That's the problem. It's so vague that I don't know what they want to hear! It's all done and sent off now though so fingers crossed!

The Equality Act 2010 does cover education providers. Here is a link to the relevant information. It is a long document but you can see in the index which bits are relevant. I hope this helps.

Has anyone got any tips for writing a covering letter for a research assistant post in history/humanities. I've done my CV and there is no application form just a covering letter. There isn't any real person specification and they are not asking for a very specific PhD ie focused on the subject of the project but it seems more they want someone with the transferable research skills. Thanks.

Thanks Elsie, I did just what you suggested and got a very positive reply encouraging me to apply, which was great. I agree about having your own research ideas and also the vague ad meaning they don't have someone in mind is encouraging as well. I got a job once for which the person specification looked like my CV and I found out later as they already knew me they had earmarked me already.

Gosh, I haven't been on here for a while since getting my PhD but now I've seen an amazing post-doc position I want to apply for. However there is no person specification and it's a bit vague about what they want. My PhD isn't in the subject under research but is gender based and is in the right time period. They are asking for someone who might have expertise in lots of different areas - regions, time periods, disciplines. So this makes me think the transferrable skills are more important and it looks like the successful person will be able to research their own area of interest but linked to the project aims. I want to contact the PI informally but don't really know what to ask.
Also would you be expected to know exactly what research you wanted to do or would this be something that would develop within the project.

That's brilliant news. Congratulations. Since i finished i haven't been looking on the forum as much but I kept checking back to see how you were doing. I'm so pleased you have got the positive outcome you deserve.

Dr Corinne, you are a life-saver. I can get my corrections done and dusted now. Thanks and a Happy New Year to you.

I'm just finishing off my final corrections and in my bibliography there is a reference which has page numbers missing. I don't have the book anymore, live 200 miles from my university and the nearest university library doesn't have the book. I've googled and amazoned and everything I can possibly think of but can't find anything which will give me the page numbers for the chapter I want.
I wondered if anyone was in a library and could get access to Cross, Claire, and P. S. Barnwell, Mass and Parish in Late Medieval England, you could find the page numbers of the chapter 'The Mass in its Urban Setting'. I would be so grateful.
Or do you think I should just not bother and hope the internal doesn't notice?
Thanks.

Congratulations! Well done on the job too.

Congratulations. It's a great feeling isn't it?

I finally had my viva yesterday and I was so nervous. It was a weird numb feeling as if I was going to the gallows!
But it went better than I could ever have hoped. It only lasted an hour and twenty minutes. My external examiner was absolutely lovely and was so complimentary about my work and encouraged me to publish as soon as possible.
I loved that she kept saying everything I had done gave the thesis 'PhDness'.
It was also a relief to be told that it was a pass before they started the discussions which put me at my ease.
Obviously, I've got some minor corrections but I was expecting major.
Thank you to everyone on this forum for helping me get through the whole PhD process with your advice, support and encouragement.
If I can do it then there is hope for everyone.
I celebrated yesterday with copious amounts of champagne, a chinese banquet and a night in a swanky hotel. and this morning I woke up and it wasn't a dream.

I've just been asked if I would object to there being an independent chair in my viva on Friday. The e-mail says
"The Chair is not involved with the examination itself, and is there to ensure that the viva is conducted correctly.
We would suggest this given the wait you have had for your viva."

I just wondered if anyone had had any experience of this. I'm not sure whether to say yes or not.

Thanks

Me...analysing too much...never!

I know this is daft but can I read anything in to the fact that my viva is on a Friday afternoon. (No is the answer I am sure).
Maybe they know it will all go smoothly and everyone can get away early on a Friday for a splendid weekend. Or maybe they don't want to be around after in case ...in case i don't know what!

I'm in panic mode but I have bought highlighter pens and read some stuff on vivas so I will be calm when I sit down properly to go through things.

It looks hopeful that I will be offered some hourly teaching at a nearby uni in my subject but I wondered what the going rate was for hourly tutors.