Looking towards yet another submission extension, Cameron can see the end of 2020, but not of their thesis: After how many chapters and papers PhD thesis can be considered as ‘complete’? Dear Cameron, What do you mean chapters *and* papers?! In my vast experience examining PhD students, when they finally finish, they have chapters *or* papers (barely!). If you are fortunate to publish ...[Read More]
The Sassy Scientist – The Final Hurdle
While coming down from a caffeine-high after his online thesis submission, Giulio think about the next step: How should I prepare for my geodynamics PhD viva? Dear Giulio, I like how you omitted to specify if your viva is online or offline, but I am working under the assumption that everything happens in the virtual realm now. It seems unbelievable now that busy academics such as myself used to fl ...[Read More]
The Sassy Scientist – Snobs Away!
As lockdown eases in many places, Stefan is beginning to think of an academic future away from his sofa. He asks the question: How much does university ranking matter when choosing a PhD position? Dear Stefan, Choosing a PhD program is tough. It’s a bit like getting married: for better or worse, until death us do part, regardless of the toe nail clippings on the table or refusal to ever take ...[Read More]