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.