I'm doing a PhD - AMA

[AquaViper]

In a show of ultimate procrastination here is my ask me anything.

I'm doing a PhD as a mature student, ask away!

Good for you! What’s your subject and what motivated you to start?

How far through are you? Both in terms of research production and chronologically

How are you funding it? Are you still working whilst studying? Why are you doing it? Will it give you a leg up at work? Did you choose your topic or is it a funded studentship?

For now:
In what? Where? How much does it cost? What is the timeframe? Are you sponsored by a faculty?

It in health services research, specifically end of life care. I came into it after leaving a job due to health issues in 2019 and then doing starting a masters during 1st year of covid

I'm in my final year, started in 2021 and went part time in year 2. I'm doing qualitative research and am coming to the end of data collection, 18 interviews completed of an aimed for number of 20. I'm mid analysis and write up.

It's funded so I get a stipend. I do some part time work alongside through the university which is really flexible and fits around my project well for me. I also some savings from when I was working pre-covid.

Honestly I started because it felt like a natural step from the masters and I had no other plans!

I chose my topic area, and the project is funded, but there was flexibility to mould the research questions around my interests.

A leg up at work? Well its confirmed to me that I dont want to work in academia - I'm currently aiming for something in the bereavement sector where I can have a direct impact with people.

What are your plans post-phd?

I’m also a mature student, currently looking at master’s courses with the aim of a PhD after but the wider goal is more elusive.

In what? Lived experience of end of life care provision - interviewing families.

Where? University of Sheffield (hi to my supervisors if anyone happens to be here lol)

Timeframe? Started in 2021 and due to finish this year

Sponsored by a faculty? It's a funded project yes

Current plans are to move away from academia and potentially away from research (although not sure on that bit). I have a strong desire so something which supports people going through bereavement as that is who I've spend the last 4 years talking to and thinking about - not sure exactly where that will lead me.

@AquaViperthanks, lovely. Sounds like a really interesting and important topic. I work in biomedical research and have been mulling a PhD by publications for 15 years, but I'd still have to work FT. All the best, you're on the home straight 👏🏼

As someone going through a significant bereavement and with a terrible fear of death due to own ill health and other traumatic end of life experiences with parents…I think you would make a huge difference.

Well done OP ! I’ve always wanted to
do a PhD ! Roughly how many hours a week do you spend on it ?

Sorry to hear your struggles. I really hope I can find a role which allows me to help people like yourself. I've heard some really touching stories from my participants, many of which could have been improved with better communication and understanding.

I am 50% part time. I work 3 days a week and try and treat it like a paid job but with some flexibility because of my own health needs. I also end up doing admin type tasks outside of my hours. At the weekends I will do my paid work to top up my stipend.

Well its confirmed to me that I dont want to work in academia - I'm currently aiming for something in the bereavement sector where I can have a direct impact with people.

Its a shame that you don't think that academic research has an impact. Impact is a huge agenda in academia. Good research can be impactful in a much wider way than one individual helping people as it has a multiplier effect, shaping practice that will be delivered by many people or an entire specialty.

Oh don't get me wrong, I know research has a huge impact but I don't think it's for me long term. I came from a clinical background and I miss the patient contact I had doing that. I'm also pretty wary of the short term nature of research contracts, I've taught before and don't enjoy it so I wouldn't be looking at teaching contracts which I understand can be longer and more permanent. Although im pretty sure ive decided against academia I do have plans to explore things outside my department but at the moment I'm leaning towards a non academic path.

Thanks for answering and all the very best for whatever you do next. Your research sounds enormously valuable.