On what grounds would they stop you leaving? If you are a lab-based PhD and haven't completed the work, then yes I can see why they may have a problem. But most supervisors are acutely aware that funding runs out and people have to move etc...

What would his motivation for making you stay be?

Just a quick question - and this is not meant to be critical of certain practices, rather an honest query - but what is the benefit of a photo with a CV? As MissSpacey implied, surely this hardly fits with discrimination laws (no-one too hideous, no-one overweight), and more seriously for example what if a person has a more 'visible' disability (more serious than ugliness), such as Downs' Syndrome or being blind? This would be extremely clear on a photo, but not from a CV...

Ok, sorry I tried to resist saying the obvious, but I just have to...

It depends how hot you are!!!

Oh the shame!

Hello people!



I applied for a research job back in January at a very well respected Uni, not in the slightest thinking they would consider me. Anyway, I didn't get the job as they wanted someone to start asap, and they appointed someone with a PhD whereas I'm a good six months off that still, but the woman whose project appointed the researcher got in touch with me to say that they loved my application, and hoped to get me for interview at a later date.



Today, I got an email from her to say that they would like me to go for an 'informal' interview and offered a few dates over the next month. We decided I'd go in a couple of weeks (3rd June), but I have absolutely no idea what to expect. She emphasised that it was an informal chat with her and the Researcher she appointed over me about "possible future collaborations" with me, but did note that a job would be available in the new year also. They were very nice and friendly, they're arranging my travel for me, and have promised to take me to lunch as their guest, but what should I do as prep? Would you do the same as for a normal interview? What should I wear? (Given the interview is 200 miles and a 3 1/2 hour train journey, all I've worked out is that I should probably have a hairbrush and some extra make up in my bag!)



HHHEEEEELLLLLLLLLPPPPPPPPPPP!

What? That is really quite bizarre. How did you get the job in the first place, did you not sign any form of contract? Is there no Head of Dept who employed you who could do something on your behalf?

Payaljk

I don't know if you've noticed yet but we are NOT interested in your garbage!!! Go away

Wow supergenius you've been in a bit of a strop haven't you?

It is perfectly legitimate to change subject areas, especially at Masters rather than PhD level. You may need to do some additional reading at the start to make sure you are on top of things, but most unis will be happy to take you as long as you show real motivation (so you do need to be far clearer on what you actually want).

My undergrad was a mix of language (an obscure one), literature and history, my MA was International Relations, the dissertation for which ended up being in ethical and political philosophy (and yes I got a distinction for it). My PhD is now political philosophy with sociology and human geography, and I am doing very well at it. So if people are patronising enough to say you can't successfully move disciplines, then they are being rather narrow-minded (rather sad from a postgraduate)

Fantastic news Dr W... lovely to know your viva went so well, and thanks on behalf of all of us for the tips...

What are your plans now, apart from catching up with what has been going on in the rest of the world for the past few years!?!?

No being called a 'student' is not in itself such a bad thing, but it does to an extent undermine the 'student' themselves, the implication being that there opinion is of less worth (that being subjective) than a 'real' academic. Today I met an academic at another Uni without a PhD (he was also only young; probably mid-thirties); he was appalled that I could be treated as a student given that despite his hefty publication record I am at least if not more qualified than him.

Furthermore, I think referring to someone as a student is often part of a wider culture of academic hierarchism. My dept is one of those that firmly believes PhDers are still students despite the fact that most of us teach - in fact they often treat undergrads more favourably than us as they see the more often! There is endemic maltreatment of PhDers from staff that goes to a deeper level than calling us 'students' (harrassment (sexual), gossiping (extremely malicious) and rumour spreading that undermines the status of PhDers (staff spread a completely false rumour that a PhD who teaches had sex with a student in a Uni building)); but this goes hand-in-hand with our status as students. If staff see us as distinct from, and distinctly less than, them they do not see it as a problem to mistreat PhDers.

Blooming 'eck, this is bang on the money!

Your Dress Says You're Timelessly Stylish

Your Personal Style:

Funky and a bit retro. You draw from a lot of inspirations, but you always look put together.

Your Ideal Wedding:

A simple outdoor wedding with a few close friends.

Your Philosophy on Marriage:

Marriage is a journey. It's not all about who you're married to. It's also about how you approach it.

Your Perfect Marriage:

Has lots of open communication, flexibility, and understanding. Where both people are happy to give more than get.

Hi VeryPoor

Not to be rude, but I don't think you've actually understood the problem. I am, firstly, concerned for the welfare of a friend. As I emphasised several times in my post, she's a good friend not just a flatmate. Secondly, do you honestly expect me to work in the library at 1am? The issue is, as I mentioned, its a ground floor flat. Not to get into too much technical detail but my room is by the front door - taxis and doors banging wake me up. Yet that is not the main issue, its about the fact my friend may be getting herself into trouble (and if this happens more often and the neighbours complain we both may get into trouble with the Landlord as he lives next door), and if you read through all the posts there's also a safety issue, both hers given that these are random men that she won't introduce to her friends; and that of the flat as a whole given the prowler we had a couple of weeks ago.

To everyone else, thanks for your help - means a lot as always!

Um, am I the only person here fairly offended by MH's comment? Referring to 'women' as a homogeneous group with negative character traits is hardly the critical mind of a PhD student - and extremely insulting.

I'm with you 'Bug - the OP reaction to Bewildered's accurate and realistic post was a bit OTT. Saying that, this happens every year at this time, lots of disappointed applicants and the posters on this forum get a bad case of Shoot-the-Messenger. mature.

Hey guys

Thanks for the advice. I haven't said anything to her yet, as she knows I'm unhappy (and does it anyway), and I think however I phrased it, she would see it as criticism. I've thought about moving out: part of me thinks that 1) if I don't move out it we will have a blazing row and we'll stop being friends - plus it will become seriously problematic for my PhD; 2) if I do move out she'll also see it as criticism of her, and it'll have the same impact on our friendship - plus I won't be able to keep check on her the way I can now.

Just one more thing - a week or so ago at around midnight/1am a guy banged on my bedroom window asking to be let in; when I didn't he kept asking me to flash him, and carried on doing so whilst I was on the phone to the police to report the incident. I did not recognise him at all, but he seemed to know my name. My flatmate was away at her mum's as it was her birthday... that's why I'm ever more reluctant to have a trail of guys in the flat. I can't say it had anything to do with my flatmate, but I am certainly suspicious.

Sorry, but I'm one of those annoying people who think boxing should be banned (even though Hatton lives round the corner from my dad!)