Category: PhD
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What is my PhD about? (In simple terms)
This blog is inspired by a blog post from PhDemi, where she says that she feels that in order for her research to be useful, it must be understandable – and I couldn’t agree more! Much of academia is inaccessible to the general population because hidden away behind walls of unnecessarily confusing language. Not only…
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From First Draft to First Author: My Journey to Publishing in an Academic Journal
I’ve recently reached a huge milestone in my PhD journey: publishing my first ever first-author paper in an academic journal. For many academics, seeing your research in print is a proud and defining moment, and I can confirm it feels every bit as rewarding as I’d hoped. The journey to get there isn’t always straightforward,…
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Finding Calm in the Chaos: How I Stay Motivated as a PhD Student
Recently, I had the chance to speak at the 2025 BCS SIGiST conference, where the theme was “Finding Calm in the Chaos.” It really resonated with me, because so much of the PhD experience is exactly that: balancing freedom and flexibility with the uncertainty and disarray that often come with it. The conference made me…
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Reaching for the Stars: My Week at the European Space Agency
I imagine that taking off in an aeroplane is nowhere near as exhilarating as blasting off into space on top of a rocket. But if any flight were to come close, it would be the one taking me to the European Space Agency to fulfill a lifelong dream. This was me on the 5th May…
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Good things I read or saw this month – April 2025
This post was inspired by a similar blog post by Beth Marshall from the start of 2024, so I’ve had this layout sat in my drafts for a good while! This month, I’ve come across a few cool articles, books, events and tools that I wanted to share, and also bookmark things for my future…
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PhD Reflections: 1 Year In
It’s official: I’m a second year PhD student..! What a surreal thought that is. I made it through my first year. I am now no longer a rookie student. I’m letting that sink in a bit as a write this blog. Finishing the first year of my PhD fills me with immense pride and motivation…
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How to Prepare for a PhD Interview: A Practical Guide
So, you’ve got a PhD interview coming up—congrats! You’ve been invited to present in front of a team of professors, lecturers, and researchers. The interview isn’t just about proving your intelligence (your CV already does that); it’s about demonstrating enthusiasm, motivation, and whether you’d be a good fit for the team. What’re some of the…
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One Giant Leap for StudentKind: Top Tips from my First Conference as a PhD Student
Last week I attended the 75th International Astronautical Congress in Milan to present a paper I worked on about smart maintenance of satellites. This was the first conference I’d ever attended as a PhD student, as well as being the first time I’d ever presented a piece of academic work! Having never been to a…
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PhD Reflections: 6 Months In
If you’re reading this, then that means I have passed my 6 month review for my PhD! (Phew!) Looking back over the last 6 months, I have learned so much! I feel like I’m finally starting to settle into the rhythms of a PhD and getting used to the cycle of academic life. It feels…
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So, you’re thinking about doing a PhD…
When I was considering applying to start a PhD, I had a lot of questions. Having been out of university for 5 years by the time I applied, I wasn’t sure where to start. I didn’t know what I didn’t know! So inspired by that, and some conversations with my fellow PhD students Agathe and…
She Codes the Cosmos 