As you know, the Whisperer specialises in publishing stories from people doing a PhD which offer useful ways to understand research degree study.
These stories are always popular because they are authentic. They speak about the experience of research degree study in all it’s messy glory. Stories are an excellent way to learn. They help us see how dull, stale lists of do’s and don’ts can be put into practice and learn from those who have walked the road before and seen the potholes.
A forthcoming book from Aotearoa New Zealand by Chris McMaster & Caterina Murphy will take this story telling learing into print. Their ‘Post graduate guide: surviving and thriving’ will be full of first hand accounts by New Zealand research students and designed to help other students navigate the complex world of research degree study.
Recently Chris approached me to help edit an Australian version of the post graduate guide. Even though I have more than a full plate of projects, it was too interesting an offer to refuse… So, here is the call for chapters!
I’d love to see some Whisperer readers as contributors. I know a lot of you continue reading after you graduate. We’re looking for a mix of voices and experiences of research degree study – which I know you all have. I’m excited about the project and hope you will be too.
Read on for submission details.
Postgraduate study in Australia: Surviving and succeeding
Editorial team: Christopher McMaster, Caterina Murphy, Inger Mewburn, Ben Whitburn
This will be an edited book written for prospective and current postgraduate students by a mix of postgraduate students and those who have recently completed their doctorate. The premise is simple: if you could go back in time and talk with yourself when you began your studies, what advice would you give? Isn’t hindsight a bonus? If only I knew then what I know now!
Some possible examples include but are not limited to the following:
publishing as you write your thesis;
- being an indigenous student/conducting indigenous-focused research in a mainstream institution;
- co-supervision and cross-cultural interactions working with international students;
- networking;
- coping with a baby and parenting;
- having to advocate for specific personal needs;
- writing your thesis in a second language;
- auditing courses to support your study;
- making the most of distance study;
- studying while working full time;
- staying in a relationship;
- working with your supervisor;
- presenting your research (at conferences and seminars) and others.
This is not an exhaustive list, and please feel free to contact the editors to discuss other possible topics of interest.
What will set this book apart from any other on the market is its down-to-earth and practical approach. Furthermore, its novelty also lies in the fact that it is grounded in context of postgraduate studies in Australia – where you study and work.
If, based upon your own experiences of postgraduate studies, you have some advice to offer that you consider would help other postgraduate students, we would like to talk with you about it.
If you are interested in contributing a potential chapter please contact us at the email below with a proposed chapter title and a 300-500 word abstract about your topic.
Please specify if you wish to report a research study and the ethical requirements met for that study. Please also supply a little information about yourself in not more than 3 to 5 sentences.
Deadline for submission of interest: November 2, 2014
There will be a limited number of places, as we envisage the book will be 18-20 chapters of 3,000-4,000 words each.
Submit your abstract to the editors at: postgradaustralia@gmail.com
I’m just heading into honours and an avid follower and of ‘the thesis whisperer’ and love the idea of this edited book coming from locally based individuals having gone through relevant issues rather than something from the north
Amazing idea! I wish it was for UK students…could we put the initiative together?! All the best for this publication anyway!
I’m in Canada and would love to coordinate on an international volume!!!
That sounds great! I’m in US and will love to contribute.
Why not Laurence! Email us and we’ll talk 🙂
Hi there, I am thinking of participating but is this only for graduates in Oz? …
Yes – it’s going to be very country specific
What a great initiative! I will definitely try to submit an abstract!
Such a great idea! Shame students in the US can’t contribute. Let me know when you edit an edition on this side of the pond. 😀
Will do!
Please do. I’m in US, and I was a single mom during grad school. If I knew everything that I know now, life would have been so much easier…
I would also be interested to contribute to a UK iteration of this project…
I always thought that my journey in science would make a fascinating story. The numerous twist and turns, those numerous hurdles in my life that could not stop me to get what I want and eventually lead to the happy ending is worth sharing. I think I found the found the right platform to launch it. I will try to submit for sure.
Maybe the UK edition could be a UK and Ireland edition – or perhaps there could be a separate Irish edition … I’d love to contribute!
I would also contribute to a Uk edition
I would love to contribute to a UK version!
^ A lot of international students replying!
Are you only looking for chapter submissions, or smaller vignettes also?
chapters at this stage
Pity it’s only Oz. We need something like that here in the UK.
If there was to be a UK (or UK and Ireland) edition – I would love to contribute and I can think of a whole load of people who would probably be interested!
there is Alli! I’ll be posting a notice soon
what an awesome idea! I hope someone does something about distance study, I am planning to spend my last year on Campus (I live in Queensland and my University is in Perth). Have found I am at a point where being at a distance is a huge disadvantage. good luck!
I’ve just submitted my abstract – part time and distance ed! Fingers crossed…!!
And now I’ve resubmitted after getting some lovely feedback from Chris. 🙂
I’m intrigued about why you’re only interested in Indigenous research candidates in a mainstream institution? Also, I note that this is the only time on the Thesis Whisperer that ‘Indigenous’ seems to be used (presumably never been an article?) and it’s not capitalised.
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