PhD Project Idea Ready…

One of the aspects of being a lecturer I really enjoy is supervising the research of my PhD students. I have learnt to always have a PhD project idea tucked away and ready to go at short notice. Let me explain why…

Can help prospective PhD students

Within the sciences many students will apply to advertised PhD project positions which come with awarded stipend funding, but some will secure funded PhD’s through industry, government backing or by being able to self-fund. Popping up a PhD project on your university staff webpage can help prospective students understand your research interests.

Be considered for funding at short notice

Every now and then you may be invited to put a PhD project forward for consideration within a community who already have funding. I’ve been approached by industry and within the university, asking if I have a PhD project idea to put forward to be considered because funding has become available. This most likely will require the PhD to align to a research theme, but usually you have been approached as you are already researching in the topic area!

Helps remind you of neat projects ideas

As a supervisor your students may work on a neat research project… and then the PhD finishes but it has sparked future lines of investigation you wish to take forwards. You may have funding for the work to continue but, if not, capturing the new ideas within a PhD project proposal can be a good way of reminding yourself of research avenues.

These are at least three reasons to keep a PhD project idea up your sleeve 😊

Caroline, Dr CST