Insights in Daily Life and Professional Experiences of Doctoral Researchers

00:00:11: Hello and welcome to this episode of the BGHS podcast called The Social Life Of Academics.

00:00:16: I'm Kristina, PhD student at the Faculty of Sociology and member of the bghs And i'm hosting this episode together with three of my colleagues.

00:00:25: Hi!

00:00:25: My name is Iris... ...I am also a doctoral researcher in the faculty of sociology.. ..and a Phd student Also at the BGHS.

00:00:36: Hi, I'm Josue

00:00:40: Garcia also a PhD researcher at the Faculty of History and also member of the BGHS.

00:00:47: Josue and Jakob are part of the Center for Inter-American Studies And Iris and me apart from the research training group on world politics Today we want to talk about how our work in social life as emerging academics looks like.

00:01:00: Many people do not have an impression of what we actually do as scholars in the humanities and social sciences.

00:01:06: And if they do, then perceive it is lonely work that I will re-tower between stacks of books.

00:01:12: While our work is isolating at times more often It's quite social and interconnected and collaboration key to our work.

00:01:21: So goal for this episode give you insight into daily working life What we do in a day, how we structure it and to show that academic success depends not only on research but significantly on relationships communication.

00:01:34: And the ability to function in a collective environment.

00:01:37: I would like to start with some of ideas for maybe breaking the ice Maybe discussing about what is our daily life?

00:01:48: Also discuss which are the most common, I will say, stereotypes of a PhD student.

00:01:57: For example...I would say that for some people out there maybe when they think about a PhD students They'll say having not a fixed schedule of eight hours working every day might be seen as plenty amount of free time you know like the PhD student can do basically whatever he or she wants all the time.

00:02:18: and in other hand Another commonly stereotyped probably could be like this PhD student is lonely, it's a lonely person completely apart from the world reading all the time and trying to write even like a chapter or whatever.

00:02:37: So does it really looks that a PhD researcher?

00:02:43: Is he a really lonely person?

00:02:45: I mean we are kind of do feel ourselves that we fit in these stereotypes.

00:02:54: How do you see it?

00:02:56: Anyways, for example how to manage your daily life and would say what is key to manage your freedom, for example.

00:03:05: For me self-organizing is definitely very important.

00:03:09: so in the beginning of each work day I try take some time and stay on top different tasks like deadlines or meetings that are coming up if they're teaching responsibilities up to date on that.

00:03:24: And then of course there's also kind, I think one thing missing in the stereotype is we have a lot of administrative work to do and yeah.

00:03:33: so because what you already mentioned it sometimes seems like we have free time to allocate self-organizing which is really important too.

00:03:44: stay on top.

00:03:47: So for me, the daily structure depends on time and space a lot.

00:03:51: For example it's different to work from home or working in an office And of course during this semester there are more meetings than during the semester breaks that have to be attended.

00:04:05: I would say one advantage is that there is a lot of flexibility and freedom we can work around.

00:04:14: But for me, it means... And I have to be very disciplined and self-organized.

00:04:20: so sometimes this could get overwhelming.

00:04:24: Thank you, Iris!

00:04:25: I completely agree with what you just said.

00:04:27: like doing a PhD sometimes can't be a lot about self organizing flexibility among multiple activities, for example sending emails searching for calls looking for materials reading taking notes and obviously at one point writing right because that's what we are supposed to do.

00:04:48: But in my case I am a morning person so The kind of most of my mornings is to use this energy that I feel when i wake up.

00:05:03: Maybe for doing something like it's difficult, maybe sending important emails or even if I am writing a chapter and its an abstract... ...I try using these moments in the morning Even sometimes I would say that I'm also learning German in the Morning but really want to use them hours in the mornig.

00:05:27: So Cristina, tell us a little bit about how you deal with organization and flexibility in your daily life as a PhD researcher.

00:05:37: Yeah I would say that talking about my ever working day so to say in the office... That i do very different tasks but I structure my days kind of the same!

00:05:54: very normal, I take my coffee from home maybe i have a porridge.

00:05:57: I eat it in front of the computer ,I look at my emails .

00:06:00: I looked at LinkedIn and I look at job advertisements just looking at the news.

00:06:06: so work on international space politics.

00:06:09: So I'm looking what the Space Agencies are up to?

00:06:12: What missions are currently active ?

00:06:14: And yeah...what kind of political developments happened over there?

00:06:19: So I start my day quite slow because i'm definitely not a morning person.

00:06:25: And then before lunch, I have like few hours of focus time so to say and normally I use the morning to work on tasks that are not directly connected with my dissertation but need be done anyway.

00:06:42: So a bit of administration, working on papers or articles.

00:06:46: I write for other projects and then i usually have lunch with my colleagues And uh... Then we have coffee We stand in the sun.

00:06:55: if it's out My afternoon slump comes.

00:07:00: In the afternoon I get another coffee but Then my productive time starts.

00:07:06: So after three, four PM I really get productive and then i usually start with my dissertation reading taking notes looking at documents getting information on my topic and analyzing documents.

00:07:21: And so in everything that comes with working on a dissertation After work and aroundwork ,I have some hobbies .

00:07:28: I play an instrument or an orchestra in the band I have to practice and i go to orchestra practice for example on specific days.I Have pets,i need to take care of then the usual household chores.

00:07:44: And what's especially important is exercise.

00:07:49: so moving your body regularly.

00:07:53: For me it's difficult to organize myself in that way just getting everything into a week fitting everything in and feeling like I worked enough, i did enough exercise.

00:08:03: I practiced enough.

00:08:04: it took enough time for my cats ,I eat healthy .i cook healthy and so on.

00:08:09: So this is really challenging for me to fitting everything in into the work day And into a Work Week.

00:08:15: I see there are also several activities going on that maybe will not feed properly On your research right?

00:08:22: For example The hobbies which are Also important as a PhD student For me, for example what really works and what really fits on my routine is trying to do some exercise.

00:08:35: Definitely I will say it's important to move our bodies even because we most of the time are sitting down just like reading writing or taking notes.

00:08:47: so Jacob tell us how did you deal with all this?

00:08:53: How does... balance your life, how does a normal day look in your routine?

00:09:00: I would say since i've started my PhD.

00:09:02: I'm experiencing somehow that there are no normal days at all because... ...I have noticed that my working days and weeks have changed constantly throughout the different stages of my research so.. ..I would say it has to do with the fact that each

00:09:21: stay

00:09:22: or phase of my reasearch is linked to different requirements and tasks.

00:09:28: And yeah, in my project at least the phases of research design preparation and conductive field work and also this subsequent processing and analysis data have taken very different forms so there are always different requirements.

00:09:50: Despite all these differences, I have recognized a common pattern similar to irises and Christina's observations.

00:10:00: They are different but repetitive activities during the work day... ...and i try to avoid a bit of boredom which comes with it.... And also overcome the feeling of being stuck!

00:10:17: To offers to the library or I'm also working from home.

00:10:21: and yeah as already mentioned My fellow colleagues they activities during the day.

00:10:28: I try to vary but Yeah, despite all the variety i have to admit that some tasks require my complete focus And for example doing the inventory of a large collection archival data or the line-by-line analysis of an interview passage require my complete attention.

00:10:50: So in my case, a intense focus can last several hours and usually begins at afternoon like Christina already said it's somewhat similar when all these small tasks are done.

00:11:10: As we all already mentioned, working this way requires recharging the batteries and I also try to engage in the afternoons or after work not in the afternoon but in the evening.

00:11:24: After doing jogging or do something physically

00:11:31: Perfect.

00:11:31: Excellent I liked your philosophy, i will say it like that with the approach of not having a normal day but maybe trying to have certain activities you manage in your days because basically its also what I would say fits on my routine.

00:11:50: Also.

00:11:52: so yeah Maybe after listening all of you and doing a PhD is kind being your own boss doesn't it?

00:12:02: kind of like um you know exactly what are the activities that you must do and you do them whenever you want, whenever You feel That you are in that mood or even when you are not.

00:12:15: You know that you have to Do It And you do it without The necessity Of having someone all the time behind your back telling you ah!

00:12:23: You must do this...you must read these..You most I don't know approach Someone.

00:12:28: And I will say also that this kind of freedom, i know some colleagues of mine and it sometimes happens to me.

00:12:36: That people get in panic like when you are dealing with someone as huge as doing a PhDs.

00:12:45: Sometimes is even difficult To Know Which Are The Decisions You Must Take Maybe Every Day.

00:12:53: So for the People Who Are Out There maybe listening to us in the morning, at night whatever you are.

00:13:03: If you're right now like having this kind of feeling of being lost don't worry really don't be afraid because I will say it's something constantly that happens during a PhD and it happens to all of us!

00:13:18: And um...I would say there is some solution maybe not for all problems but majority and it's definitely joined with more people, talking to colleagues make your community.

00:13:35: Yeah that's true.

00:13:36: I would say making a community is one of the key aspects in academic life especially when we're looking at doing a PhD as quite individual sometimes solitary working process.

00:13:54: Our academic work relies extensively on networking and collaborating with colleagues which leads us to our next question, Christina.

00:14:03: From your perspective as an individual researcher at the same time being part of a research training group how do you experience networking collaboration?

00:14:14: Where do you see the advantages and challenges when it comes to networking

00:14:18: and collaboration?

00:14:19: Yes, so I

00:14:20: will focus on collaboration for now.

00:14:22: And i'll use a specific example from my working life.

00:14:27: So in the RGD we are working with an edited volume.

00:14:32: Iris me and two other colleagues of our project are editors of this edited volume.

00:14:39: This is very big collaborative project we're working on for about two years now.

00:14:46: An edited volume is a book where the editors work out a concept or framework and then there are different authors contributing singular chapters, in our case, working together on a specific context writing text on it and developing your framework.

00:15:12: And the other side is more administrative work organizing author workshops conversing with authors of public publishers writing book proposals organizing copy editing and so on.

00:15:25: What I really enjoy about this process.

00:15:33: So, for example we wrote an introduction together in which we explain and work out our framework.

00:15:40: And... For me this was a really satisfying and productive process!

00:15:45: We have an initial meeting where we discuss the basic idea of text.

00:15:52: We set up what we want to have on the text then go into sequential works with phrases that produce the text.

00:16:01: What's interesting is To see for me that it really takes the pressure out of writing because when you're writing alone on your dissertation, For example, writing is really hard.

00:16:16: looking at the outcome, or you want to see and feel like it has to be perfect.

00:16:22: And every sentence that is produced must have something perfect.

00:16:26: but when we work together this really takes a lot of pressure from perfectionism because if your colleagues are working on an idea they will find better phrasing.

00:16:37: so I think this was nice for me as well and a change of scenery, so to say from the kind-of lonely work on my dissertation.

00:16:49: So this is definitely the advantage for me solving problems together producing texts together also bouncing ideas off each other For questions or challenges.

00:17:02: I would say that sometimes you have to work with people You don't... Or you have different working style have different expectations for the outcome of your work.

00:17:15: And this can be really difficult to solve these kind of interpersonal issues, especially when you're at the beginning of your career and a bit unsure on how to deal with that issue.

00:17:26: but in other hand we develop great soft skills also project management skills.

00:17:33: so I would say the advantage is take over challenges.

00:17:36: That sounds like that you're experiencing a supportive part of collaboration.

00:17:43: Iris, as your direct colleague of Christina Sawyer from the same working environment how do YOU experience collaboration and networking?

00:17:51: And are there any disadvantages from real

00:17:54: perspective?".

00:17:55: Yeah, so I agree that collaboration is indeed a large part of academic work.

00:18:02: So initially we talked about this kind of stereotype of academics being very lonely and working on their own and kind of being isolated.

00:18:11: And in the example that Christina talked about We truly see This is not always true.

00:18:17: So it can be true, but there are a lot of ways where through collaboration for example with less lonely and we kind of can all build on this working together and collaborating sharing common ideas.

00:18:34: so For me one really important part Is knowing your collaborators?

00:18:41: And when you I feel like There are fruitful collaborations to be done and there's really a good way of working together when you know your collaborators, that is where for me the fun begins because as we already talked about this kind making community tough times together, then yeah this is a really important part for me.

00:19:09: And in this I feel like thinking alike also helps a lot.

00:19:13: but most importantly to have productive and constructive critique and culture and the ability to listen and compromise.

00:19:22: If that fits collaborating can be fun or very productive.

00:19:27: so From my perspective, I really enjoy kind of this bouncing ideas off each other and going through the creative process together.

00:19:35: And then seeing how much comes from it?

00:19:37: How many more can come out working together discussing maybe also trying some fun ideas that you would probably not do on your own but with regard to disadvantages... Yeah, more administrative and coordinating work as well.

00:19:58: And then of course with these kind of projects you need a longer time perspective.

00:20:03: if you need long-time planning You have to be very flexible to react to different environments into different situations where maybe some tasks come back.

00:20:22: You have to fit in certain tasks that you might not have counted on, but then still do this because your collaborating and people are relying.

00:20:32: Having heard the individual perspectives of Iris and Christina as members of a research training group.

00:20:38: how is it in your case?

00:20:39: How does networking look like in your working life?

00:20:43: as a doctoral researcher at the Faculty of History

00:20:46: I must say doing the networking work for inter-american studies is kind of similar, in general with what my colleagues have already said.

00:20:59: But I will maybe add that at least from my own perspective working on the CES it's like a really nice experience being constantly influenced and talking scholars and professors that participates constantly in our colloquiums, but also make this sometimes short or longer fellowship at the center.

00:21:26: So I don't know how to say it really inspired me in a certain way.

00:21:36: Definitely agree with Rosu and one aspect i wanted to repeat from what you said to highlight that again, which is the importance of this kind of colloquium and seminars we're having.

00:21:49: because now we talked a lot about how... Yeah.

00:21:53: This social component in these components collaborating are very important.

00:21:59: but with regard to content perspective I think it's also very important for communities working at the same area as Sweden where they can give us feedback on their work Which makes them less lonely because we tend to be very critical with our own work.

00:22:15: So this is, for me it's important that you have the community of people who know what I'm working on and are also experts in similar aspects so they can share ideas about improving their own works as well from a content perspective

00:22:32: too.

00:22:32: And talking about community... From my understanding you're part community, how is your experience in this collaborative context?

00:22:44: That founding call it names turning land into capital which is related with false variance to a stupendium.

00:22:59: Most of my colleagues there are from Brazil Argentina Ecuador.

00:23:04: so the challenge is having a balance.

00:23:08: I will say Yeah, it's amazing to having all these interactions from different perspectives again.

00:23:14: From different locations and how we synchronize ourselves in some meetings and discussions related with our projects.

00:23:23: And this is something quite unique because it requires also a lot of energy outside my duties inside the Bielefeld University And I do love the experience of being in this project, a transnational project.

00:23:44: So we can talk about different levels and environments of cooperation and collaboration.

00:23:49: what you're telling us It's nice to be in contact with so many colleagues from all over the world share a lot of what you have already said.

00:24:04: In my research project, it might be at little bit different because its not linked to the research training group or third party funded projects.

00:24:14: so I also rely maybe more on bilateral and multilateral formats for collaboration with faculty in interdisciplinary settings For example, these one-of-one meetings with colleagues or supervisors on specific questions.

00:24:36: And yeah I usually enjoy and go to study groups when i need feedback from various perspectives spaces, receiving feedback and by listening to other people's inquiries and observing different working styles also.

00:24:57: we had this already.

00:25:00: This is the main advantage for me.

00:25:05: it makes me learn a lot from other peoples work and motivates me too continue with my own research By listening to my counterparts, for example in these collaborative spaces.

00:25:19: I've learned that many challenges of collaboration can be diminished if you clarify mutual expectations right from the beginning and share responsibilities in an equal manner.

00:25:33: And thus achieve a reciprocity in commitment.

00:25:37: so making community is one in our academic life, but there are many other aspects.

00:25:49: Yes so as we have already established a fair bit of what we do you know working-life is related to collaboration and networking And one specific aspect of the social life of academics that I would like talk about some more detail is what your experiences are like with academic conferences.

00:26:07: To provide some background in an academic conference, it's an organized gathering of researchers where we want to advance a field or study by presenting current research and discussing theories methods and empirics.

00:26:19: By catching up with our peers.

00:26:23: These conferences can look different for different disciplines, of course.

00:26:26: But Conferences of the Social Science and Humanities often follow a structured pattern.

00:26:31: First we submit an abstract which means short summary on topic to be presented Which is then reviewed by conference organisers.

00:26:39: Once our contribution is accepted into program We prepare presentation and write a conference paper.

00:26:43: The actual conference features presentations with question-answer sessions or roundtable discussions.

00:26:51: Breaks are important as well, of course at the conferences to review with coffee and snacks.

00:26:55: These breaks also very important times for networking.

00:26:58: so beyond these official program activities they're often Also informal social gatherings For example over dinner in drinks.

00:27:05: So one important distinction that needs to be made is between national conferences than international Conferences both then with regard to the expenses and travel time.

00:27:16: all-in-all it's about kind the overall time it takes to travel and prepare for a conference, then also costs.

00:27:27: The size of conferences can vary greatly – there are large conferences with several hundred participants that offer many parallel sessions while smaller conferences or workshops have limited number of participants.

00:27:39: While large conferences offer great visibility, they are often more broad in general with regard to topics.

00:27:44: In smaller conferences workshops often focus on specific topics and allow time for in-depth discussion or networking within a tight romantic peer group.

00:27:53: Here the chances of finding collaborators is much higher.

00:27:56: So I have been at different conferences over the last couple years.

00:28:00: Although the large international conferences that were extremely exciting and very beneficial I still prefer smaller workshops and formats where you get to know a lot of your colleagues that work on similar topics.

00:28:12: Jakob, what is your perspective on academic conferences?

00:28:16: For me going into conferences they are always implied two opportunities On the one side To make my research visible to abroad academic community And on the other side have tangible progress in my academic work By having thought through beforehand how synthesize and present an aspect of my research to a larger research community, also the outside of my circle of peers within home university.

00:28:50: So this is on more technical or opportunity side as a strategic tool to go to conferences, and I am tying it with my PhD research by presenting specifics for an expert audience or scholars from my field in smaller conferences than workshops.

00:29:10: By making my research understandable and giving an overview on general aspects of the larger audiences at bigger conference settings.

00:29:19: I see it as an entirely nice experience because i always met so far people who can relate to my topic in these broader or bigger conferences and the smaller ones, yeah especially there are always people work on some aspect related to my topics.

00:29:42: And this is the advantage for me going into those events.

00:29:49: Yeah, I agree.

00:29:50: There's always really good opportunities with regard to different perspectives of a work.

00:29:56: Christina what is your experience with academic conferences?

00:29:59: So what are you preferences and what do you see as advantages or disadvantages for?

00:30:05: First of all, I really like to highlight what Jakob said using conferences as a strategic tool because i think it's a great opportunity to set yourself deadlines when often during your PhD you don't get a lot of external deadlines.

00:30:19: Because you're self-managing all the time.

00:30:23: so submitting a chapter idea for example to conference can be a great way to getting something done and also it helps you preparing presentation For example, on the chapter and having a deadline to finish that chapter really helps you to structure it accordingly.

00:30:42: So yeah I really like this idea of framing conferences as strategic tool for PhD researchers.

00:30:51: conference formats.

00:30:54: It provides a more intimate setting and usually there's bit more time in space to elaborate on your ideas, discuss them because not so many people want to present their ideas.

00:31:07: for me smaller groups mean faster way of connecting with others.

00:31:12: You quite quickly get an overview of who's there, what topics are there and breaks like lunch or dinner.

00:31:21: Coffee breaks gets really important to get into a conversation with each other.

00:31:28: When you've never been to a conference, this seems very intimidating I guess.

00:31:33: For me it was too...I was really nervous before my first conferences but actually its easy to get into in conversation especially at these smaller workshop formats because enthusiastic about your topic and usually you are on a workshop, or with the similar frame so other people will also be very enthusiastic.

00:31:57: Conversations evolve quite naturally.

00:31:59: You just have to look open for conversation.

00:32:05: I think it's very interesting that you talked about academic conferences as on the one hand, kind of this strategic tour is a way off really planning and advancing your research.

00:32:16: But also not from personal experience and also from what you've said.

00:32:19: there are lot of emotions involved.

00:32:22: so Jose, What?

00:32:23: What does your experience where you're nervous as well with regard to international conferences or Are You Really cool going into them?

00:32:30: Yeah exactly!

00:32:34: great experience related with emotions and feelings.

00:32:38: And I must admit, the nervous and also the adrenaline.

00:32:46: it's always there...I mean you learn how to manage that but its always kind of there!

00:32:54: Sometimes it is like an addiction too.

00:32:56: feel this adrenaline in your blood before different and all eyes are on use for example.

00:33:05: So I will highlight this work that is behind being in a conference, it's not only just preparing the abstract and being accepted but also preparing your presentation.

00:33:17: But its this challenge of Preparing your ideas In an easy way.

00:33:23: you can manage time.

00:33:25: That´s also the challenge.

00:33:26: Sometimes you have fifteen minutes or sometimes twenty according to this base and the format of the conference workshop, whatever it is.

00:33:37: And also do in a really easy-going way that people who are in the audience can understand what you're just saying.

00:33:47: So I will say one challenge... ...and also performance!

00:33:58: really great presentation and you can see it in the performance.

00:34:01: How they talk, how they move...how they express also illustrations sometimes just slides on what they are saying.

00:34:12: You can follow ideas towards.

00:34:15: this combination I would say is kind of an art.

00:34:18: It takes a lot time to prepare like doing really well.

00:34:23: And yeah, I mean for me it's always like the challenge of having a new opportunity to improve and improve.

00:34:30: Which is constantly working on stuff... ...and then there was this part at the end of presentation where you have comments or maybe critics that probably are not expecting from audience sometimes its one challenging to think about the answer.

00:34:52: Also, you get sometimes really great ideas that probably you will not think about them if weren't there.

00:35:02: So thats why its also important to be in these kind of activities and presenting your work.

00:35:09: And obviously theres always this part traveling going into other cities meeting new people the dinner which that's also exciting, and I will say it is a privilege.

00:35:24: Yeah just adding an aspect to what Josue just said this challenge of exchange and transfer.

00:35:33: but I did already conferences in three languages on my topic and i always need to think beforehand oh how could, would i address this topic or concept.

00:35:47: In this language it's completely different in german and spanish or in english.

00:35:52: so there is transfer There's exchange, but there is also translation.

00:35:58: And yeah this was all summed up in one event and with the whole amount of preparation Rosway just said it can turn into something very challenging... Something big!

00:36:12: But also a lot relief at the end.

00:36:16: So the title Conversation here today in our episode is the social life of academics and, of course, conferences are one place that this social life takes

00:36:26: place.

00:36:27: But particularly large conferences can be overwhelming at first.

00:36:31: What would your advice to people who prepare for their first conference?

00:36:35: Are there any tips or tricks you share from your experience?

00:36:39: My advise will be to enter with a topic which you feel well with talking about and maybe giving a more general overview of what you're doing.

00:36:55: To have just taken the first conference to have good experience, then something that we can build up on?

00:37:07: From my perspective I would say it's also important considering that doing a PhD is learning how be a scholar kind.

00:37:18: I will say so.

00:37:19: So this means that you are in front of a conference and you're also learning how to do it, right?

00:37:29: You don't need know everything around like the expert on topic which doesn't mean is not taking what your doing seriously way that it's going abroad or maybe locally and presenting your ideas, but that means you feel enough confident not because you know everything about the topic.

00:37:58: But becuase you know to prepare yourself.

00:38:02: You have some ideas to share And are there for learning Not trying to pretend Everything is about your topic For example.

00:38:12: So this really kind of sometimes I will say at least Relax me like there's obviously some points of my own research Which I still need to work on or that?

00:38:25: Don't really know even about it, but they don't feel Like this necessity.

00:38:31: Like if I don't know about them then I am not Able to be in front of these conferences because I'm also part Of the learning process of being up doing a pitch team.

00:38:45: That's will be my advice.

00:38:49: Yeah, and talking about learning experience in preparation I think preparation is key also to feel confident in your presentation on the topic of paper.

00:38:58: so what i would recommend to others than what did myself for first conferences have like mock-up presentations with colleagues or friends whoever wants to listen and really prepare the slides, prepared a presentation.

00:39:15: And even give room to ask questions.

00:39:19: this will help you feel more comfortable in what your presenting also.

00:39:23: usually people have great advice on how present yourselves, how to make your key points more clearer also.

00:39:32: How do you make the visuals of your presentations better?

00:39:35: So this really helped me in the beginning talk with colleagues and ask for advice from colleagues who have been through conferences And know about a procedure that has maybe been into specific conference you are attending.

00:39:49: so preparation is key.

00:39:51: Another advise I would give Is go listen closely to the presentations in your panel and also other panels, because this gives you an idea of what to talk about how people approach authors.

00:40:06: So my advice for a first-time conference goal would be take presentation that you really liked or maybe something about the topic find some point with the author and approach it open and start conversation.

00:40:21: I think will help feel more comfortable and get into the networking side of things.

00:40:27: And as we said before, usually people are first-of all very enthusiastic about their topic... ...and they're very enthusiastic to talk about that topic.

00:40:35: so any questions or comments will be appreciated anyway!

00:40:40: Remember a lot of us are really nervous.

00:40:44: maybe I'm not brave enough to talk with other people So always appreciate it if someone approaches us.

00:40:53: Yeah, I really appreciate your perspectives on that and i would like to add the preparation and despite the efforts.

00:41:01: And also, the challenges my advice would be to have as much fun as possible because as Roswell has said initially it's a great privilege.

00:41:10: It can be really big impact on advancing.

00:41:17: your research then is just fun too amongst people who are as fascinated about their topics.

00:41:26: So with this we will close the episode.

00:41:28: Today, We have talked about our daily lives as people working in the humanities and social sciences.

00:41:33: You could see that while we do often work alone Our working life is actually structured around social interactions from a small scale like getting coffee with your immediate colleagues, getting lunch with them to a large scale like going through conferences of thousands of participants.

00:41:50: Collaboration also looks really different depending on the project you're in and the colleagues who are working with.

00:41:56: it.

00:41:56: generally is rewarding experience which makes us enjoy our job.

00:42:02: so while each scholar finds themselves another context or experiences do not speak for others.

00:42:08: I think there's some elements that unite all.

00:42:12: We hope that our episode gave you a bit of an insight into life as a PhD at the BCHS and enjoyed this episode.