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Monthly Members' Newsletter

Welcome to the Defence Research Network Newsletter!

This month we are going to use this editorial, not to trail what is coming up in the newsletter (as we are sure you will figure that out) but to start a conversation about how the DRN is attempting to breakdown barriers. As our network has matured and the PhD students that set it up have increasingly completed their PhDs, we want to hear from you about how you have been affected by these barriers, what you would like to see done to respond to them and how you would prioritise them.
 

• The Masters student - PhD student Divide. We recognise that this is a big step up and commitment. It can be daunting if you don't have others you can talk to about what this is like. We want to open up the conversation that enables current PhD students to share their experiences with those thinking about taking this step.
• The PhD student - Early Career Researcher Divide. We know that some of us have found that the 'Dr' title can seem to widen this artificial gap, blurring the fact that often the 'Dr' is only a few months further on. ECRs have so much to offer the PhD student having recently bee in their shoes so we want to help facilitate this conversation to demystify writing up, vivas and the early career steps that follow.
• The Policy/Practitioner - Researcher Divide. As a network we recognise we are well placed to bridge a gap between government/MOD/charities and academic research. Many of the spin-off initiatives we have started, for example the Counterinsurgency Forum, do exactly this and to the mutual benefit of those involved. We are really keen to champion this and ask some difficult questions to make sure that research is reaching those writing policy or working in the fields being written about. 

Thank you all for your ongoing support and do talk to us about anything you need help with.

Hannah West and Jemma Humphries
Co-Chairs of the Defence Research Network

Stuck with writing? DRN Monthly Writing Group will take place again in August - stay tuned!

We had a few people registered for our last meeting on June 22nd, but the more, the merrier! No need to carry this burden alone. Join us at Google Meet, and let's navigate this task together! 

The writing group is based around the principles of Murry and Newton (2009) and will take place online. The purpose is to create a community of writers (Grant, 2006) and a space in which you can focus on your writing.

The format for the group is as follows:
Duration is 2 hours:

1. 15 min welcome and SMART goal setting

2. 90 minutes of focused writing

3. 15 min review of goals i.e. have you achieved your writing goal aim.

You will be invited to turn off all of your distractions during this time, such as email and mobile phones. You will also be asked to turn off your microphone. A member of the DRN will manage the timings of the group and notify you when it is time to finish your writing.

The first writing group will take place on the 03rd of August. This will be an evening writing group from 1900-2100 GMT. If you are unable to make the start of the group, please feel free to join and write your goal in the chat.

If interested in participating, please register via Eventbrite and a link will be emailed out to you closer to the time.

       

• 'BISA 2022 was a great conference reminding us of the importance of in-person events. As it was my second in-person conference since I started my PhD and my first one post-pandemic, I felt a little apprehensive of presenting my papers and chairing panels, but the friendly and supportive atmosphere makes you soon forget your imposter’s syndrome. Crucial for networking, it was a very positive experience that made me feel more connected to the research community and I have left Newcastle with useful feedback, inspiring ideas and new contacts'. (Lucie Pebay, DRN Secretary)

• 'After a couple of years pause from face to face conferences, it's been great hearing about other people's research, and getting feedback from others outside of immediate subject & department contacts. I felt slightly nervous putting my core PhD argument "out there" but delegates attending my panel have been great in either appreciating the theme researched or making useful suggestions. I found that as an ECR, these events provide an opportunity not only to discuss research-related matters, but also explore career-related questions and make use of most-valued networking time'. (Sorina Toltica, former DRN Committee member)

• 'I find it is the intangible and unexpected connections you make at conferences that spark new thoughts or possible collaborations. I heard a couple of papers that unexpectedly had connections with my work and so briefly introduced myself and came away with a list of a few people who I will be getting in touch with in the next few weeks for a follow up chat. I also really enjoyed getting to chat to people who I have only met virtually and just get to know them a bit more. I am increasingly finding the roundtable format a really accessible one if you would like to explore a question or theme without being ready with a paper and enjoyed taking part in one about the use of creative methods and the arts in research.' (Hannah West, DRN Co-Chair)

From the left to the right: Hannah West, Lucie Pebay, Sorina Toltica, Alex Waterman and Allyson Edwards

 

                                                

Don't panic. Everything is going to be okay. Stick to the whole picture. You are not alone.

'There's lots I could say about how to approach the 'writing up' but for me there was one thing I could find little advice on in a world where social media can make it feel like everyone is just sailing through their vivas. If you find yourself, as I did, hearing the words 'major corrections', do not despair. You are not the only one and you certainly won't be the last. Remember too that there is a lot of variation in what the definition of major corrections is and you might find that this decision in one institution might well have been classified as minor corrections elsewhere. It might make you feel deflated, like the end was in sight and the goalposts have suddenly moved (I was pretty upset for the next couple of days) and questioning where you are going to find the energy from to do more. But when you have had a bit of space you will find that you can probably start to understand what the examiners feel was missing and, if you are lucky, you will learn a lot as you make your corrections, filling in gaps you hadn't realised were there. I was worried I wouldn't feel proud of my thesis as a result of major corrections but in fact I feel prouder for having overcome this final barrier. And that is why I want to share it with our DRN community because if you find yourself in this position I want you to know it is going to be okay.'         (Dr Hannah West)

'I guess that the most important to keep in mind during this period, when we are running out of steam and under lots of pressure and expectations, is: 'you are enough, you've done enough', and no one will be more aware of your research and your whole trajectory than you (and luckily, your supervisor). Impostor syndrome is a battle that comes and goes in waves, crushing a great part of ourselves and stealing our sense of accomplishment. That happened to me during my PhD and for a long time after completing it in 2017. The difficulties of going straight to an academic career after the PhD, personal issues and several closed doors caused an increased sensation of doubt and failure. I just could recover my senses, trust and look at myself and my research from a more indulgent and self-compassioned perspective during my postdoc in 2020. This is the kind of self-punishment that no one deserves. In this sense, look at the time, effort, and energy you’ve put into everything and allow yourself to appreciate that. If you ever feel you are not enough, don’t belong where you are or anything like that... Take a deep breath! Remember every piece of effort you’ve been doing so far. More than proud of an academic title and position, you deserve to feel happy and proud of your accomplishments and the amazing person you’ve become after and due to this experience. Stick to the whole picture. You are not alone'. (Dr Tami Santos)   

Tips for the viva and more

'My tips for the viva would be: Choose your examiners very carefully. If it's an online viva that they are supplied with a paper copy. Know your thesis really well so you can turn to the appropriate pages quickly. Take your time over answering. Think of it as a privilege - they want to read your work and not many other people will'. (Dr Claire Lee)

'When asked about my PhD I always get the same two questions. First, the exciting one: ’What are you working on?’. Second, the anxiety trigger: ’So, when do you finish?’. Although the first has become much clearer over time, two and half years in, I still struggle to answer the second one.Like almost every researcher, my work has been delayed by COVID, but I now have gathered all my data, have a clear outline and I have started writing up chapters. The journey still seems long, and the last months have clearly showed me that every step – (even without a global pandemic!) – takes longer than I think. You always end up making changes, dropping something you’ve worked on for weeks because it’s no longer relevant, waiting on emails etc. You also have other commitments, requirements and deadlines interfering with your progress. On top of that add the pressure of time, money and life beyond the PhD (i.e. end of funding, competitive job market, difficulties to publish etc.) When you think about all these different aspects it quickly becomes overwhelming. To cope and write up more efficiently here’s a few tips that work for me:

• Set goals the day before and don’t beat yourself up if you can’t achieve them. It remains a good way to structure your day and progress. That works for your project as a whole: to avoid feeling overwhelmed break things down and focus on one task at a time. Don’t think further ahead than you need to. Although it is good and necessary to keep an eye on the future, if you think of it too much it can easily become an extra source of stress.  A medium-term rough plan of work, tasks, and objectives helps me be more organised and productive.
• Don’t compare yourself to others, everyone has a different topic, works differently, and tackles their project differently. Comparing yourself does not make sense and will only pressure you more.
• Productivity does not equate to time spent staring at your screen. I find this especially true when it comes to writing as it requires a lot of focus and attention. I am more productive when I take multiple breaks. If I struggle to write, I also find it useful to work on something different for a couple of days before going back to it.
• Try to let go of perfectionism! That’s a hard one for most researchers including myself but there’s so much to do, if you want everything to be perfect you will simply never finish.