Category: PhD Journal

  • Collaboration between researchers and clinical practitioners: The benefits for trans autistic people

    Collaboration between researchers and clinical practitioners: The benefits for trans autistic people

    In a recent episode of the Speaking of Research Podcast, researcher Katie Munday discusses their PhD work on healthcare experiences of transgender autistic adults in the UK. They emphasizes the need for participatory research to address barriers in healthcare access and the importance of advocacy in improving services for minoritised groups.

  • Reflections on the Joy of Gender event

    Reflections on the Joy of Gender event

    The Gender Inclusion Group, led by Dr Charlotte Morris and Prof Deborah Shaw at the University of Portsmouth, launched with an event in mid-October, exploring “the Joy of Gender”. The event featured speeches and poetry discussing various themes such as intersectionality and trauma, fostering a sense of community and shared expression among attendees.

  • Reflections on my PhD annual review

    Reflections on my PhD annual review

    I had my annual review earlier this week and it was super intense but also very helpful. An annual review is a conversational exam-of-sorts that happens annually during PhD study. At mine, there were lots of challenging questions asked, but I was super happy with my responses and how I held myself and my convictions…

  • A week in the life of a PhD student

    A week in the life of a PhD student

    The author shares a week in their life as a PhD student, highlighting the unique challenges and routines they face. Balancing family responsibilities, meetings, and personal well-being, they emphasise the importance of prioritising mental health and understanding individual work rhythms. Each week may vary, stressing that everyone’s journey is distinct.

  • Writing research is easier than publishing it

    Writing research is easier than publishing it

    The author reflects on the challenges of submitting academic papers, highlighting the contrasting ease of writing versus the complexities of submission processes across journals. They encountered financial barriers, rejections, and administrative hurdles, particularly when addressing ethical considerations and copyright issues. Despite the difficulties, they have devised multiple plans moving forward.

  • The Power of Collaborative Thematic Analysis in Trans Research

    The Power of Collaborative Thematic Analysis in Trans Research

    The author’s PhD research involves analysing health and social care experiences with four trans and gender diverse co-researchers. Initially concerned about coordination, the collaboration has proved rewarding, enhancing understanding of shared experiences. The team is now writing a paper on their findings, demonstrating the power of participatory action research.

  • You better

    You better

    A poem on how I feel about PhD study at the moment…

  • Epistemic and Affective Injustice: Understanding Autistic Experiences

    Epistemic and Affective Injustice: Understanding Autistic Experiences

    In July, I attended a workshop in Durham focused on gender, autism, and injustice, exploring the experiences of autistic women. Key topics included epistemic and affective injustice, impression management in socially anxious youth, and the impact of cisgenderism and neuro-normativity in research. The event prompted reflections on autism and authenticity.

  • Reflections from the SCDTP Queer Methodologies Workshop

    Reflections from the SCDTP Queer Methodologies Workshop

    The SCDTP workshop on queer methodologies fostered a reflective space for researchers to explore identity, vulnerability, and methodological challenges. Attendees shared personal experiences, fostering community and connection, while learning to embrace and queer their research practices. Collaborative activities, like zine-making, deepened their reflections on identity and the power of community.

  • Key Insights from the (In)equalities Education Conference

    Key Insights from the (In)equalities Education Conference

    Earlier this month, I was honoured to share space with some amazing thinkers, activists and researchers at Past Lessons, Current Challenges and Future Horizons: (In)equalities in Post-Compulsory Education. This mini-conference focused on the current challenges in post-compulsory education. Drawing on past and ongoing forms of resistance and transformation, it opened the door to reimagine the…