Ps. I remember applying for funding and it being like the complete unknown - and no step by step instructions anywhere! You sort of learn as you go. So yes - there are different options. In my experience, you apply for funding via the university most often. So usually you do it through following the instructions on the websites I posted above for example (once you find an opportunity of interest) or through following instructions on the university's own website. Or sometimes things are a little less official - for example if it is departmental funding it may not even be advertised.

There are of course charities etc, as you've mentioned. And it is definitely worth contacting them and trying to sell your idea to them too. It may be that one of them is willing to part fund you, and then you would want to apply for the other part of the funding from a research council in a "case collaboration" scheme, or from another charity or fund. This can be a really good option but has some drawbacks too (e.g., trying to please lots of people with slightly different interests). Here is info on case collaborations: http://www.rcuk.ac.uk/Publications/policy/framework/casestudies/Collaborativefunding/

I would suggest looking at the findaphd.com and jobs.ac.uk websites (posted above) for opportunities (as well as the uni websites themselves), and also asking the potential supervisors who have so far liked your proposal if they can suggest sources of funding (e.g., research council or otherwise).

Hope this helps!

Ps. I think law may be a cross-over area - so both ESRC and AHRC may be viable... depending on your specific topic:

http://www.esrc.ac.uk/files/funding/guidance-for-applicants/interfaces-between-the-arts-and-humanities-and-the-social-sciences/

Hi bignige

You can search on here by university or by subject for projects (some of which are funded):

And on here for the same:
Sorry if you already have this info.

Another idea - those academics who have said they like your proposal may know of available funding. For example - sometimes there is departmental funding, or at least part funding.

Personally, I wouldn't care about the idea of others looking down on you if you are self funded. But acquiring funding is a good idea for obvious reasons (save your own pocket) and some less obvious ones (e.g., a good indication that your proposal is of the highest quality, good idea to start applying for funding now as it is similar to the grant applications you'll be doing later if you stay on in academia).

Good luck with it.

Thanks all : ) I am a year away from submission. Too early to begin planning?

Hi there

I would be interested in hearing accounts of how your viva examiners were selected, e.g., whether you had a say/your supervisors chose them, did you know them beforehand, if so in what capacity, were they very familiar with your line of research etc. I'm starting to think about this now and am keen to get some insight as to how it all works/what might be best.

Thanks in advance!

Tudor

Congrats! I agree - it is quite a reflexive process isn't it!

I wonder if StevenErrico and JonBHarris will have anything else to contribute on this forum. Maybe I'm pre-judging.

Excellent advice from tru. Try to keep calm and ask around - I'm sure they'll be someone willing to take you on (and who has a better record of behaviour than your previous supervisor). Good luck.

Hi Gigi, Sorry to hear about this. It sounds like terrible treatment and is no wonder you have been feeling so bad. One thing came to mind when I was reading this. Is there an academic you trust and could talk to confidentially? It might be helpful to get some advice and leadership from someone in the department perhaps. They may have suggestions that could help, eg getting another supervisor on board or attending meetings with you so that this sort of abuse cannot happen, or maybe something more drastic like changing supervisors completely (even at this late stage this is what I personally would do...). Know that you are not alone. Please try find someone who may be able to assist rather than quitting - as you are quite near the end by the sounds of it, and why should you have to quit because of someone else's unprofessional and bullying behaviour. All the best and hope this is a tiny bit helpful. Tudor

Hi suji_menon

Good for you for making the change. Is it going well with your new supervisor?

I kind of know what you mean - my experience wasn't half as bad - but when I see the name of my ex supervisor I do feel sick.

Hope someone will have some advice for you. I'm wondering if perhaps therapy might help you, or perhaps reading up on it? It is unlikely you'll find examples like yours (i.e. about a supervisor-student relationship) on general websites, but there might be some strategies and advice about dealing with, for instance, when you bump into an abusive ex partner. That could be applied possibly?

All the best.

Hi Chaotic - wow - I guess it must be region specific - as this definitely isn't the case where I am. Unless it is stipulated in the guidance but actually not adhered to in practice? Thanks for sharing.

In my experience (ESRC funded) a masters definitely is not a requirement. I know people who went straight from undergrad to PhD on research council funding, and very recently too. I was advised to do this, but went for 1+3 (and am very glad I did as that masters training has been my bedrock).

You may have to be very patient and also consider alternative ways of getting funding, as grades do matter when it is so competitive. Could you turn that dissertation into a paper? Could you find a sponsorship and go for a CASE collaboration scholarship?

So as a conclusion I think that I will value the fact that:
- I have the main supervisor who is invested in me and will provide me a reference
- Although I have no respect for those two people, some of their input might be useful. Therefore, I should just value it and pay no attention to the source – treat them as anonymous reviewers – annoying but necessary (I think someone suggested something like this)
- I stand to gain here – a PhD and some papers
- Although the set up is certainly not ideal it is 1000 times better than the previous situation (see previous posts if interested!)

However, I will also be assertive about things though going forward. I have to be able to respect myself at the end of the day.

Thanks those who pointed out the other side of things too – a reference isn’t necessarily the be-all and end-all. I know people who have managed fine in dodgy reference situations. I totally agree about how this culture of fear (largely because of the unknown) allows those who know less about the system to be mis-used. It is also a context that can reveal who has some character and who doesn’t… i.e., who is willing to abuse their power and who simply will not… which is interesting but another topic for another day!

Thanks everyone. I can’t reply to everyone individually but here is my response:

Yes – a real variety of responses – but that’s what’s so great about this forum! I think that part of the variance in the types of advice given probably arises from the fact that it is hard to convey the situation as it is – and so people have their own different ideas about what is going on and advise accordingly.

Just to clarify:
- The main supervisor (glorified tutor as put by Bewildered – and this is correct) will write me an excellent reference – there is no doubt about that – as she has recently done so for something else; she is very senior (more senior than the others and yes holds the intellectual rights)
- The reason why she acts as a glorified tutor rather than giving input is because: she is at the same time as protecting my interests also protecting the interests of the two supervisors – who gave input to my PhD for the first 2 years and will not want to lose the credit for it (fairly so – one could say). She is a very skilled manager of people and I agree that this set up can make sense.
- The real issue is just when it comes to the nuts and bolts of it – the interactions by email. I have lost all respect for these two people and so communicating is trying (especially when I am being treated badly in my view – being blanked in the corridors by the best friend of one of them who also happens to be my advisor - the person you are supposed to be able to go to for advice and support!)
- This isn’t about the criticism of my work – I enjoy substantive criticism – it challenges you and ends up improving the quality of your work. I don’t receive much of it (it is more just “change that word”, “remove that sentence” type of thing), which I guess is good if it means that my work is good

I can't stress enough how helpful it is to share things on here and get your input. Even just saying about how my main supervisor who, although she has no input to the thesis, will write me an excellent ref and is invested with me makes me think - ok - that is all that matters. Just grin and bear the rest - it will be over one day. I think that is what the majority of people are suggesting here on this forum too. : )