Musings from the finish line

OrWhat I know now that I wish I knew when I started

Dr Graeme Whitehall FRPS

The Import(ance) of History and Modernity: Home,
Parish, and Imperial order in the photographic
representation of Simla 1860-1920.

Talk is cheap but invaluable

The Doctoral process (its pitfalls, opportunities,
neuroses) best understood by dialogue with fellow Phds
Talk to fellow Phd students at every opportunity
Go to events and residential opportunities
Dont forget online blogs and sites - especially for key
moments such as Viva

Take care of the Means and the

means will become Ends in
themselves - Mahatma Gandhi
It is important to break down the Phd into
manageable chunks
To focus on the immediate tasks
Enjoy success of completions RD1, Research Modules,
Progression viva etc
Successes transient ephemeral not necessarily tangible
rewards in the wider world so celebrate and
recognise each milestone

Progression viva
Opportunity not a threat
Feedback is everything
Guidance, focus, pitfalls of
your approach, inspiration,
direction, reassurance,
confidence
Understanding the nature
of a viva

Who are you writing

for?
Especially important for
inter-disciplinary research
Who is your audience? Director of Studies, Supervisor,
External Examiner, Internal
Examiner
What do they require for
you to succeed in achieving
doctorate?

The importance of Early

identification of Focus
80,000 words
generous but soon
evaporates
without focus
Lack of focus
costs time, money,
energy, agonising
and unnecessary
editing
Focus down as
early as possible

Im not worthy - The Phd student as

impostor syndrome
Most Phd students feel
they or their work will
not be good enough to
achieve a doctorate
That they are an
impostor
Important to recognise
your unique expertise as
it emerges.

Time is on our side

Accept that managing the
time the phd process
takes is not always in
your hands
Especially toward the end
of process - writing up &
awaiting viva

Be prepared for delays

psychologically and
financially

The Viva a moment to shine

Dont be fearful
More that just passing an
award
Feedback can be
electrifying

Tenacity
More than anything a Phd
requires tenacity
Patience
Commitment
Painstaking attention to detail

 and the ability to

enjoy it