The PhD Life Raft Podcast

This is the podcast for you if you are currently doing a PhD; are working with PhD students; or just living with someone who is on a PhD journey. The PhD Life Raft will focus on sharing insights and experiences around some common issues like anxiety, procrastination, precariousness, imposter syndrome, and work-life balance. We will talk to students, supervisors and experts in the field of wellbeing and mental health and share actionable tips and additional resources. Doing a PhD is tough. The PhD Life Raft is here to help you get through.

Last refreshed: June 30th, 2025 at 10:08 AM ⓘ

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Episodes

Coping with Stress in the PhD Process with Jenny Mercer

This week’s episode deals with an issue that many of us are grappling with - stress . Jenny Mercer is Reader in Qualitative Approaches to Applied Psychology at Cardiff Metropolitan University. Her research interests focus on experiential enquiries of student experience and the impact of green care and outdoor activities on health and wellbeing. She is the Graduate Studies Co-ordinator for doctoral candidates in Health Sciences, and leads the Doctoral Wellbeing Initiative within the university. A...

Feb 08, 2021•26 min

The Problems and Pleasures of Practice-based Research with Kat Low

In this episode the fabulous Kat Low shares her experience of practice-based research - particularly her fieldwork in South Africa. Kat is a research-practitioner in the field of applied theatre and sexual health with a commitment to feminist-led research. Her practice lies in creating participatory-led theatre and creative arts-based practice with local communities to explore and gain greater understanding of the key sexual health concerns they face. She has published articles on theatre and he...

Feb 01, 2021•31 min

'Being a Part-time PhD Student' with Katie Hall

This week’s podcast tackles the problems and possibilities of being a part-time PhD student . Katie Hall is currently a creative practice PhD student, with project Queer as Friends . As a creative writing practitioner, Katie is editing her debut novel and freelancing as a journalist for LGBTQ lifestyle press . She has recently been longlisted for the second Primadonna Writing Prize , and will be included in the upcoming Arachne Press 'Tymes goe by turnes' anthology. In 2019, Katie was shortliste...

Jan 24, 2021•35 min

Undertaking a PhD with a Diagnosed Mental Health Condition with Libby Bennett

In this episode Libby Bennett shares her experience of negotiating both physical and mental health conditions during her PhD journey. Libby talks about OCD - what it is and what it isn’t - and identifies the potential benefits of the deep self-knowledge that comes through reflecting on your own mental health. She identifies the importance of recognising your own warning signs and talks about the importance of accessing professional services and how supervisors and students can support others. Li...

Jan 18, 2021•21 min

Life Crisis and Dealing with Loss During the PhD with Lauren Graffin

This week’s episode focuses on how to look after your mental health and maintain balance and a sense of your own well-being when faced with a life-crisis during the PhD. My guest Lauren Graffin shares her experiences of negotiating her father’s serious illness and the death of her much-loved supervisor while undertaking her doctoral study. Lauren completed her Master’s in Applied Drama at the University of Exeter, and her PhD at Ulster University. She worked extensively as a community performanc...

Jan 11, 2021•30 min

Reciprocity and Scholarly Community with Dave Maslach

Welcome back to the first episode of Season Two! We are starting off with thinking about reciprocity and building a supportive and encouraging academic community. Dr Dave Maslach is an Associate Professor in Innovation Strategy and Entrepreneurship at Florida State University. In this episode we talk about his own journey through an undergrad in Chemical Engineering and Sociology into his doctoral programme in Business Administration. Dave identifies the importance of believing in yourself and n...

Jan 04, 2021•23 min

How to Handle the Holidays with Chloe Bradwell and Rachel Hopkin

It’s the last episode of Season One and our Christmas special and we are celebrating with two guests! Chloé Bradwell is a Drama practitioner and SWW DTP funded PhD candidate at the University of Exeter and Aberystwyth University. Chloé has held the positions of Activity Manager and Research Associate in care homes and continues working as a freelance Drama Practitioner in dementia care while undertaking her PhD part-time. Rachel Hopkin is a first year, full-time, TECHNE funded PhD in the Media ...

Dec 15, 2020•27 min

'Loneliness and the PhD' with Georgina Binnie

Feeling lonely is one of the most common difficulties for PhD students - particularly those studying overseas . This week’s podcast talks to Georgina Binnie who founded the ‘Writing Back’ project in 2014; the award-winning scheme matches home-based and international University of Leed students as pen pals with older correspondents recruited via engagement with 26 local charities. You can find out more about the project here: https://www.writingback.co.uk/ In our interview Georgina talks about th...

Dec 06, 2020•24 min

Black Womxn in the Academy with Lynette Goddard

Lynette Goddard is Professor of Black Theatre and Performance at Royal Holloway, University of London. Their research and teaching is focused in the area of the politics of contemporary Black British theatre and performance, including work on new writing by Black playwrights and contemporary Black productions of canonical plays. In this episode of the podcast Lynette reflects on the experience of undertaking a PhD whilst also working and how the pattern of writing that was developed during that ...

Nov 30, 2020•28 min

How to keep motivated and productive as a PhD student with Ciara Feely

According to a study by The Council of Graduate Schools , 44% of doctoral students lose their motivation and do not complete their degree within 10 years . Maintaining your passion and motivation for your PhD is a real challenge - especially in the times that we find ourselves in where just keeping going is a struggle. Ciara Feely is a 2nd year PhD student with ML Labs in University College Dublin. In the second semester of her PhD program Ciara started the PhD and Productivity YouTube channe l ...

Nov 23, 2020•25 min

Overcoming the Imposter Syndrome with Valerie Young

From her extensive work in the field Valerie Young guesses that approximately 90% of PhD students experience imposter syndrome ! In this episode she offers some reflections on why academic culture may feed that anxiety of being found out as a fraud; as well as offering some advice on how to shift your perspective . Dr Valerie Young is the author of the award-winning book The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women: Why Capable People Suffer from the Impostor Syndrome and How to Thrive in Spite of It...

Nov 16, 2020•33 min

"What your supervisor wants you to know..." with Chris Megson

A very important element of your PhD journey is your relationship with your supervisor. In this episode I talk to Dr Chris Megson, Reader in Drama and Theatre and Director of Postgraduate Research Education, in the School of Performing and Digital Arts at Royal Holloway, University of London. Chris has supervised many doctoral students and been awarded the inaugural Researcher Supervisor of the Year prize at Royal Holloway as well as being shortlisted for the national Times Higher Award (2018) i...

Nov 06, 2020•27 min

Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less with Alex Soojung-Kim Pang

Alex Soojung-Kim Pang’s book Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less is a book that I regularly recommend to PhD students. Alex is a visiting scholar in History and Philosophy of Science and Technology at Stanford University. He is also the founder of Strategy and Rest , a consultancy advising companies on how to implement 4-day weeks. In this interview he shares his own journey negotiating the academic job market and his experience of undertaking scholarly work outside of the academy. We...

Oct 31, 2020•29 min

Coping with COVID as a PhD Student with Mays Imad

I am delighted to share this conversation with Mays Imad. Mays serves as a Professor of Genetics, Biotechnology, and Bioethics at Pima Community College and is the founding coordinator of the Teaching and Learning Center. Her current research focuses on stress, self-awareness, advocacy, and classroom community. Through her teaching and research, Mays seeks to provide students with transformative opportunities which are grounded in the aesthetics of learning, truth-seeking, and self-realization. ...

Oct 30, 2020•34 min

"What I wished I'd known when starting my PhD" with Chloe Lee

My fabulous first guest is Chloe Lee a 3rd year History student undertaking a practice-as-research PhD. Chloe talks about three key things that she wishes she had known more about when she was starting her PhD. Shares how she structures her time and creates a manageable rhythm for working. She talks about her own experience of part-time work as a helpful aspect in shaping her week and we touch on the importance of transition moments in the day and how to make them work for you. She shares her ow...

Oct 16, 2020•30 min

PhD Life Raft Trailer

Hello and welcome to The PhD Life Raft Podcast!

Oct 16, 2020•3 min

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