Heriot-watt

  • I am very pleased to report that 2 weeks ago today I emerged successful from my PhD viva (pause for celebration). But now, as you might expect from me (or if, not then I will tell you now that I cannot resist the opportunity to reflect), this is a milestone that induces much reflection. “Discussion”

    Read more →

  • As I (try) to embed the habit of regular posting I have realised that fully researched/cited blog posts in conjunction with researching/writing a thesis may not be entirely plausible as ‘down time’ is very much a PhD necessity (after all, Halloween sweaters do not knit themselves). I do however, desire to share my research thoughts

    Read more →

  • As mentioned in the previous post, last weekend I set rail for Sheffield to attend the British Accounting and Finance Association (BAFA) annual conference. I mentioned my usual ritual of creating expectations that I am unable to fulfil at such events so now that I am home, it is time to reflect upon my findings…

    Read more →

  • This weekend I will make my way to my first conference of the year (there are currently 2 planned) and, as always, I will undergo my pre-event ritual. In the lead up to a conference, I always imagine how I will act. I will introduce myself to people, engage in conversation with people, and make

    Read more →

  • As the varying post frequency recently may suggest, the last couple of months have been busy, and stressful. Very stressful. Note: The content below is not a guide nor medical advice, this relates to my own personal experience of my mental health struggles. If you are experiencing any of the below issue please know experienced

    Read more →

  • On March 1st I hit the official halfway point in my PhD journey or, the unofficial official halfway point considering the first 2 years were part time so I am now only entering my ‘2nd year. Further, there is no knowing for certain if the finish line lies within the next 2 years (let us

    Read more →

  • This week while revisiting some mid-20th century papers I was reminded of one paper that prompted much of the direction for my thesis, J.C.R. Licklider’s 1960 ‘Man-Computer Symbiosis’. (let us ignore the inherit sexism in the term for now). While I have adopted this paper into my theoretical framework, it is not symbiotic theory alone

    Read more →

  • Jeeves, be a good old boy and pass me my pipe and that PhD would you? This week has been enlightening. My eyes have been opened to some surprising views and opinions concerning research and PhDs and, as a result, it has left me somewhat without a clear direction for this week’s post. Thus, we

    Read more →

  • Writing this post a day early (I begin teaching again tomorrow) has somewhat thrown off my thought process in deciding what to write about this week. Thus, considering I mentioned it in my previous post, perhaps now is a good time to introduce the topic of mental health into my PhD reflections. Like many areas

    Read more →

  • (Disclaimer: Here you will learn that I am a dedicated fan of Nintendo’s ‘Legend of Zelda’ series) After almost 2 years, this week I finally hit the milestone that has haunted me from day 1. I defined my research questions. Of all the mental struggles that a PhD can bring (a topic for future discussion

    Read more →