The Joyful PhD
A workshop for building more joy into the research experience
This workshop aims to support participants to reconnect with the joyful, pleasurable, motivating elements of their doctoral journey; and to then engage these qualities as they make onward decisions for their research. The workshop will explore three aspects of joy:
The joy of research – remembering what is transformational, valuable and of great service to society in their research or subject area; what is pleasurable and of interest in the issues they are studying.
The joyful research experience – recalling what has been joyful and energising in the wider research journey. This will encourage participants to think about their overall personal and professional development over the last few years, and thinking about how those skills and interests can translate into different kinds of careers or paths.
The joyful life – recalling core desired values and desires in participants’ life. This is a more holistic exploration of what is a true priority for the way they wish to live their lives – both within the PhD and beyond.
Finally, we bring the three elements together, examining which values overlap across all three areas and how participants can bring these qualities to the forefront of their everyday decision making and action planning, in their research and beyond.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the session, participants will have:
- reflected upon and discussed which elements of their doctoral research have felt most pleasurable and valuable over the years of their PhD
- considered and discussed what has been joyful and exciting for them in the surrounding activities and experiences of their doctoral journey
- recalled the personal and professional skills and interests they have developed from their doctoral research and extracurricular activities
- considered the core desired values for their overall personal life
- identified overlapping qualities across their PhD, research and personal life, and bringing these qualities to the fore as they begin to plan their next steps in their PhD work and onward career path
Workshop details
- 1 hour 30 minute workshop
- Maximum attendance: 30 participants
- This workshop can be conducted in person or online
- Participants will be provided with a workbook that can be used during the session and kept for future reference