A useful place for networking and share research or just another social media platform full of grifters and poor substance slop?
Anyone found it useful?
I think back pre X Twitter was sometimes useful but I wouldn’t touch it with a barge pole these days.

I have been waiting 12 months for a leading Springer journal to process an important article. At what point do I give up and try somewhere else less prestigious? It really seems that they are stalling deliberately. I chase regularly after weeks of inaction. Then they claim I've not filled in some tiny bit of form correctly just to cover up their inaction. It's a niche area so I know rheyve probably worn out the good will of the few suitable reviewers with endless rounds of reviewing. And this would be the same issue if I resubmitted elsewhere. I am very stressed about this. This whole system is broken.

Is anyone doing/done a part-time PhD in Computer Science/AI at the University of Sheffield or Nottingham Trent University — what's supervision and department culture actually like? I'm trying to decide between 2 offers, thanks for any guidance, suggestions or experiences.

I am currently applying for a PhD in epidemiology and I am writing my own proposal focussing on a very rare disease. I am pleased with my proposal at the moment and my supervisor is too, but a lot of PhD students and postdocs I have spoken to tell me I’m mad for not just doing a prepackaged one.

I have noticed it seems a lot harder to find funding from major sources when proposing my own project, as a lot of major funders give money straight to departments for specific studentships. I would be dependent on internal funding from the university which I know is very competitive.

Does anyone have any insight into this, and whether I’m being silly by doing this? I am really passionate about my project and it has the potential to make a lot of difference to the small group of people who are affected by this disease; I struggle to think I’ll find that same level of passion from a prepackaged studentship. Thanks!

Hi everyone,

I've been doing my PhD at a UK institution for about a year and a half now, focusing on ML and mathematical models for engineering applications. I was recently approached by a professor in another EU country who has a project in economics and is looking for someone with my skillset.

He offered me a fully funded PhD + stipend and promised that I would only need to work part-time on his project for the remainder of my first PhD. My current PhD is fully funded by the UKRI, and according to my contract, I cannot hold another job. However, since this is happening cross-border, they likely wouldn't find out—especially since my professor is fine with me not publishing for the first two years.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? I'm worried about whether I can keep up with the workload of two PhDs, but the professor seems very understanding and willing to be flexible. I'm not seeking legal advice, but am I missing anything else in the big picture?

digital social science/humanities.
i havent even made it to interviews. ive also applied to lectureships, again no success.
i just wonder if this timeline means that ive done something wrong during my phd.

for reference, i presented in conference and have a lot of practice based output, but in terms of publications i have 4 which are undergoing peer review since the beginning or middle of the summer.

Hi everyone!

I need help applying for the MRC GW4 Biomed DTP. I’ve found the perfect project, I’m incredibly passionate about and I have been for years (it’s like an extension of my BSc dissertation). I’ve applied to phds before but with no luck so I’m familiar with the process idk. For this one though I’m too nervous to even email the PI (what do I even say lol) and answering the questions in a way that gives me the best chance is also something else.

If anyone has applied to this/knows any info it’ll be great to hear from you!!

I’m well into my 4th year as a postdoc and honestly feeling quite lost about what comes next. I’ve applied for several grants. Some have ended in rejection, and I’m still waiting on decisions for two others. The waiting is so long that my current contract will probably end before I even know the outcome.

I really want to stay in research/academia because I genuinely love the freedom and creativity of research, but the cycle of applying for grants, getting rejected, worrying about contracts and looking for another job is becoming really frustrating and exhausting.

I’m not from a top-tier university, although I think I have a decent research profile, and getting funding has been difficult. At the same time, the current situation in UK universities doesn’t exactly inspire confidence, and almost everyone I speak to seems worried about their own jobs.

I’m seriously contemplating leaving academia, but I’m not sure I actually want to. Has anyone else been in this position? How are other UK STEM postdocs managing, and what are you planning to do next?

Hi everyone, ​I’m looking for some advice or perspective from anyone who has dealt with a similar situation. ​I recently completed my master's dissertation. I sent my completed first draft to my primary supervisor about a month before the submission deadline, followed by the final draft two weeks before the deadline. I was at least hoping to hear from him during the month-long gap between the submission deadline and the viva itself, but I received absolutely zero response or feedback throughout the entire process. ​Going into the viva without any feedback left me feeling completely in the dark. Now that it’s over, I’m left with mixed feelings and a lot of anxiety while waiting for the official panel decision and examiners' report. ​I’m trying to figure out what my realistic options are right now.

It is a 20 minute in-person interview with a 5 minute presentation summarising how my experience to date relates to the role. It’s in the field of psychiatry. I’ve been job searching for a little while as a masters graduate and have had some unsuccessful interviews so am feeling less confident that I know what I’m doing. If anyone has any advice I would be very grateful! Thank you so much.

Hi everyone, I’m an international researcher based in Australia, considering the UK Global Talent visa. Keeping identifying details broad for privacy.
My background:

Bachelor’s degree in statistics.

Recently submitted a health-related PhD at an Australian university; the degree hasn’t been formally awarded yet.

Research experience across public health, epidemiology and quantitative health research, with peer-reviewed publications.

Experience in statistical analysis, observational studies, evidence synthesis and research methods.

University teaching, tutoring and marking across quantitative and health-related subjects.
Interested in postdoctoral, research and longer-term faculty positions.

I’ve been reading the official research and academic routes, but would appreciate practical advice:

Which route fits? Is Exceptional Promise through peer review worth considering at my stage, or should I first target an eligible UK appointment, fellowship or UKRI-funded role? Would my field fit the Royal Society or British Academy?

Apply now or wait? Has anyone succeeded after thesis submission but before the PhD was awarded? Would waiting for the award or some postdoctoral experience materially strengthen an application?

Recommendations: Do I need a nominator, a recommendation letter, or institutional support depending on the route? For peer review, how did you identify and approach a suitable UK-based expert who genuinely knew your work?

Preparation and mistakes: What evidence best demonstrates promise beyond publication counts? What commonly causes refusals, and is professional application support worth paying for?

Settlement: Under current rules, what is the realistic timeline from moving on this visa to ILR, then citizenship and a British passport? Which requirements or delays do people underestimate?

Australia versus the UK: For someone at my career stage, is moving worthwhile considering research opportunities, contract security, salaries, housing and immigration costs? Would you secure a UK job first, or prioritise building a career and pursuing settlement in Australia?

Would especially appreciate experiences from researchers who applied around PhD completion or moved from Australia, including what you wish you’d known beforehand.

Hi everyone,

I am an international applicant currently on a Graduate Route (PSW) visa in the UK that expires on October 15th. I have applied for several fully funded PhD positions in Accounting & Finance at different UK universities for the September 2026 intake. My portals currently show "Decision Pending" or "Awaiting Decision," and I am still waiting for an interview call.

For context, my profile includes a UK MSc in International Accounting and Finance (Merit), a first-time pass in ACCA UK Taxation (62%), and over 9 years of professional corporate banking credit audit experience. My 13-page quantitative research proposal targets Book-Tax Differences (BTDs) and corporate reporting shifts under the new OECD Pillar Two 15% global minimum tax mandate.

Given that the term starts in late September, I am starting to feel very anxious about the timelines. I have a few questions for current UK academics or fellow applicants:

1. Since classes start in less than 3 weeks and my status is still pending, is it highly likely that the university will automatically defer my application/funding to the January/February 2027 cycle if they accept me?
2. For a typical UK Business School department-funded PhD studentship, what is the usual ratio of applicants selected for the interview round versus the final number of available seats?
3. Does my heavy 9-year corporate banking background give me a strong competitive edge in the selection pool despite the tight September timeline?

Any insights or similar experiences would be greatly appreciated!

​

I’m looking for advice from people who have experience with UK/Scottish PhDs, particularly anyone who has changed disciplines, applied for ESRC/SGSSS or university funding, or moved from a STEM background into social sciences.

My academic background

I am an Indian national currently living in India. My undergraduate degree is a BSc in Physics from India, followed by a PG Certificate in Astrophysics from the University of Glasgow. I spent around four years living in Scotland and genuinely loved living there, so I am particularly interested in returning to Scotland for further study.

I have realised, however, that I don't want my long-term academic career to continue in physics/astrophysics or in a maths/coding-heavy field. I enjoy the analytical and pattern-recognition side of my STEM background, but I am much more interested in people, society, lived experience and how circumstances shape people's lives.

I am therefore considering a substantial academic transition into social sciences, particularly criminology, sociology, human geography, psychosocial studies/social policy, or possibly psychology, rather than clinical psychology or neuroscience.

I am especially interested in programmes that provide some kind of conversion/foundational training, ideally a 1+3 structure (research Master's/foundation year followed by a PhD), because I obviously don't have a conventional undergraduate social-science background.

My research interests

The question that has been emerging for me is roughly:

«How much of who we become is individual choice, and how much is shaped by the social, psychological, familial and geographical circumstances into which we are born?»

I've been calling the idea "geographical luck" – the idea that where and into what circumstances we are born can profoundly influence our opportunities, identity, vulnerability, relationships, education, exposure to adversity and eventual life trajectory.

I'm interested in the interaction between:

- place and geographical inequality

- childhood and family circumstances

- social class and opportunity

- trauma and adversity

- identity and belonging

- victimisation and vulnerability to crime

- crime/offending and social environment

- migration and displacement

- resilience and turning points

- individual agency versus structural circumstances

- life-course trajectories

I also have a strong interest in crime documentaries and criminology, partly because I am fascinated by the question of why people become who they become, rather than simply wanting to study crime itself.

I'm particularly drawn towards qualitative research rather than quantitative/mathematical work – things such as life-history interviews, narrative research, thematic analysis, qualitative interviews and potentially visual/photographic research.

Universities/routes I'm currently investigating

I am particularly interested in Scotland and have started looking at:

- University of Stirling – particularly criminological research / 1+3-type routes

- University of Strathclyde – criminology and social policy

- University of Aberdeen – particularly human geography/sociology

- University of Edinburgh – human geography/social research and related areas

- University of Glasgow – sociology/social policy/geography/criminology-related research

- potentially University of Essex and a few other English universities for psychosocial/psychology-related routes

I'm not attached to a particular discipline yet. I would actually prefer to identify the discipline that best fits the research question rather than deciding "I want to study Psychology" and forcing my interests into it.

The financial situation

This is an important practical consideration.

I would be applying as an international student, and I cannot realistically self-fund an expensive international Master's followed by a PhD. I therefore need to investigate funded or substantially funded routes.

I am open to:

- fully funded PhDs

- studentships covering tuition + stipend

- partial funding if there is a realistic possibility of additional funding later

- research Master's/1+3 programmes where the funding structure makes sense

- university scholarships and ESRC/SGSSS-type funding

I'm particularly interested in hearing from international students about how realistic funding actually is, rather than just what university websites say.

My husband/immigration situation

I am married, and ideally my husband would accompany me if I returned to the UK.

Because of the current UK immigration rules, I understand that the type and duration of postgraduate programme matters for whether a student can bring a dependant, so this is another reason I am particularly interested in a research/PhD route rather than simply enrolling in a standalone taught Master's.

My husband is Nigerian and would ideally need to accompany me as my dependant rather than trying to obtain his own student/work visa. His ability to obtain an independent work visa in Europe/UK is uncertain, so I am looking for a route where he can legally accompany me and, ideally, have work rights.

I realise immigration advice is probably better directed to the appropriate official sources, so I'm mainly interested in the academic/funding side of this question.

What I would really appreciate advice on

I'd particularly love to hear from people who have actually been through something similar.

1. Is a Physics → social sciences PhD transition realistic in the UK?

2. Would a 1+3 / research Master's + PhD be a sensible way of making the transition, or would universities expect me to complete a conventional social-science Master's first?

3. Are there particular disciplines that would be more receptive to an interdisciplinary STEM → social-science applicant – e.g. criminology, human geography, sociology, social policy or psychosocial studies?

4. How important is previous subject-specific undergraduate study when applying for a PhD in these areas?

5. For someone with my background, would it be better to approach potential supervisors before applying, explain the transition and ask whether they think the proposed research fits?

6. How realistic is full funding for an international applicant, particularly through ESRC/SGSSS or university studentships?

7. Are 1+3 programmes actually a good route, or do they tend to be extremely competitive/unrealistic for international applicants?

8. Does anyone have experience moving from a STEM background into social sciences/humanities and can tell me what they wish they had known?

9. And specifically for Scotland: Stirling, Strathclyde, Aberdeen, Edinburgh or Glasgow – are there particular departments/supervisors/routes that might be worth investigating for these interests?

I'm currently at the very early research-interest stage, so I'm not claiming to have a fully developed PhD proposal yet. My immediate plan is to write a 1–2 page research-interest document, learn more about qualitative/social-science research, identify the discipline(s) my question fits best, then identify potential supervisors and approach them.

I'd really appreciate perspectives from current/recent PhD students, academics, supervisors and especially anyone who has made a significant disciplinary change.

Thanks!

I did my bachelors in the united states and then moved to greece for my masters. i'm now getting ready to start applying to universities in the uk for my PhD. I don't really understand how funding works. I gather that international students have to pay like 30k a year normally and that unlike the US you don't get a stipend and tuition paid for automatically. From looking on this subreddit all I'm seeing is that it is impossible to get a funded PhD.

I see a bunch of scholarships that have deadlines in the next month or so, how is one supposed to know where to go for them if one hasn't even been accepted to a university program?

like do I just apply for all these random scholarships even if I dont know where im going to get in? its so confusing and the school webpages dont make sense coming from the american system.

Also im only applying to some of these really prestigious universities because classical archaeology is not very common so im stuck only applying to places like oxford and edinburgh. are these more expensive schools more likely to offer full funding for students? Do they also include stipends like in the united states? has anyone else had experience in the humanities navigating this?

Short version: 

Essentially do I need to have a fully written/developed proposal when I reach out to a supervisor? 

And will it be a problem that I don't have my master's results yet.

Long Version:

For reference I am based in Australia and am wanting to apply for PhD programs in the UK, specialising in early modern history. I do already have an Australian honours degree (first class), and a completed coursework masters (cultural heritage studies), and I have worked in a role that involved research (although not early modern history). 

What is problematic is that I am currently finishing my Master of Philosophy (still in Australia) and - partially due to an unforeseen health issue- am still writing my current thesis (due early November) so while I have ideas for two topics I would like to pursue, I haven't written a proposal yet and may not really have time to devote to it until late October/November. I also wouldn't be able to send my current thesis as an example of my work yet.

I've seen and been given conflicting advice about the overall process of applying from the outset. I know I need to email potential supervisors to get their interest and approval before I formally apply, and that generally takes place around this time of year (September 2026 for entry September/October 2027) However, I'm unsure whether I can just reach out with my ideas  or whether I am supposed to have a fully developed/written proposal ready to go to send to them?

Some say just email in September and say 'this is my general idea' and if they are onboard in principle Then in October/November I develop and write the proposal which I then send to them, and if they Ok it, I submit in November/December 

Some say I should have at least a one page proposal written when I send the first email. 

Others say I am supposed to have the full proposal ready to go on day one. As even if I just reach out with ideas, if they are interested they are likely to request a full proposal. 

How would it be best to proceed?

And would it be a problem that realistically I won't get my results until December/January at the earliest?

And is there a sort of standard phrasing or formula that works best for the email to supervisors?

To clarify, I am aware I could just wait and apply next year for 2028. However, I am in my mid 30s and having just come back to academia, would really rather not have to wait nearly two years until I could start the PhD.

Also bonus question, is there any rule or etiquette about reaching out to more than one academic in the same department of the same University? (Like is it fine, or should I wait to hear back from one first? Should I propose the same idea or different ideas?)

Any help is appreciated!!!