1 “What I know now that I wish I’d known when I started” or
“Its your journey”
Anja DaltonRBI PGR welcome event: Mon 20th February 2012
My journey
Topic: exploratory study to understand gender differences and social influence in cycling
3 yr f/t EPSRC funded project (Dec ‘08 – Nov ‘11) (+1 yr p/t s/f prior to that – on different topic)
Cross-disciplinary team & fields:Health: Dr Jane Powell (DoS), Dr Paul PilkingtonTransport: Prof. Graham Parkhurst (CTS)
Part of iConnect consortium (www.iconnect.ac.uk) which aims to evaluate the Sustrans' Connect2 programme (www.sustransconnect2.org.uk)
Me; mature, married, ENFJ (Idealist)
2
The Highs
Freedom (ways of working, practicalities, pursuing your interests)
Excitement: new ideas, new challenges, growth, changing your expectations of yourself
Contributing to knowledge Working with others: run reading group, peer
support group, social activities, part of an active group, learning from others
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The Lows
Workload (deadlines, juggling, waiting for feedback) Financial pressures Time for others in your life & for you to do what you
enjoy (different balance for everyone, need to find yours)
Difficulties of work – timescales, problem solving, ‘feeling your way’, getting over anxiety of not knowing
People challenges; negotiations with supervisors, interference or isolation,
4
Cross-disciplinary Challenges
Most PGR’s work across disciplines to some extent
Can’t keep everyone happy all the time Different ways of viewing the same thing;
more creative, but more challenges ‘Belonging’ & ‘ownership’ important Allow time to create different relationships
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Opportunities everywhere?
Take advantage of opportunities for growth & development: training, development & other opportunities
UWE, Vitae, Summer schools, seminars, conferences, teaching, papers, etc
Leadership in Action & GradSchool (but beware costs! time, getting side-
tracked, financial)
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Expect change / always have a Plan B! A few of the things which have changed in
the course of my PhD: Supervisory arrangements Methodology (mixed-method to
qualitative) Mode Timescales/University
culture
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Enjoy your journey!
Thank you for listening
Anja DaltonPhD Research StudentDept. of Health & Life
Sciences/Centre for Transport & Society
T: 0117 328 3025E: [email protected]