HE managers studying on the programme, from 19 different countries. And that is not unusual, it seems. The whole experience so far, has been 'brain candy' as one of my Canadian fellow students descries it. This Saturday, five of us met online to catch up on our study progress, and this is how we all keep on track with our studies. >>> >>> I am not writing this out of any other interest than encouraging perhaps just one or two of you, to give a doctorate a go, no matter where you are in your career. I can honestly say, it is absolutely worth it. To be fair, you may also want to have a look at alternatives, such as the Doctorate at the Institute of Education which I know some colleagues are also quite happy with. I guess there are others as well, but I'm afraid I like the Bath one so much, I didn't look that far! If you are interested, have a look at the brochure the programme team has just released: http://www.bath.ac.uk/management/dba/ . >>> Also, feel free to drop me a line if you want to hear more about my own experiences, or talk to me at any next event we might both be at, but keep in mind, I'm still going, who knows what I'll say when I reach the other end of the course? >>> >>> >>> Best wishes, >>> Gwen van der Velden >>> Director of Learning and Teaching Enhancement Learning and Teaching >>> Enhancement Office Wessex House 5.38 University of Bath Claverton >>> Down Bath BA2 7AY >>> t: 01225 383775 >>> m: 07891 790105 >>> e: [log in to unmask] >>> w: >>> www.bath.ac.uk/learningandteaching<http://www.bath.ac.uk/learningandt >>> e >>> aching> [cid:1.2703715180@web87208.mail.ird.yahoo.com] >>> >>> To view the terms under which this email is distributed, please go to >>> http://disclaimer.leedsmet.ac.uk/email.htm >> >> >> Edinburgh Napier University is one of Scotland's top universities for graduate employability. 93.2% of graduates are in work or further study within six months of leaving. The university is also proud winner of the Queen's Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education 2009, awarded for innovative housing construction for environmental benefit and quality of life. >> >> This message is intended for the addressee(s) only and should not be >> read, copied or disclosed to anyone else outwith the University without the permission of the sender. It is your responsibility to ensure that this message and any attachments are scanned for viruses or other defects. >> Edinburgh Napier University does not accept liability for any loss or >> damage which may result from this email or any attachment, or for errors or omissions arising after it was sent. Email is not a secure medium. Email entering the University's system is subject to routine monitoring and filtering by the University. >> >> Edinburgh Napier University is a registered Scottish charity. >> Registration number SC018373 > > > > -- > -------------------------------------- > Nicholas Bowskill, > Faculty of Education, > University of Glasgow > > Shared Thinking - a Collectivist Pedagogy > > Web Site: http://www.sharedthinking.info -- -------------------------------------- Nicholas Bowskill, Faculty of Education, University of Glasgow Shared Thinking - a Collectivist Pedagogy Web Site: http://www.sharedthinking.info