OK - have read it. Thanks so much for sharing your experience. What you have said is really food for thought. You are right - there is an element of romanticism here - and possibly the frustration and disappointment I feel about how things have been is making me feel like doing something drastic. I think the more people I talk to, and who give me their honest take like that, the better. Hopefully I'll be able to make an informed decision about things and not end up feeling regret at either: a) completing the PhD in spite of everything or b) downgrading to MPhil in the hope of something better.

One thing that might be a different about me (just adding this in case it gives a better picture) is that I don't tend to be bothered by things that are issues to other people, such as fitting in or having acquired a status. My main drive is and always has been what's inside of me - what I'm learning and getting from a situation. Just putting that out there in case it makes the picture / advice people would give any different.

Oops - I have just seen your latest reply. Am now going to read that. :-)

This really does make me think. I guess it is this conflict: a PhD as a means to an end vs a PhD as an intellectual experience. I had been seeing it as a means to an end - you know - just get it done and move on asap. But then I began to think about what I had missed. And would I ever get the opportunity to have that again. Thanks for your comment - it really is making me think. The last thing I want is to make a decision I regret.

Thank you Eng. I am still very much unsure and trying to come to a decision. Just to clarify: an RA post not requiring a PhD would be my next step. From there, after a year or two or whatever time, I would want go on to find a way to get PhD funding. That is where I would expect to have intellectual freedom - not in the stepping stone RA role.

Does this affect your response in any way?

Probably! I put a sentence at the end of the results. Normally my results sections don't contain any interpretation, just stats.

Thanks! Got it done in the end. Prefer shorter abstracts!

Hi everyone,

Thank you all very much for your replies. I've started entertaining the idea of submitting my thesis for an MPhil. The reason... Well, I chose to do a PhD for one reason: for the intellectual challenge/ownership/personal growth/development of skills, thinking, writing, knowledge etc.

But things went wrong in supervision and project very early in the journey - and I was not empowered at that stage to leave and start a new PhD elsewhere. So I just plodded on. As a result, I am nearing the end of my PhD and have had no or little intellectual challenge/stimulation, am writing up for the sake of it, and barely even read papers anymore even. It is just crap. And if all goes to plan I will have a doctorate in a few months that means absolutely nothing to me.

Apparently, when doing a PhD you have a level of freedom in your research that you basically won't get at any other point in the academic career. I haven't had this... and if I just go on to do my viva and get a job, postdoc etc, I'll never get that chance again.

On the other hand, if I downgrade myself to MPhil, I will be free to find an RA job, get my foot in the door somewhere, get to know people I can work with, and apply for and do another PhD. I know it sounds crazy, but if you consider my motivation for doing a PhD then it actually makes perfect sense that I would want to do this.

Since my original post, I realised I have two trusted academics who I’ve recently worked with who would write me references. So my updated questions are: Is that all that matters for securing RA roles and possible future PhD funding? Or will I simply not be considered for things because I have an MPhil (signaling that I didn't complete a previous PhD)?

Thanks so much for taking the time to read this.

Tudor

Hello! Briefly - to clarify misunderstandings (I didn't explain properly). This is a joint effort - I analayzed the data under their supervision as they are more experienced in the analytic method. You're right - we need to have a conversation and agree on our "story". I'm actually only on the writing up the results bit and getting a bit ahead of myself (I like to have the whole paper mapped out in my head and use that to shape how I present the results - which is why I'm jumping ahead like this). I'll just chill out and write up the draft results section and then share them and suggest that we discuss the "story" for the paper. Cheers all!

Hello...
The abstract guidance for a conf I'm submitting to states "Prepare a 600-word abstract for each presentation that describes the material to be presented (introduction, hypotheses, study population, methods, results)."
Does this mean that I do not need to bother with a discussion / conclusions? Seems so odd!

Hi! Does anyone have an example of a long conference abstract, i.e., 600-1000 words long including figures and things? I don't think it is an extended one I'm looking for after all (apparently those are pages long).
Cheers!

Thanks folks :-)

Hello,

This is probably one of those questions that not many people will have insight to answer - as it is an odd. But basically, in a scenario where a) the person opted to downgrade to an MPhil, or b) was downgraded to Mphil on the basis of the viva, what would this mean for their references? I am wondering if in the b scenario at least they could expect to get good references for future academic jobs (albeit not ones requiring a PhD). Possibly even in the a scenario?

Any informed responses appreciated!

Thanks

Hello,

Does anyone there sometimes struggle to work with / for others when the work is shared and yet they are doing a task - such as analysis or writing up? I keep thinking is this what the person wants... rather than just being free and able to do what I'm good at without questioning myself. Any empathy if you've been through this before and/or strategies for dealing with this would be appreciated. I think I'm just so used to working by myself. I have no problem taking initiative usually.

It's darn annoying as I just need to get this thing written up. You know how there are so many little (and larger) decision which you take yourself when the work is fully yours - you know - not to present certain things for brevity... sometimes it is hard judging whether I can just go ahead and do something or need to check with the person I am working with first.

Ps. When I say working with, I mean in a student - supervisor capacity. But it's not my usual supervisor and I feel somewhat like I don't want to keep emailing them about small things. Especially as I will be first author on this piece. Can I just go ahead and do it how I want it, changing things somewhat from what was presented earlier, as she will then be able to comment on the draft and suggest/make further changes (or putting things back in) if she wants to?

Sorry for the lengthy ramble when it probably could have been two sentences. I'm tired!

Yes but for now maybe just celebrate your success in getting the RA role! It is great to have the opportunity to work at Oxford (some people will pooh pooh at me for saying that but so what - it is a very prestigious uni), and great that you will have the chance to be on papers as well. Keep your options open - you never know - it may lead to a funded PhD opportunity - i.e., when the RA post ends. That might be ideal if you like it there and have built good relationships with potential supervisors!

But yeh, for now, focusing on the RA job sounds good. Congrats!

Ps. An alternative situation is where someone does a part-time PhD and has a part-time RA role alongside it (usually for the purpose of paying for the fees and/or supporting oneself financially). I don't think this is what they were referring to in your interview though - it sounds more like the previous scenario I mentioned.