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Year-End Review: Our Researcher Interviews
In 2020, PhDSciNet tried a new interview format focused on stories around us, inviting PhD researchers to share their thoughts and experiences. We hoped these reflections would help readers understand this distinctive group, and that the experiences and techniques they shared would offer useful ideas for life and study.
01
Tea Talk 1
This interview invited Dr Z, who returned from study in North America to take a university position, to discuss career advice and choices, with the hope of helping readers make future decisions.
1. Learn to balance the pressures of life and work; stay calm and avoid rushing or becoming impatient.
2. Aim a little higher at the beginning; you may then face fewer difficulties later.
3. If you choose a job in industry, it may help you translate research into applications more efficiently. If you want to concentrate on research, a university postdoc may be a better choice.
Article: Tea Talk 1
02
Facing Life and Death: A Discussion After the Dalian University of Technology Event
For this interview, a university teacher, two postdoctoral researchers, and a doctoral student discussed the death by suicide of a third-year master’s student at Dalian University of Technology.
1. Doctoral students may lack confidence and feel they must constantly meet other people’s demands, including their supervisors’ expectations. The interaction between students and supervisors is therefore important.
2. Confidence should come from internal motivation rather than external evaluation alone. Students should have their own views, dare to raise different opinions, and learn to protect their rights.
3. Society and universities should offer more inclusive ways to enter and leave study. Students should care for themselves, accept their imperfections, and accept being ordinary.
Article: Facing Life and Death: A Discussion After the Dalian University of Technology Event
03
Researcher Roundtable 3: How to Work with Your Supervisor
Two PhD graduates joined this interview to discuss how to work with a supervisor.
1. When a problem arises, actively seek communication with your supervisor.
2. Summarize what was agreed in a meeting and keep an email record for later reference.
3. Understanding the relationship between student and supervisor is crucial. The interview described it as a strategic partnership and a working relationship in practice, with communication within an agreed framework.
Article: Researcher Roundtable 3: How to Work with Your Supervisor
04
Researcher Roundtable 4: Preparing Slides and Giving Presentations
Three PhD researchers explained techniques for preparing presentation slides and giving talks.
1. Make the central point clear. Focus on what you want to communicate, and be willing to remove everything unrelated to it.
2. Classify your content carefully, organize it into levels, and give it a coherent logical structure.
3. When preparing a talk, think from the audience’s perspective about how to explain your ideas, and rehearse in advance.
Article: Researcher Roundtable 4: Preparing Slides and Giving Presentations
05
Researcher Roundtable 5: Have You Vented Today?
Two PhD researchers joined this interview to discuss venting.
1. Venting can be an ordinary need to talk and a normal social behavior. Its limits should be set so that it does not hurt others.
2. Do not let trivial complaints undermine your state of mind. Remember your original purpose and focus first on your own work.
3. Everyone does some things poorly and may be criticized for them. Vent in a healthy and constructive way, without harming others, and feel better yourself.
Article: Researcher Roundtable 5: Have You Vented Today?
06
Researcher Roundtable 6: The Little Things in Research Life
Two PhD researchers joined this interview to discuss managing emotions.
1. Take an active approach. Accept responsibility in communication and help move it toward its goal.
2. Begin with the end in mind and clearly explain what needs to be communicated.
3. Learn to listen and empathize: first seek to understand, then to be understood.
Article: Researcher Roundtable 6: The Little Things in Research Life
07
Researcher Roundtable 7: Are You Anxious About Your Job Search?
Three PhD researchers joined this interview to discuss releasing pressure and easing anxiety.
1. Anxiety during a job search can be unavoidable. A lack of income, uncertain outcomes, and unclear plans may all make us anxious.
2. Some anxiety is normal, but if it becomes excessive, seek professional help.
3. Open up and give yourself some space. The interview encouraged readers to believe that difficulties were temporary and that there was hope ahead.
Article: Researcher Roundtable 7: Are You Anxious About Your Job Search?
Sources and editorial history
Restored from a complete historical article exported from the PhDSciNet Official Account.
Editorial revision: The duplicated supervisor-communication heading for episode 7 in the recap was corrected to the episode’s actual subject, job-search anxiety. The original manuscript is retained.
