PhD Experience Conference 2012

'The Employable and Balanced Researcher'

Organised by students for students

University of Hull, February 9th and 10th 2012

If you would like to read an article that was published in relation to the PhD Experience Conference, entitled 'Student-led research training within the PhD: “PhD experience” conferences' please see the link below:

http://www.emeraldinsight.com/journals.htm?articleid=17015381&ini=aob

INTRODUCTION

During the PhD process there will be many questions that you will ask yourself. How should I manage the student-supervisor relationship? How should I manage my research? Am I capable of writing and finishing a PhD to a high standard? What do people do after a PhD? Is it really worth it?

The PhD Experience Conference 2012 aims to help students answer these common questions and doubts by providing information sessions and workshops. These will be run by acclaimed academic speakers and current and recent PhD students who will share their experiences.

DATES AND LOCATION

The PhD Experience Conference will be held at the University of Hull on 9^th and 10^th February 2012.

REGISTRATION

Registration forms are available now from the conference website or by request from phdconf@hull.ac.uk. A conference fee of £10.00 is payable on registration or £15.00 if you wish to attend the conference and evening meal.

The conference fee has been heavily subsided by Hull University. This is to allow as many PhD students to attend as possible, whether funded or unfunded. The conference fee gives you access to the two day conference which includes a wide range of presentations and workshops. It also includes lunch and refreshments on both days. There is also an optional evening meal on the first evening for an additional £5.00.

OBJECTIVES AND AIMS

The PhD Experience Conference aims to provide an insight into all aspects of the PhD process, for example networking strategies, the research process and write-up, publication during and after the PhD, career management and demystifying the viva voce.

The overarching theme of this year’s conference is employability. In an increasingly competitive labour market both in academia and professional domains it is important that you are aware of what job opportunities are available for PhD students and how you can develop your skills to make you more attractive to employers.

The conference will provide a relaxed and friendly forum for attendees to share experiences and gain confidence in starting their research career. The conference aims to provide an opportunity to network with academics and students and to widen and strengthen professional relationships.

BACKGROUND

The first PhD Experience Conference was held in 2008 by newly qualified Doctors Andrew Kythreotis and Theresa Mercer. Its second edition took place in 2011 organised by PhD students Carol Lambert and Gill Hughes as co-chairs. Read more about the previous conference at

http://www2.hull.ac.uk/student/graduateschool/phd-experience-conference-2011.aspx

Following the success and positive reviews of the two previous conferences, the next PhD Experience Conference will be held in February 2012 and is being organised by co-chairs Kay Brown and Selorm Yevu. The overarching theme for this year’s instalment is ‘The Employable and Balanced Researcher’.

THEMES

There are five broad themes, networking strategies, the research process and write-up, publication during and after the PhD, career management and demystifying the viva voce.

The content of each are briefly described below.

NETWORKING STRATEGIES

The purpose of this theme is to provide an insight into the networking process by looking at creating and maintaining fruitful global networks, as well as building on transdisciplinary networking, the use of social media for this purpose and conference attendance. The event itself is also a fantastic opportunity to practice your networking skills with other students and academics.

RESEARCH PROCESS AND WRITE-UP

It is essential to effectively and efficiently manage your PhD if you wish to complete it to a high standard, on time and with minimal stress. There are many issues that will be discussed within this theme to help provide you with the right tools for success. These will include effectively managing the student-supervisor relationship, the calendar-based research plan, accessing the research environment, attending seminars and developmental courses, how to start writing early, what to write and strategies for effective write up.

PUBLICATIONS DURING AND AFTER THE PHD

Should I publish with my supervisor? Should I publish with my laboratory colleagues? Should I publish on my own? Should I submit papers to journals or conferences? Should I publish at all before submitting my thesis? In this theme an analysis of strategies for publication in different fields are presented. Speakers with experience of academic publishing will help you find the best answers for your case. Experiences will be shared by PhD students who have published either before, during or after their PhD. The decisions of journal editors and reviewers will also be explored.

CAREER MANAGEMENT

As you progress through your PhD it will become necessary to start thinking about your future career. Do you want to follow an academic career or go into industry? This aspect of the conference will provide you with effective insights on how to manage your career (academic or industry). This theme will provide you with a guided directional plan to reach your career goals from the current stage of your PhD. It will provide information on important skills that you can acquire during the course of your PhD to reap the benefits when you are ready to step out into the competitive world. Carefully designed workshops and renowned speakers will well equip you with details of job hunting strategies, application processes, employer expectations and how to prepare a winning CV.

DEMYSTIFYING THE VIVA VOCE

This theme will explore the written and unwritten rules of the viva, offer advice on how to prepare for a successful viva, analyse the typical questions to expect from the examiners and explain the possible outcomes. This theme will address what to do if the viva is not going “your way” and provide you with accounts of different student experiences.