The Third Degree [Empowering Post-Graduate Researchers]

In this episode, we unpack what it really takes to build a writing routine that genuinely works for you. Instead of chasing rigid productivity methods or obsessing over word counts, we explore how better self-awareness, environment, and realistic habits form the foundation of sustainable academic writing. We discuss why small, consistent steps matter far more than grand plans - and how momentum grows not from daily output, but from curating your ideas, nurturing clarity, and showing up in ways that support your wellbeing. This episode serves as a gentle reminder that good writing routines are crafted, not imposed!

In this episode, we unpack the myth that writing begins only when "you're ready"! Academic writing isn't a polished performance -- it's an exploratory process that helps shape your thinking from the very first rough notes through to the final draft and editing. By redefining what it means to be "ready to write", we open ourselves to the messy, creative, and essential work of developing ideas through writing itself.

November marks Academic Writing Month - a time to pause and reflect on our writing habits, challenges, and growth. In this episode, we explore what academic writing truly means beyond word counts and deadlines, recognising writing as an evolving process of thinking, questioning, and discovery. It's an invitation to revisit your goals, reinvigorate your momentum, and remember that every scribbled note, question, reflection, and paragraph is part of your research journey.

I couldn't let Mental Health Awareness Month pass without saying something, even if I'm extremely late to the party, especially something to help motivate others on their Doctoral journey. To say that I've been to hell and back in the past few months is an understatement, but it is so important for me to share my experiences and observations, and to offer any advice I can in order to help others take more control over their mental health.

Many candidates start a doctorate without fully understanding the workload and workflows involved. In this episode, I explore what we should typically expect from the doctoral journey, and offer some understanding as to how we use this to our advantage when planning.

Choosing to proceed with your doctoral journey is a huge decision, and one that shouldn't be taken lightly. The journey can be extremely rewarding, as well as frought with challenges. In this episode, I pose ten 'hard' questions that you should ask yourself before commencing your journey. Being realistic and honest with yourself in answering these questions will help you plan more effectively to enable your journey greater chances of success!

As we knock on 2025's door, taking time to reflect on our progress, achievements, and hurdles is certainly a good idea. Such reflection helps us on not only our research journey, but also with our personal and professional development. This episode explores some simple frameworks that we can use to reflect on our doctoral journey thus far, and to help us plan for the upcoming year.

Ethics approvals can appear daunting, but they really are not. Ethics is always a 'negotiation on a continuum' and your application for ethics approval is part of that negotiation. Yes, you are likely to get feedback and need to make amendments, so ensure you plan your documentation and timelines accordingly. This episode briefly explores the steps in the process, so that you can start getting yourself ready! Don't leave it to the last minute, because you need this before your data collection!

Undergraduate and many masters level programmes are structured. The student is told what to read, and how to progress. The PhD is very self driven though; you are in the drivers seat, and that responsibility can be quite daunting at first. In this episode we look at some key challenges and strategies to ensure a smooth transition, and to ensure that you are mentally prepared for your PhD journey, and ready to take ownership of the project!

A well-planned PhD journey saves time, reduces stress, and leads to more impactful outcomes. That's all good and true, but there are many traps that doctoral candidates can stumble into. In this episode, we explore several common pitfalls and how a candidate can mitigate and resolve them. We can't cover everything, but we can discuss key, commonly-agreed upon pitfalls to help you out!

Burnout is very real, and it is experienced differently by each of us. This episode touches on how PhD candidates may experience, cope with, and bounce back from episodes of burnout, both mental and physical health related. The PhD journey can be a particularly lonely one, and burnout doesn't always creep up. Somedays we feel fine, and the next day dread sets in and our energy levels have hit the floor. Whilst I can't offer foolproof solutions, I can get us started on sharing what works for us!

Whether you're faculty or a PhD candidate, at some stage you have to reflect on where you are going. Academic stagnancy, staying at one university for too long, may impact your career development. There are both advantages to, and drawbacks of, staying too long in a single spot. It's up to you however to weigh these out for yourself and your goals. A piece of advice though, if you have to stay put, make sure you don't stay still! Conversely, moving too frequently isn't going to do you any favours either!

I was fortunate to be able to teach before, during, and after my PhD. That opportunity shaped my thinking, my interest in, and skillsets associated with being in academia. I wouldn't change it for the world! In this episode, I share about the benefits and challenges of teaching during our journey, and also share some tips on developing our own personal teaching style.

Organisational politics is everywhere, and it doesn't matter whether you are a PhD candidate or a Professor Emeritus, you will encounter it. But as a PhD candidate, you might feel powerless to stand up for yourself. In this episode, I talk about some simple strategies to understand, navigate, and mitigate the challenges of politics in academia.

Academic privilege is a controversial topic. At risk (fear) of being cancelled, I want to explore the concept, and take steps to rebalancing the equation. The Third Degree was founded to democratise access to postgraduate education, and to help address the imbalances faced by academics and research candidates in the Global South. As a privileged caucasian academic, having spent almost half my life (and two thirds of my career) in developing Asia, I am confronted with the disparities evident in academia. I hope my thoughts in this episode start both a reflection and a conversation for us all, but for the betterment of academia!

Today, 10 October, is World Mental Health Day! Academia isn't exactly known for being the most friendly mental health environment, but that doesn't make it toxic. In this episode, I talk about the importance of awareness of our mental health in our postgraduate journey. Knowing ourselves, knowing how we can reach out to others, and knowing how we can support others navigate their own mental health, is powerful for ourselves. Stay resilient and believe in yourself, even when your mind tries to tell you elsewise!

Resilience is something that most of us keep fighting to develop through our lives and careers. Personally, my journey has been challenging, with many steep learning curves. But these learning curves, good and bad, have helped me to develop and strengthen my own resilience. I share eight (8) lessons from my own journey to help you think through the challenges you are facing!

Resilience is key. As emerging research professionals, we must develop resilience throughout our journey, not only for the PhD, but beyond as well. While it is commonly argued that there are five (5) essential skills to develop in order to be a more resilient researcher, I believe that a sixth skill adds the 'icing on the cake' so to speak. Developing our competency in these five plus one (5 + 1) skills will strengthen your resilience as a researcher.

There's a lot of opinion and advice out there on how to become a good researcher, and of course the attributes that are essential to this. I put my own spin on to this discussion by exploring what I consider essential facets of being a good researcher, not only as a PhD candidate or Early Career Researcher, but as a research professional that wants to hold their own against others.

It should be a friendship for life! Building a strong supervisory relationship contributes to your personal and career growth, and help ensure your PhD journey is a productive and rewarding one. This episode touches on a few issues to consider as you start to build that rapport with your Doctoral supervisor.