How to write a PhD thesis: a step-by-step guide A draft isn’t a perfect, finished product; it is your opportunity to start getting words down on paper, writes Kelly Louise PreeceKelly Louise PreeceThe University of Exeter
How to develop a researcher mindset as a PhD studentEntering the postgraduate sphere is a whole new ball game. Shaif Uddin Ahammed shows how to hone a PhD mindsetShaif Uddin AhammedUniversity of the West of Scotland
Improve data literacy among doctoral students In this resource, Vasudha Devi shows how to use a holistic approach to instil data literacy among doctoral students Vasudha Devi Manipal Academy of Higher Education
How to tackle the PhD dissertationFinding time to write can be a challenge for graduate students who often juggle multiple roles and responsibilities. Mabel Ho provides some tips to make the process less dauntingMabel HoDalhousie University
Publication-based doctorate: is it for me?Potential research higher degree candidates from academia or industry will need to decide between a doctorate by thesis or by publication. Here are key questions to ask before embarking on the doctoral journeyRiad ShamsNorthumbria University
What does a research supervisor do?Research supervisors must learn to be authentic mentors, as well as sharing their experience and knowledge. Robert Crammond reflects on his time in the roleRobert CrammondUniversity of the West of Scotland
How to foster PhD excellenceHow can PhD supervisors help early career researchers blossom? Support them with finding funding opportunities, understand each doctoral candidate’s motivations and reach out to your own network, suggests Julia HörnleJulia HörnleQueen Mary University of London
Research supervisor or tour guide?Reflecting on her own PhD journey as a supervisor and student, Ruth Northway offers her key signposts and mapping techniques to help candidates reach their destinationsRuth NorthwayUniversity of South Wales
Five ways to support PhD students’ well-beingDoctoral researchers are often absent from university discussions around well-being support, writes Jenny Mercer. Here, she argues that their situation requires bespoke attention and sets out ways this might be achievedJenny Mercer Cardiff Metropolitan University
Advice for supervising a PhD by published worksThe route to a PhD by published works requires a different approach to supervision. Here, Alison Brettle provides aspects to consider based on her experience conducting, supervising and developing institutional guidanceAlison BrettleUniversity of Salford
Celebrating failure and other advice for PhD supervisorsPhD researchers should be given space to work independently, share their results and test their own limits with the support of supervisors who see them as people first and scientists second, explains Hannah ClokeHannah ClokeUniversity of Reading
How to help postdocs take a holistic look at career choices After their terminal degrees, many postdocs find themselves at a career crossroads. Here, Karena Nguyen offers four key considerations across background, skills, values and interests to help determine what’s nextKarena Nguyen Georgia Tech’s Center for 21st Century Universities
Why get a PhD by publication (and other career tips)Finding the ‘golden thread’ in your academic path can offer an opportunity to reflect and grow, writes James DerounianJames DerounianUniversity of Bolton
Lots of talk about diversity in corporations, but what about universities?Why real progress won’t be made unless universities solve three persistent issues: access to networks, unconscious bias and insider culture, writes Blane RuschakBlane RuschakThe PhD Project
How can PhD researchers be supported to complete an alternative format thesis?How universities can best support PhD researchers who wish to produce alternative format theses, based on a review of institutional policiesCaitlin RobinsonThe University of Bristol
How to make access to doctoral study more equitableA three-pronged look at how to make access to doctoral study more equitable and remove barriers to entry that disproportionately impact students from ethnic minority backgrounds, based on findings of the Equator ProjectBenjamin Fernando, Sam Giles, Natasha DoweyUniversity of Oxford, University of Birmingham, Sheffield Hallam University
Giving and receiving doctoral writing feedbackAdvice for PhD supervisors on setting out clear expectations and strategies for delivering effective feedback to their doctoral students Susan CarterThe University of Auckland
The confidence trick: impostor syndrome and PhDs in the non-academic worldResearchers have a great deal to offer the world beyond academia. But, as John Miles writes, knowing where and when to deploy these skills is crucialJohn MilesInkpath
Bridging the gap: how to enhance PhD programmes for non-academic careersAs more PhD students express interest in non-academic career paths, it’s essential to evaluate the relevance of traditional PhD programmes for alternative opportunitiesDennis Relojo-HowellThe University of Edinburgh
Individual consultations can help PhD students to complete their studies Personalised consultancy gives assistance to PhD students and candidates to keep their momentum and build their academic careers, and it also helps instructors identify and train future supervisorsSzabolcs Várbíró , Judit Réka Hetthéssy, Marianna TörökSemmelweis University
Silence is golden when you ‘shut up and write’ togetherHow to build a supportive community of practice and peer learning through the simple practice of meeting online to ‘shut up and write’Kelly Louise Preece, Jo SutherstThe University of Exeter
Top tips for choosing a PhD SupervisorÖzge Özden lays out the pros and cons you need to consider when choosing a PhD supervisor, as well as five key qualities to look out forÖzge Özden Near East University
How to change research cultures to support the well-being of PhD students From providing mental health champions to simply having honest conversations about expectations and pressure, there’s much that can be done to help studentsImelda Bates Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Universities Policy Engagement Network (UPEN)
Helping doctoral students build international connectionsPhD students’ learning and research can be greatly enhanced through international collaboration. A team from Imperial College London shares practical tips for supporting these cross-border links between doctoral students Elena Forasacco, Laura Bulmer, Laura LaneImperial College London
What I have learned on the journey towards commercialising my PhDEngineering biologist Maggie Hicks shares what she has learned on her journey towards commercialising her PhD, with business partner and fellow PhD student Florentina WinkelmannMaggie HicksThe University of Edinburgh
Ways to support research students in nursing and midwiferyPhD supervision requires a specific skill set – from communication to emotional intelligence – to meet its challenges and secure its rewards. Here, Helen Allan shares her advice based on more than 20 years of experienceHelen AllanMiddlesex University
Doctoral training programmes: worthwhile or not?If the chance to work with gifted people and across unfamiliar disciplines appeals, a doctoral training programme could be for you, whether you’re a student or an academicGraham HugganUniversity of Leeds
Why getting a PhD is like building a Lego duckBen Marder provides a fun exercise that can impart important wisdom to help lessen PhD students’ anxiety over their progressBen MarderThe University of Edinburgh
Co-creation: how to find the ‘super’ in supervisionCo-creation can bring together research supervisors and doctoral students to unpick the tensions and challenges in the supervisory relationship and seek solutions, researchers from the University of Warwick explainElena Riva, Louise Gracia, Rebecca LimbThe University of Warwick
Ten platinum rules for PhD supervisorsIs it time to add PhD supervision to your skill set? Tara Brabazon explains the pitfalls, challenges and rewards of this key academic role for the rookie mentorTara BrabazonFlinders University
How to turn a PhD project into a commercial ventureTransforming a doctoral research project into a commercially viable product requires astute decision-making from the start. Manjinder Kainth and Nicola Wilkin share a beginner’s guideManjinder Kainth, Nicola Wilkin Graide, University of Birmingham
Streamline your research using academic search enginesSpecialist search engines can put the most relevant literature at your fingertips, but which is the best one for you, and how can you optimise your searches?Jack WangThe University of Queensland
How humanities and social sciences PhD programmes can adapt to a challenging job landscapePostgraduate studies in humanities and social sciences help graduates build skills that are applicable across multiple sectors and career paths. Ray Haberski Jr explains how to shape relevant and adaptable PhD programmes in these disciplinesRaymond Haberski JrIndiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)
Tips for writing a PhD dissertation: FAQs answeredFrom how to choose a topic to writing the abstract and managing work-life balance through the years it takes to complete a doctorate, here we collect expert advice to get you through the PhD writing processCampus teamCampus
Thinking about quitting your PhD? Maybe that’s the right decisionSometimes not completing a PhD is the rational choice, and having open conversations around it helps stop people feeling isolated and uncertain, says Katherine FirthKatherine Firth La Trobe University
Using literature reviews to strengthen research: tips for PhDs and supervisorsAnne Wilson explains how to develop a narrative and context for new research through your literature review, with tips for early career researchers and their supervisorsAnne WilsonRoyal Literary Fund
Widening access to postgraduate studies: from research to strategy to actionProviding equitable access into and through higher education is a constant battle, especially in postgraduate research, but barriers can be addressed when evidence is connected to action, as Diane Gill explains Diane GillThe University of Edinburgh
We must rethink PhDs to smash barriers and ensure bioscience successRedesigning PhD training will help develop commercially savvy researchers, address skills gaps in UK bioscience and bolster innovation, say Simon Cook and Derek JonesSimon Cook, Derek JonesBabraham Institute, Babraham Research Campus
Transitioning to a PhD: common struggles and how to overcome themCamille Bou outlines the key struggles she encountered during the first year of her PhD and shares useful insight on how she overcame themCamille BouThe London School of Economics and Political Science
Fostering freedom in PhD students: how supervisors can shape accessible paths for doctoral researchClive Palmer looks at alternative approaches to PhDs that open postgraduate research to more candidates – for professional development, career change or just love of learningClive PalmerUniversity of Central Lancashire
Lessons from students on effective research supervisionRichard Godwin shares lessons in effective research supervision based on his former students’ feedbackRichard GodwinHarper Adams University
