PhD work requires a mixture of productivity and creativity, but they require opposite approaches, and you cannot do both at the same time.

The longer you leave it, the more difficult it is to come back and reestablish the PhD as part of your life, but there are some simple steps you can take…

Is it possible to be happy while you write your thesis?

You need logical, rational thought and you need processes and procedures to get a PhD done. But there is no denying that emotion plays a huge role in a PhD too..

In order to understand academic literature, first you need to know that academic journal articles are written by real people…

The complete module 1 of the Painless PhD course is now available, covering the basic principles you need to succeed in your PhD, including; What is a PhD for and how does it differ from other types of academic qualification? Why very smart people struggle when they reach PhD level The keys to success in [...]

The warning signs of PhD stress, and why you should not ignore them.

Academic writing is a major challenge for many PhD students. Of course it’s a big topic and there are a lot of technicalities to consider, but there is also a fundamental principle which makes the whole process easier

The ultimate aim of research is to go beyond what is already known. This is one reasons why it is so attractive; there’s a kind of romantic image of the pioneer at the frontier of human knowledge, that your work will contribute something which will ultimately change the world. But there is a counter-side to [...]

What is a PhD? It is the entrance qualification for the world of professional academia, designed to test if you are capable of conducting academic research.

November is Academic Writing Month (#AcWriMo). If you’re taking part, read these tips and warnings first!