Thanks for the replies - I hadn't tried Singapore but the censorship there is probably worse than Bangkok to be honest :/

So basically the advice is to try and stay in the UK and get published and hope to hell something opens up rather than shift one's life to the other side of the world? Is lecturing in Thailand really seen in that light?

It would be lecturing in the humanities but, yes, of course, there is censorship to consider over there. I don't necessarily *mind* staying apolitical over there - it isn't my country and having been to Thailand twice I'm well aware that much of the population is not entirely warm to white 'farang' men and women anyway! I'm more bothered about my own country and the creeping xenophobia/ flag waving and demonisation of the poor and immigrants.

But, basically, this wouldn't help me in academia? If that is the case I don't really want to go. There's no point in spending a year out there and returning to further unemployment.

I completed my PhD Viva almost a year ago now and despite passing I have had no luck at all with jobs. I don't actually know if I want to pursue academia anymore - it seems to me it is very hard to get a fulltime job. I was lucky to get funded for my PhD so I didn't lose anything (except four years I can't get back) but my uni offered me no teaching experience and I am seriously broke now and no one else will employ me. I take my PhD off my CV for other jobs but seems at 37 I have little experience in the 'real world' as I freelanced for so long in other things.

So I have a chance to lecture in Thailand and I'm wondering if anyone has any advice. My big worry is what I would be coming home to - more job searches/ unemployment in the UK? And of course the move over there and living under a censorious military dictatorship.

Any advice appreciated.

Hey all,

I hope someone can help me. I'm at a UK university funded to do a PhD. I'm in my second year and having problems and my advisor is not really entirely helpful - I dare say he has taken very little interest in my studies over the past year in fact!

Consequently, I just received notice that I need to hand in a new piece of work which will determine if I am to be degraded to an MPhil in my final year.

I have a few questions:

* If the worst came to it and I walked away from this would I have to pay back the funding given to me so far by the university?

* Does my funding continue for the final year if I am "only" working towards an MPhil?

* Would working towards an MPhil involve handing in a dissertation or would I need to attend classes?

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help.