From Doubts to Discoveries: Finding You in Your Research
As a PhD student, I regularly see different challenges that other students and academics often refer to regarding their own mental health and resilience needs.
Now, with any new professional change, such as a PhD, you have challenges that you will inevitably face that test you. In this short article, what I want to discuss are some ways to help you throughout your PhD.
Dealing with Imposter Syndrome in Research
Now, to start this, it is a matter of perspective. Other experiences and individuals will facilitate your experience, but it is how you reflect on it that shapes your outlook, so you have to ask yourself the following questions.
Why am I doing this research?
Think about the stakeholders to whom it will benefit, why it is needed, and how you are the unique person capable of delivering it. Write this down and look at this when you have that sense of doubt. We all face imposter syndrome, but you are the person who is here at the right place and at the right time to make your research impact.
I’ve seen that students I taught faced barriers to their career journey; some of this may be due to barriers to their circumstances or academic norms. However, it is my role to try to use this research I am conducting to break down some of these barriers. Am I the only one who could look at it? No! However, I have a different experience and perspective from others who may approach the same project at the same or different times, which will also make you unique. At this point, with these circumstances, the project is in front of you, not someone else.
How will you utilise your project?
This is the broader question of impact; this is where you decide the general direction of your project. These are the methods that you will investigate. You need to remember that resources restrict some part of your research, but just as you are not solely bound to the project professionally, the project’s scope is not only in the PhD. Think about how you can increase your project’s potential reach.
How can you present this in academic formats? Does it have any professional, charitable, or commercial impacts?
Can you share it with audiences in different ways, communicating your research and the elements you’ve explored that you wish you had more resources to explore? The very bit you’ve shelved because of resources could be the focus for someone else. Please speak to your PI or supervisor and tell them your intention to promote, share or communicate the project. Ask them if they have any thoughts themselves.
Building the professional you?
You and your research are intertwined, but it is more of a part of your broader story, and when others see it, what story are you trying to share?
How does what you do now relate to where you are going next?
What is the story here?
This is a great step for your career trajectory, visualising your journey. Write this out, or better yet, draw it. Where does your research meet your professional and personal self?
What do you enjoy, and where do these intertwine?
Can you pursue this strand in more detail?
This is what needs to be on applications for jobs and grants. This presents the full you, the personal, professional and academic you. My work in identity has shown that we are the sum of many individual parts, but these are not isolated. They are interconnected. Some elements are over and under-represented. These points come at different peaks and troths, but to take your work forward to be more rounded, you bring as much of yourself into your work as you can and use your work to as much benefit as possible for you. What voluntary or professional roles can further your work, and how are these threads connected?
Dealing with Opportunity and Workload
Now, as a researcher, the workload is something you will have to navigate; it is a challenge regardless of the stage of your career and how involved you are in different elements, as well as if you have any other restrictions on you.
You might be thinking, but what can I do about it? I need that job, and I need to pursue my research. Yes, this is absolutely true. Many people who pursue a PhD certainly do not always have the abundance of freedom to take the research however they want, often facing one restriction or more.
Write your tasks down
So first of all, write whatever your tasks are down on paper, and draw it. You need to be able to visualise it.
Many of us think that we can think through the process, but how we experience stimuli is important. It changes our perception of the content. Why is this important?
If you are thinking about your tasks, you think about them in different orders based on recall. The priority is already assigned subconsciously. Now, when you place this on paper, you can see it. You must consider professional and personal in equal measure in this next step.
Draw yourself a Venn Diagram. Start with three even-sized circles overlapping, and give them the heading: Project, Professional, and Personal.
Now, in these circles, including the bits that are interwoven, think about the following task (the action or output), stakeholder (who is impacted), and result (a benefit or task related to an interaction).
Any tasks, interactions, or individuals you write down on paper should be as full of a list as possible. The elements that then fall into interconnected areas should be particularly important to you, and these should be particularly prioritised. Then, once you have this step done, look at the elements and think of the 4 D’s of time management (1). Start with the least important on the list and Delete the unimportant parts of your day. Get rid of it! Remove it if it doesn’t bring you anything positive, or it doesn’t have to be done.
Delegate if you need help with something personal or professional. You may have part of your job or role that you can’t do anymore, but it is equally important. Then try to put this onto someone else’s list of priorities and don’t feel guilty about it; delegation is normal and necessary. You can only do some things.
Next is Defer. This is more of an urgency question that you need to ask yourself. These tasks will escalate at some point, but they are not needed now, so make a reminder to add it to a list, review it regularly, and add it to the last D when needed. The last D is, Do this is what you need to do, and this is the top of your priority list and where your focus should be now? Remember, this should be personal and professional, as they are both crucial.
Disclaimer:
Now, these are tips and actions that helped me in my research and may work for you, and although much of this has been informed by my own research and experiences throughout my PhD, this is general advice. If you are dealing with any challenging situations, reach out to someone and seek further advice from a medical professional if you need it.
Taking that Next Step
The elements I’ve shared with you today are a particular way that you can take your next leap forward into academia with yourself at the centre. Connecting some productivity tools with a thought on perspective when conducting your research. There are many other elements of your research and academic journey where you may face a different challenge and when you need more processes or tips, which I’ll cover in the future. Remember to look after yourself and remind yourself that you are the best person to pursue your research.
