What do Doctoral Researchers need to flourish? The science of getting from where you are to where you want to be.

Part of the CERIC PhD Conversation Series, this reading group discussion is geared toward PGRs at all stages.

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Part of the CERIC PhD Conversations Series, this reading group discussion is geared toward PGRs at all stages with an interest in learning what makes PhD completers resilient and which resilience protection factors help them complete their doctoral programme.

CERIC is pleased to host Dr Paul Joseph-Richard (Ulster University) and Professor Janet McCray (University of Chichester) who will be delivering a brief presentation based on their recent paper titled Towards a model of resilience protection: Factors influencing doctoral completion. Higher Education, 80(4), 679-699. As part of the presentation, the authors will identify four of the most well-established protective factors of resilience.

Doctoral researchers’ well-being has become an important area in doctoral education research, policy and practice. Recent research (Hazel et al. 2020; Nature, 2019; Evans et al. 2018) indicates that there has been an increase in mental health challenges faced by PhD students as they navigate “the traditionally isolated and highly competitive doctoral environment” (Pretorius, Macaulay & Cahusac de Caux, 2019, p. 289). In the literature, the majority of research focuses on non-completers who have given up their studies. However, in this presentation, the authors focus on their research undertaken with successful PhD students and present what helped them complete their studies (McCray & Joseph-Richard, 2020; 2021). The content will include the stressors the doctoral students experienced, and how they learnt to cope with them, sustained their well-being and flourished during the Doctoral programme. As part of the session, the authors will identify four of the most well-established protective factors of resilience.

How you could benefit from attending the event:

Research and Theory

• Get an overview of Mental Well–Being and its impact on PhD study
• Be more aware of what the literature tells us about the PhD experience
• Recognise how successful PhD students manage their well-being

Personal Development

• Learn how to flourish as a PhD student
• Hear about other PhD students’ experiences

To make the session highly interactive, we kindly ask PhD students to read the suggested paper in advance:

McCray, J., & Joseph-Richard, P. (2020). Towards a model of resilience protection: Factors influencing doctoral completion. Higher Education, 80(4), 679-699

Guest Speakers

Dr Paul Joseph-Richard is a Lecturer in Human Resource Management at Ulster University Business School, Ulster University, Northern Ireland. He teaches Human Resource Management and Research Methods modules in a range of Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Executive Learners’ programmes. His research seeks to extend our understanding of leadership development, programme evaluation, research-informed teaching, qualitative research methods, learning analytics and doctoral students' wellbeing. He is a Certified Business and Management Educator (CBME) and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA). He promotes innovative ways to leverage technology to foster diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging practices. He ensures that his pedagogy, content, and teaching and research practices are fully inclusive and supportive of all learners.

Professor Emerita Dr Janet McCray supports research activity and research supervision in the Institute of Education, Health and Social Sciences, University of Chichester. As a PhD supervisor, she has supported traditional and professional doctorate students to success and has examined students undertaking both routes. Recently one research focus has been on resilience in practice (McCray, 2012,2014,2015, 2016, 2020, 2021) and she is currently exploring how PhD students can be successful, in a series of collaborative research studies with Dr Paul Joseph-Richard at Ulster University.

For any queries, please contact cericphd@leeds.ac.uk