The iProgress Podcast

Are you preparing for your PhD viva?  In this episode, Dr. Dean Fido and Dr. Craig Harper discuss five key tips for successfully defending your thesis during the viva process. We cover understanding the purpose of the viva, knowing your research inside and out, practicing your presentation skills, anticipating potential questions and challenges, and staying calm and focused. With the right preparation and mindset, you can increase your chances of success and make the viva a rewarding experience. Listen now for practical advice and guidance on preparing for your PhD viva.

In this podcast episode, Dr Dean Fido and Dr Craig Harper delve into the hidden curriculum of graduate school and discuss the unspoken expectations and lessons that PhD students often learn along the way. Our three key themes include the importance of networking, the need to publish in top journals, and professional conduct and expectations. Listen now for practical advice on navigating the hidden curriculum of a PhD program and setting yourself up for success in academia.

Are you curious about using AI for academic writing? In this episode, Dr. Dean Fido and Dr. Craig Harper explore the pros and cons of using AI for academic papers and essays, as well as the ethical considerations involved. We'll also share tips for those considering using AI for their own academic work. Whether you're a researcher, scholar, or student, you won't want to miss this in-depth discussion on the use of AI for academic writing.

Welcome back to the #iProgress Podcast. Remember to subscribe to the YouTube channel to see all of our content if you find it useful.  

In this episode, your hosts - Dr. Dean Fido and Dr. Craig Harper - talk through the differences between a Masters-level and PhD thesis process.  

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YOUTUBE       ►► https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCslssS3vIVx2okk6g5d9D4g

TWITTER        ►► https://twitter.com/iProgress_CC

WEBSITE        ►► https://iprogress-cc.com/

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Chapters: 

00:00 - Introduction 

00:37 - Comparing Project Structures and Expectations 

04:46 - How Long are the Projects? 

09:40 - How You Are Examined  

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CRIB NOTES:  

- Welcomes & scope of podcast episode  

- Topic 1 - Project Structure

      - Master’s single project answering a single specific question

     - PhD - Multiple projects which are trying to answer a broader project

      - Publication and dissemination expectations  

- Topic 2 - Project Length

      - Time: 9-18 months (Masters) vs. 3-4 years (PhD)

     - Writing: 6,000-8,000 words (though some will be longer) for Masters vs. 50,000-80,000 words for PhD  

- Topic 3 - Examination

      - Supervisor (and second marker) for a Masters vs. an independent team of internal/external examiners with an oral defense for a PhD  

- Closing remarks  

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Music by AlphaGaming | HarrisHeller

Welcome back to the #iProgress Podcast. Remember to subscribe to the YouTube channel if you find it useful.  

In this episode, your hosts - Dr. Dean Fido and Dr. Craig Harper - talk through the life of an academic and how they plan their weeks to maximise productivity and student success while reducing burnout as far as possible. 

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YOUTUBE       ►► https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCslssS3vIVx2okk6g5d9D4g

TWITTER        ►► https://twitter.com/iProgress_CC

WEBSITE        ►► https://iprogress-cc.com/ 

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Chapters: 

00:00 - Introduction 

02:02 - Managing Competing Tasks 

11:19 - Finding a Balance Between Shallow and Deep Work 

17:33 - Keep Control of Your Diary Efficiently  

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CRIB NOTES: 

- Welcomes & scope of podcast episode

- Topic 1 - Manage Competing Tasks

      - Teaching (preparing and giving lectures, seminars, and tutorials)

      - Incorporating research into teaching time

      - Navigating admin and committee roles  

- Topic 2 - Navigate Shallow vs. Deep Work

      - Don't become swamped by shallow work (e-mail, general admin, routine meetings)

      - Focus and block out deep work time (writing and research planning)

      - What about teaching?   

- Topic 3 - Maintaining Control

      - Planning diaries well in advance

      - Using semi-automation (e.g., adopt an office hours model, create booking links)  

- Closing remarks  

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Music by AlphaGaming | HarrisHeller

Welcome back to the #iProgress Podcast. Remember to subscribe to the YouTube channel to see all of our content if you find it useful.  

In this episode, your hosts - Dr. Dean Fido and Dr. Craig Harper - talk through examples of setting SMART goals to succeed at your tasks.  

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YOUTUBE       ►► https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCslssS3vIVx2okk6g5d9D4g

TWITTER        ►► https://twitter.com/iProgress_CC

WEBSITE        ►► https://iprogress-cc.com/

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Chapters: 

00:00 - Defining SMART Goals 

03:00 - SMART Goals for Small Wins 

06:53 - Using SMART Goals to Write a Paper 

15:57 - Project Milestones and SMART Goal Setting 

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CRIB NOTES  SMART is an acronym that stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time Bound. For a written walk-through of SMART goal-setting, see https://www.atlassian.com/blog/productivity/how-to-write-smart-goals 

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Music by AlphaGaming | HarrisHeller

Welcome back to the #iProgress Podcast. 

In this episode, your hosts - Dr. Dean Fido and Dr. Craig Harper - talk through the step from undergraduate to postgraduate study, and how students and educators can help themselves and their learners to navigate this transition.  

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YOUTUBE       ►► https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCslssS3vIVx2okk6g5d9D4g

TWITTER        ►► https://twitter.com/iProgress_CC

INSTAGRAM  ►► https://www.instagram.com/iprogress_official/  

WEBSITE        ►► https://iprogress-cc.com/

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Chapters: 

00:00 - Introduction 

02:50 - Setting Postgraduate Expectations 

09:46 - How Are Masters Courses Delivered? 

20:18 - Are Masters Degrees More DIfficult Than Undergraduate Courses?  

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CRIB NOTES: 

- Welcomes & scope of podcast episode

- Topic 1 - Managing expectations

      - Prepare for independent study

      - Develop ideas outside of formal taught material

      - Developing your own professional identity and voice  

- Topic 2 - Content and delivery

      - Larger focus on group discussions

      - Applied knowledge which goes above and beyond purely theoretical (e.g., prep for careers)

      - Lectures delivered by experts/external speakers 

- Topic 3 - A step up in difficulty?

       - Is a masters degree really harder than an undergraduate course?

      - Considering content vs. situational factors

-Closing remarks  

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Music by AlphaGaming | HarrisHeller

Welcome back to the #iProgress Podcast. Remember to subscribe to our channels to see all of our content

In this episode, your hosts - Dr. Dean Fido and Dr. Craig Harper - talk how to get the most from your research supervision meetings.  

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YOUTUBE       ►► https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCslssS3vIVx2okk6g5d9D4g

TWITTER        ►► https://twitter.com/iProgress_CC

INSTAGRAM  ►► https://www.instagram.com/iprogress_official/  

WEBSITE        ►► https://iprogress-cc.com/ 

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Chapters: 

00:00 - Supervision as the Heartbeat of the Research Process 

03:07 - Setting an Agenda 

07:22 - Agree Clear Action Points 

13:10 - Maintain Accurate Supervision Logs 

16:03 - Be Mindful of Cultural and Interpersonal Differences  

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RESOURCES  

How to navigate a supervision relationship breakdown: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gP1znbXJVC4  

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CRIB NOTES: 

-Welcomes & Scope of podcast episode 

     - Supervisory relationship is most important part of the PhD  

- Topic 1 - Set an agenda 

      - Know what you want to achieve 

     - Without a plan, meetings can be shorter than needed 

     - Everybody’s time is pressured - ensure that you can maximise efficiency  

- Topic 2 - Agree action points for all parties 

     - Successful progress depends on keeping the project on track 

     - Task lists and action points foster a collaborative environment 

- Topic 3 - Make logs of talking points and agreed actions 

      - Difficult to remember issues if meeting weeks apart 

     - Keeps people accountable 

     - Useful if needed for dispute resolution  

- Closing remarks   

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Music by AlphaGaming | HarrisHeller

Welcome back to the #iProgress Podcast - JOIN US ON DISCORD:  https://discord.gg/Ru5mt8PYpM 

In this episode, your hosts - Dr. Dean Fido and Dr. Craig Harper - talk about attainment gaps in university degrees, and explore a recent article from Dean about three quick fixes to closing some of these disparities.  

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YOUTUBE       ►► https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCslssS3vIVx2okk6g5d9D4g

TWITTER        ►► https://twitter.com/iProgress_CC

INSTAGRAM  ►► https://www.instagram.com/iprogress_official/  

WEBSITE        ►► https://iprogress-cc.com/ 

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Chapters: 

00:00 - The Extent of Award Attainment Gaps 

03:33 - Co-Design and Collaboration with Learners 

08:46 - Make Feedback Clear and Accessible When It's Needed 

14:46 - Break Down Barriers to Course Engagement and Access to Higher Education   

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Resources  

Dean's article for Times Higher Education: https://www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/three-immediate-changes-academics-can-make-close-awarding-gaps

COVID adjustments led to reductions in attainment gaps: https://www.cctl.cam.ac.uk/mind-gap-toolkit/how-know/impact-covid  

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CRIB NOTES: 

-Welcomes & Scope of podcast episode

      - Racial and socioeconomic disparities are large, in relation to both awarding levels and progression / drop-out rates  

-Topic 1 - Co-Producing Teaching Materials

      - Making sure examples and cultural references make sense

      - Adapting to different learner abilities and styles

      - Academics as experts, but with a responsibility to make content accessible  

-Topic 2 - Effective and Accessible Feedback

      - Continual feedback throughout teaching as vital to boosting attainment

      - Consistency in feedback methods and presentation in summative assessments

      - Developing effective ways to test knowledge in real time   

- Topic 3 - Break Down Barriers

      - COVID-19 adjustments led to reductions in attainment gaps

      - Online learning as a leveller of the playing field via increased engagement  

- Closing remarks   

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Music by AlphaGaming | HarrisHeller