Why did we start this blog?
The Language, Discourse, and Communication (LDC) PGR Blog aims to provide an opportunity for current postgraduate researchers (PGRs) at various stages of the PhD to share their experiences as PGRs, publish blogs on works in progress, and offer and receive feedback from colleagues in the form of follow-up posts and tweets. We aim to make the practices, processes, and experiences of PGR students explicit and offer our colleagues constructive, supportive feedback.
Why is it needed?
The nature of academic publishing is such that it can take months (if not years!) for people to draft and submit an article, and even longer to receive peer-reviewed feedback. This means that often, getting in the practice of developing your writing is restricted to those who have access to a wealth of time and resources, but can be difficult for those who have responsibilities on top of their research. The LDC PGR Blog aims to allow a more open access to this practice space.
Will there be an aspect of peer review?
The LDC PGR Blog provides us with an opportunity to participate in a form of peer review often restricted to publishing in academic journals. Rather than acting primarily as a form of gatekeeping, we see peer review for the LDC PGR Blog as a formative process by which we can give and receive constructive feedback and engage in a conversation about our work. In addition to feedback received from the editorial board, blog posts will be able to receive feedback and commentary in the form of tweets and follow-up blog posts.
What sort of things will the blog cover?
The scope of our collective, ongoing work in LDC is broad, and thus, the scope of blog posts here will likely also be broad. They will span a range of experiences of PGRs as well as a diversity of topics related to our ongoing work. These can take the form of:
- Reflective accounts;
- Lessons learned and/or tips;
- Discussions of current/ongoing research;
- Reflections on the emotional and experiential side of doing a PhD – after all, joy and frustration are as much part of the PGR process as any intellectual engagement.
We also welcome other blog posts proposed by PhD students on other topics relevant to their research or experiences as PGR students. If you are unsure whether this blog is the right place for your writing, please don't hesitate to contact us and we can co-create and develop this space together.
Who is the intended audience?
Like the topics covered in this blog, the intended audience is diverse. The audience will include members at multiple stages of the postgraduate student experience, namely those considering applying to doctoral studies in ECS, those transitioning from postgraduate taught programmes to postgraduate research programmes, those early in PGR studies and those nearing the end of their PGR studies. The audience also includes members of staff, whose interests, experiences, and expertise vary across disciplines represented in LDC.
You got me interested – what do I do now?
We look forward to receiving, engaging with, and responding to a great diversity of blog posts and welcome you to contribute to the blog.
If you’d like to get in touch with an idea then please contact Angela.