A year in the life of a PhD student

Issued: Fri, 23 Jul 2010 13:29:00 BST

Festive Night Out Fri 11th Dec 2009

On the 11th Dec the PhD students in the Faculty of Education decided to reward themselves for all their hard work by having a lovely meal together at the 'Paradise Restaurant' in Great Western Road. For many of us it was the first time we had all been able to get together in a social context and really get to know each other. The celebrations went on well into the wee hours with drinks and dancing at a nearby club. A great night was had by all!

Graduate School Mini Conference Sat 12th Dec 2010

Despite some bleary eyes from the night before(see above), the first Graduate School Mini Conference of the semester went ahead and proved to be a great success. The mini conferences are held as a platform for current students present their research to a listening audience and receive feedback, help and guidance. Both fellow PhD students and Faculty staff attended the first mini conference which was highlighting the work of two of our RKTGs (Research and Knowledge Transfer Groups) Lifelong Learning, Place and Engagement and Interdisciplinary Science Education, Technologies and Learning. Vanessa Rasoamampianina and Karen Calpin, both latter stage PhD students, and Amina Kamando a first year student, delivered presentations which outlined their progress and vision for their research projects. It was an excellent opportunity to really get to know the inspiring research which is going on at the Graduate School of Education.

British Council Visit to Bangladesh March 2010 - by Muhammad Ashraf, 2nd Year PhD Student

I’ve been involved with one of the British Council's Exchange Project in Bangladesh . I went to Dhaka (the capital of Bangladesh ) for 9 days in March, 2010. I went as part of a group of about 10 people who went there representing Scotland . We visited Bangladesh through different educational, health and peaceful coexistence projects. We went to the villages and saw the village life and the people working hard to bring there life up to a standard. We were invited for some fashion shows and cultural dances, Bangla food etc. During my 9 days I saw so many moving things, especially the street children who were given no chance to go to school or any other training programmes. I was surprised with the talent and enthusiasm of the children in the slums when I played football and cricket with them. The trip was very nice and productive and has made me think about working for the disadvantaged, no matter whoever they are or wherever they are from.

Second Graduate School Mini Conference Thurs 4th March 2010

The second student led conference got underway at the beginning of March. Several very anxious and nervous PhD students took their place in front of a audience of both staff and fellow students. This conference highlighted the work and research done by two other RKTGs, Social Inclusion and Global Justice and Pedagogy, Policy and Practice. Seven current PhD students presented their on going research which covered a variety of issues including the relationship between Islamic extremism and religious schools in Pakistan, gender and it's role on online networking sites and English language policies in Pakistani Universities. The conference was again a great success and many of the presenting students felt pleased that they were able to communicate their research in a supportive environment.

The Magical Mystery Tours 2010

Some of our International students have caught the exploring bug and have been venturing all across Scotland in search of that elusive authentic Scottish experience, the day trip (would that be the midges or the damp I wonder ?) They have been organising day trips on Sundays and inviting all PhD and research students to join them (even the native ones!) Days out include catching the ferry from Ardrossan Harbour to visit the beautiful Ilse of Arran, a train ride to Leuchars to explore the magical Kingdom of Fife at St Andrews, a trip to Aberfeldy in Perthshire and an adventure in Ayr. Everyone who makes it back (only kidding Gail doesn't make you walk that far does she?) has said they have been great experiences and feel it has been brilliant discovering what Scotland has to offer outside Glasgow.

International Lunch Mon 8th Feb 2010

A few times per year the PhD students along with Dr Kate Reid, one of our Graduate Advisors, organise a get together to which everyone brings a dish which typically represents their home country. February's lunch was held in the Postgrad office up on the 7th floor (also known as the 'Penthouse') and it provided an opportunity for all of us to taste some wonderful food from all around the world and get together socially and chat about what's going on. We were lucky enough to enjoy Amina's wonderful plantains from Tanzania, Vanessa's georgeous spicy mangoes from Madagascar, Habib's tasty chicken from Pakistan and Humaira's super spicy Arabic dish 'Chappal Kabab' Yum Yum!

Muhammad's Party March Sat 13th 2010

Muhammad, aka Dr Ash, decided to through caution to the wind and invite his fellow PhD students round to his flat for an evening of good food, international music and some well organised dancing! We were treated to a fantastic buffet which included spicy pakora, sumptuous rice and some tasty desserts. Afterwards, the music came on and the lights went down and everyone joined in on the dance floor (a big space created in the middle of the living room). Some serious shapes were being thrown and we have the photos to prove it!

Advanced Research Methods (ARM) Class May 2010

In order to develop as researchers PhD students of the Graduate School attend compulsory research classes which are taught by Dr Nicki Hedge (our guru and mentor!) The classes have proved very popular and have allowed students to focus on the big issues concerning their research including methodology, epistemology and the role of theory. There has been several evening sessions and two full day Saturday workshops which have allowed students to express their concerns and communicate their ideas to peers. The ARM classes are invaluable to first year PhD students as well as those who are further on in the process and we thank Dr Hedge for her unwavering support and guidance.

Ulrike Woitsch at the University of Melbourne, Australia 2010

G´day! I am currently studying as a Universitas 21 exchange student at the Faculty of Education at Melbourne University. I came here in January 2010 and will stay until August 2010 – in order to conduct my research, for which I found Melbourne the perfect location – it is so multicultural! At the moment, I am still interviewing students but hope to finish data collection soon, to have some more time to see Australia. I got really fascinated from Australian animals and nature and finally to get used to ride my bicycle with a helmet :). In general, it is a great place to be – for both living and studying and to meet different people from all over the world.

Graduate School International Lunch 1st June 2010

Students and staff came together to celebrate the end of a successful year in the Graduate School of Education. As usual we were spoiled by the array of delicious food cooked by both international and home students. The lunch gave everyone a chance to catch up with each other before many head off for summer holidays or return to their home countries. It was great that so many of the research supervisors came too which reflects the level support they give their students all year round. Dr Niamh Stack (Head of the Graduate School) offered her thanks to all the research students for making this academic session 2009-2010 a productive and fruitful year.

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