Bending Boundaries

PhD students often have to do an original piece of research. This involves designing a research project, doing the research, and then writing about what you’ve learned. There are so many different types of research and methods for doing it, including conducting interviews, surveys, and ethnography. In this episode, Ebru, Meghan and Seren talk about their experiences of running their own research projects as part of their PhDs. They discuss research methods, ethics, what it feels like to be in ‘the field’, finding participants and analysing the data collected.

In this episode, Ebru, Meghan and Seren talk about their experiences of working on various tasks alongside their PhDs. When doing a PhD, working on your project is just one of many activities that take up your time. You might be teaching, submitting papers for journals, reviewing others’ work, or applying to present at conferences. In this episode, we discuss how rewarding and challenging these different tasks can be, why they are important, and how PhD researchers are compensated for doing them.

In this episode, join Ebru, Meghan and Seren for a conversation about clothes, manners and etiquette in academia. We talk about the ways we present ourselves as PhD researchers in academic environments, at conferences, when teaching, over email, and on a standard day in the office. We also share some of our more challenging experiences, and talk about how we manage situations when we don’t get the reaction we’re expecting!

What is diversity and how do we encourage more diversity within PhDs We’re back for season 2! After a summer break Ebru, Seren and Meghan are back at it. In todays episode we focus on the aim of bending boundaries which is to encourage more diverse representation in PhDs. In the first episode of season 2 we are reflecting on how to encourage more people from diverse (academic) backgrounds to get into PhDs. We explore what diversity means to us and discuss why it is important to encourage more diversity within PhDs. We talk about some of the practical steps taken that have allowed ourselves to transition into a PhD, our experiences and how we think potential students could be encouraged to apply. The North West Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership is holding application workshops the dates and event links are listed below: Monday, November 13 10pm-12pm NWSSDTP Applicant Workshop: Are you a 'Global Majority' Candidate? https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/nwssdtp-applicant-workshop-are-you-a-global-majority-candidate-tickets-740094290947 Monday, November 13 1pm -3pm NWSSDTP Applicant Workshop: Returning to Academia? https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/nwssdtp-applicant-workshop-returning-to-academia-tickets-740094300977?aff=ebdsoporgprofile Tuesday, November 14 10 am- 12pm NWSSDTP Applicant Workshop: First in your family to go to University? https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/nwssdtp-applicant-workshop-first-in-your-family-to-go-to-university-tickets-740094270887?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

Join us on Bending Boundaries as we uncover the unique experiences of international PhD students. Delve into the challenges and transformative moments faced by multilingual scholars pursuing doctoral degrees abroad. In this episode, host Ebru has invited two guests to explore the complexities of navigating diverse cultures, academic expectations, and visa restrictions. They also shed light on the importance of destigmatizing the notion of rejection and mental health challenges within the academic community. In this episode we explore the power of intercultural competence and the empathy that arises from embracing diverse perspectives. We also delve into how being multilingual becomes a superpower in bridging cultural divides and fostering a collaboration academic environment. Whether you're an international PhD student seeking guidance on the application process or an advocate for mental health and diversity, this episode offers valuable insights and inspiration. Tune in to this two part episode of Bending Boundaries on Spotify and embark on a journey of the international PhD experience, where multilingualism, empathy, and breaking barriers are at the forefront

Join us on Bending Boundaries as we uncover the unique experiences of international PhD students. Delve into the challenges and transformative moments faced by multilingual scholars pursuing doctoral degrees abroad. In this episode, host Ebru has invited two guests to explore the complexities of navigating diverse cultures, academic expectations, and visa restrictions. They also shed light on the importance of destigmatizing the notion of rejection and mental health challenges within the academic community. In this episode we explore the power of intercultural competence and the empathy that arises from embracing diverse perspectives. We also delve into how being multilingual becomes a superpower in bridging cultural divides and fostering a collaboration academic environment. Whether you're an international PhD student seeking guidance on the application process or an advocate for mental health and diversity, this episode offers valuable insights and inspiration. Tune in to this two part episode of Bending Boundaries on Spotify and embark on a journey of the international PhD experience, where multilingualism, empathy, and breaking barriers are at the forefront

Bending Boundaries have decided to switch up the format going forward. We’re going to have interview episodes led by one host and discussion episodes with the three of us. This will be the first of our interview episodes. This week Meghan interviews Lyndon Ship and a PhD student researching the impact of climate change on how we sleep. In this episode, we discuss his research and also the theme of motivation. The PhD is a long process which requires perseverance and motivation. We discuss the long term and short term strategies that can help PhD students stay motivated.

Recently, hosts Ebru, Meghan and Seren have been experiencing various difficulties in our lives outside of academia that have disrupted our abilities to work on our PhDs. In this episode we want to reflect on how these difficulties have impacted us, our work, our views on academia, and how to manage future disruptions. It is inevitable to face some form of disruption along the PhD journey. We discuss just a few of those impacting us in the hope that it provides some reassurance and guidance to others. Get used to expecting the unexpected.

In this episode, hosts Ebru, Meghan and Seren talk about what it’s like to have a very personal connection to your research. A lot of researchers have some sort of personal relationship with their research, but a level of emotional ‘distance’ is expected within academic work. This can be especially difficult for researchers from marginalised backgrounds, who often study topics that relate to subjects such as inequality, injustice and hardship that they may have personally experienced. Our guest for this episode is Max Davies, who talks with Seren about their experience doing PhD research into gender creative parenting - a parenting style that they study as a researcher and employ themself as a parent. They also discuss the need for more open communication about the emotional, intimate and messy sides of research. You can find out what Max is up to on twitter: @MaxDavies_PHD

In this episode, hosts Ebru, Meghan and Seren discuss what it's like to do a collaborative PhD. They hear about the history of the Chinese community in Liverpool and the process of doing research with a non-academic organisation. Our guest for this episode is Emily Beswick, who talks with Meghan about her experience working in collaboration with the Tate and the local Chinese community for her PhD. Meghan and Emily also discuss migration, positionality and arts-based research methods.

In this episode, hosts Ebru, Meghan and Seren explore what it is like to go from working outside of a university to doing a PhD. They reflect on the challenges and triumphs that can come from this, especially for those who are underrepresented in academia. Our guest for this episode is Malika Ben Kahla, who talks with Ebru about her experience transitioning into academia after working in a number of very different roles for 10 years. Ebru and Malika also discuss Malika's research, exploring (in)equity in academia, particularly the experiences of women academics, and how to improve diversity and inclusion work within this space.

In the premier episode of Bending Boundaries, an Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) focused Podcast Series funded by the NWSSDTP, Seren Ebru and Meghan introduce themselves and their research. Seren discusses Welsh Language revival in Wales and their love of cold-water swimming. Ebru talks about how the socially constructed idea of Professionalism impacts Queer and Religious employees and the joys of fantasy novels. Meghan discusses how fatphobia influences how our cities are build, as well as her gameshow success.

Welcome to Bending Boundaries, a brand new Equality, Diversity and Inclusion focused podcast series sponsored by the NWSSDTP. With monthly guests, we aim to create a space for activism, and self-discovery through conversations that encourage equity and more diverse representation in doctoral education. This PhD-led EDI podcast series focuses on challenging the notion of the stereotypical social science PhD student by providing a platform for diverse PhD student voices to share experiences of deciding to apply for a PhD studentship, the application process, and life as a PhD student so far. Twitter: @bendingboundpod Instagram: @bendingboundariespodcast