Research and Innovation Services

This PhD Life

This PhD Life is a one-day online symposium held twice every year (October and January). It comprises of short talks from current PGRs and ECRs. Speakers share their experiences and top tips relating to the PhD experience with Q&A. All PGRs are welcome, especially those who are beginning their PhD journey.

This PhD Life

What insider knowledge do you wish someone had told you at the start of your PhD?  

We have a range of talks from navigating your first academic conference to advice from an international student. This really is your how-to guide on being a PGR. We also have top tips on balancing your PhD with academic jobs as well as practical advice for mental health and organising your time.

Call for Papers (October 2023)

What insider knowledge do you wish someone had told you at the start of your PhD? How to make the most of conferences?  How to navigate your literature review?  What it’s like to teach for the first time?  How to deal with changes in your project?  How to have a happy relationship with your supervisor? 

We'd like to invite current doctoral and early career researchers to share their experiences with our new first years at This PhD Life. This would be a great opportunity to reflect on how far you’ve come, to try out presenting online, and to make a real difference to the experience of new PhD students. 

We’re looking for talks of around 10-15 minutes. We want to know what worked, what didn’t work, what you learned, and how that can benefit new researchers.  We also welcome alternative formats, such as slideshows, digital posters, short videos, or infographics. For example, you might talk about:

Follow the hashtag on social media #ThisUofGPhDLife during the event for updates.

Recordings from our previous symposia are available below, and on our Researcher Development Training Resources Moodle.