Becoming an Effective Researcher:

Am I an effective PhD researcher?

Yudhi Ariadi Y.Ariadi@lboro.ac.uk
3
rd
Year PhD student at Design Practice Research Group
Loughborough Design School
Why am I doing my PhD?
Bachelor of Mechanical
Engineering
Several years in
Automotive Industries
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Master by research
Funded by European Union & HEIF
Brawijaya University, Indonesia Lancaster University, UK
Teaching at Jakarta State
Polytechnic, Indonesia
Funded PhD at
Design Practice Research Group
Loughborough Design School
Loughborough University, UK
To change the world!
I have a very
great PhD topic!
and what happened?
http://www.bu.edu/hillel/images/graduation_silhouette.jpg
2013
Can I get a PhD?
7 academic years
5 academic years
Yes,
89%
No,
11%
Full time students
Yes,
72%
No,
28%
Part time students
Yes,
57%
No,
43%
Full time students
Yes,
19%
No,
81%
Part time students
PhD completio
n in the UK
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bGvel1bueFk/Te7YOB6yQ8I/AAAAAAAAAPg/VmnnK97FmxM/s1600/listening+scared.jpg HEFCE, 2005, PhD research degrees Entry and completion
2002/2003 1995/1996
1995/1996 2000/2001
Survival tips
Be realistic:
- It is not a Nobel Prize
- It is not to change the world

Find and get help from:
- Faculty members, who have relevant areas of expertise with your interest.
- Graduate/research schools, student support.
- Statistics Consultancy, from Mathematics Learning Support Centre
- Friends, officemates, other PhD students.
- English Language Support Service.

Keep motivated:
- Find conducive environment: PhD student office!

Meet your supervisors regularly:
- Dont play hide and seek.. ;)
- Discuss your plan and record your progress (this helps keep your PhD on
track).

Survival tips: keep update
Postgraduate Researchers courses
Careers and Employability Centre
Research support
University website
English Language Support
Survival tips: Attending seminar
Disseminating your research problems/finding, networking,
improve your public speaking skill:
Departmental seminar,
University conference, cafe academique.
Regional conference (e.g.: East Midlands Universities, conference & poster
competition).
National conference.
International symposium.
Survival tips: Back up your works!
2G U-drive
IT services
The PhD journey could be long, so dont forget to take a break
Quiz @ the Best Pub in the UK
Explore the town!
Lboro Street Fair since early 1228
Get healthy
@ Radmoore Centre
http://www.flickr.com/photos/philmciver
Lboro Market since early 13
th
century