Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #phdlife
Most recents (24)
Exceptional academic writing is best done with a system.
To achieve outstanding publication and citation success.
Here are my 7 secret publishing strategies to get 28k citations in 15 years ↓
@academicvoices @PhDVoice @PhD_Genie
#AcademicTwitter #AcademicChatter #phdlife
To achieve outstanding publication and citation success.
Here are my 7 secret publishing strategies to get 28k citations in 15 years ↓
@academicvoices @PhDVoice @PhD_Genie
#AcademicTwitter #AcademicChatter #phdlife
1. Use incremental studies for high-impact, low-effort publications
• Focus on niche areas with less competition.
• Develop expertise in a specific area or methodology.
• Use your unique perspective or resources.
Scan the recent Future Work to find your next increments.
• Focus on niche areas with less competition.
• Develop expertise in a specific area or methodology.
• Use your unique perspective or resources.
Scan the recent Future Work to find your next increments.
2. Decide where to publish without wasting time & effort
• Research the impact factor & reputation of target journals.
• Align your research topic with the journal's scope.
• Consider open-access options for increased visibility.
Create a ranked list of your target journals
• Research the impact factor & reputation of target journals.
• Align your research topic with the journal's scope.
• Consider open-access options for increased visibility.
Create a ranked list of your target journals
Peter Higgs believes he would be regarded as “unproductive" in today’s academic system. He simply wouldn’t be able to “survive” in #science.
On his way to Stockholm to receive a Nobel Prize in 2013, he said the following in an interview to Guardian:
#AcademicTwitter #phdlife
On his way to Stockholm to receive a Nobel Prize in 2013, he said the following in an interview to Guardian:
#AcademicTwitter #phdlife
- He wouldn’t expect to make a breakthrough in today’s academia.
Why? Because expectations to "collaborate and keep churning out papers" are too high
"It's difficult to imagine how I would ever have enough peace and quiet in the present sort of climate to do what I did in 1964"
Why? Because expectations to "collaborate and keep churning out papers" are too high
"It's difficult to imagine how I would ever have enough peace and quiet in the present sort of climate to do what I did in 1964"
- He said he would've been fired had he not been nominated for the Nobel in 1980.
Why? He published fewer than 10 papers after his groundbreaking work in 1964.
Why? He published fewer than 10 papers after his groundbreaking work in 1964.
All the horrible things I have thought and done during my #PhD that I was absolutely sure nobody else was thinking or doing
(but which, actually, they all absolutely were)
#phdlife #phdchat #phdtips #academicchatter #academictwitter @ThePhDPlace @PhD_Genie
(but which, actually, they all absolutely were)
#phdlife #phdchat #phdtips #academicchatter #academictwitter @ThePhDPlace @PhD_Genie
🗯️ They're going to figure out that I'm not actually capable of doing this work
🗯️ I have no idea what I'm doing
🗯️ I don't think I'm ever going to figure out how to plan and structure this thesis
🗯️ I have no idea what I'm doing
🗯️ I don't think I'm ever going to figure out how to plan and structure this thesis
🗯️ I don't even get the most basic theories in my field that everyone else seems to be quoting off the top of their heads
🗯️ I've honestly never heard of Foucault / Bourdieu / Irigaray / Donna Haraway until right now (theories we 'should' all know in feminist/gender studies)
🗯️ I've honestly never heard of Foucault / Bourdieu / Irigaray / Donna Haraway until right now (theories we 'should' all know in feminist/gender studies)
The more I read recommendation letters, the less I want to rely on them.
Many people will disagree with me. But I will still say that:
#AcademicChatter #phdlife #research
Many people will disagree with me. But I will still say that:
#AcademicChatter #phdlife #research
1. Recommendation letters promote elitism.
“You are not from a famous advisor’s group..? Sorry, you don’t belong here.”
2. When poorly written, a recommendation letter devaluates the candidate.
“This student has such a dull reference… It’s clearly not for us.”
“You are not from a famous advisor’s group..? Sorry, you don’t belong here.”
2. When poorly written, a recommendation letter devaluates the candidate.
“This student has such a dull reference… It’s clearly not for us.”
3. Recommendation letters is a way to indirectly control and even intimidate students and postdocs.
“You don’t want to spend 15 hours a day on your research? But then how can I write a good recommendation letter for you?”
“You don’t want to spend 15 hours a day on your research? But then how can I write a good recommendation letter for you?”
Unpopular opinion: There isn't actually anything you HAVE TO DO in your #PhD or #research>>>
🧵
#phdlife #phdchat #phdtip #academictwitter #academicchatter
🧵
#phdlife #phdchat #phdtip #academictwitter #academicchatter
Yeah, yeah, I know all the agency vs structure people are going to crawl up my arsehole now and get very angry.
But what about privilege?!
But what about systemic oppressions?
Okay but hear me out first...
But what about privilege?!
But what about systemic oppressions?
Okay but hear me out first...
Apart from things like, say, breathing, there are few things that we inherently HAVE TO DO
Whenever we say we *have* to do something, it is actually a choice we are making about what we prioritise + value more
I'm not saying this is easy
or that the choices are equally weighted
Whenever we say we *have* to do something, it is actually a choice we are making about what we prioritise + value more
I'm not saying this is easy
or that the choices are equally weighted
Academic Writing is a skill all on it’s own. And it can be a hard one to master.
Luckily there are now AI tools that can teach you how to be a better academic writer.
Here are 3 ways Paperpal helped me:
🧵below
#academia #phdlife #phdchat #science #AcademicChatter #phdvoice
Luckily there are now AI tools that can teach you how to be a better academic writer.
Here are 3 ways Paperpal helped me:
🧵below
#academia #phdlife #phdchat #science #AcademicChatter #phdvoice
Paperpal is an AI tool that has been trained on millions of academic research papers.
It understands how manuscripts are written and supports over 1300 subject areas.
Paperpal can give grammar and language suggestions that actually improve your manuscript while you write.
It understands how manuscripts are written and supports over 1300 subject areas.
Paperpal can give grammar and language suggestions that actually improve your manuscript while you write.
And I love using the MS word plug in it to write my manuscript !
As a non-native English speaker I'd say my English is pretty good, but sometimes finding the right word or synonym to get my point across can be a hassle. And I'm never 1 to pass up ways to improve my writing!
As a non-native English speaker I'd say my English is pretty good, but sometimes finding the right word or synonym to get my point across can be a hassle. And I'm never 1 to pass up ways to improve my writing!
Let's learn a few things about Behavioral Economics and Behavioral Science
🧵
#EconTwitter #AcademicTwitter #phdlife @PhDVoice #economics
(1/9)
🧵
#EconTwitter #AcademicTwitter #phdlife @PhDVoice #economics
(1/9)
Behavioral Economics focuses on how behavior affects economic decisions and outcomes, while Behavioral Science focuses on the study of behavior more broadly and its influences across multiple domains.
While they are related, they differ in their scope and focus.
(2/9)
While they are related, they differ in their scope and focus.
(2/9)
Behavioral economics (BE) emerged as a response to the traditional assumption that people are perfectly rational and make decisions based solely on self-interest. It recognized that people's decisions are often influenced by factors such as framing, heuristics, and biases.
(3/9)
(3/9)
Say goodbye to high #ArticleProcessingCharges!
Here is the ultimate guide to publishing your next paper for FREE: 🧵👇
#AcademicChatter
#AcademicTwitter #openaccess #postdoc
@PostdocVoice @OpenAcademics @StoriesImg
@ThePhDPlace #phdlife #phd
Here is the ultimate guide to publishing your next paper for FREE: 🧵👇
#AcademicChatter
#AcademicTwitter #openaccess #postdoc
@PostdocVoice @OpenAcademics @StoriesImg
@ThePhDPlace #phdlife #phd
1. DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals - 1) Go to DOAJ.org 2) Search for journals 3) Apply filter "Without: APCs"
After finding a journal, check if they're indexed or not.
I was surprised by the number and quality of articles I saw on DOAJ.
After finding a journal, check if they're indexed or not.
I was surprised by the number and quality of articles I saw on DOAJ.
2. University Agreements: Your University may have an agreement with specific scientific journals to publish articles for FREE or at a reduced cost.
Check your University's website for details. @UofT, for example, has 100% waivers with 8 publishers:
onesearch.library.utoronto.ca/copyright/apc-…
Check your University's website for details. @UofT, for example, has 100% waivers with 8 publishers:
onesearch.library.utoronto.ca/copyright/apc-…
Presenting a paper at an academic conference can be a daunting task. Here are some tips to help you make a great impression! 📈💻
A thread 🧵
#AcademicConference #PresentationTips #phdlife @PhDVoice @Phd_Reality
A thread 🧵
#AcademicConference #PresentationTips #phdlife @PhDVoice @Phd_Reality
2/9
1. Know your audience: Tailor your presentation to the specific conference and attendees. 🤝#KnowYourAudience
1. Know your audience: Tailor your presentation to the specific conference and attendees. 🤝#KnowYourAudience
3/9
Practice, practice, practice: Rehearse your presentation multiple times to become comfortable with the material. 💪 #PracticeMakesPerfect
Practice, practice, practice: Rehearse your presentation multiple times to become comfortable with the material. 💪 #PracticeMakesPerfect
How to become a Scientific Illustrator? 🔬🎨🖌️
I receive this question almost every day. Below is some information and tips on how to become a scientific illustrator! Ask me any questions in the comments!
#illustration #sciart #career #phd #phdlife
I receive this question almost every day. Below is some information and tips on how to become a scientific illustrator! Ask me any questions in the comments!
#illustration #sciart #career #phd #phdlife
1) Develop your artistic skills: Scientific illustration is a highly specialized field, and it requires a high level of skill in illustration, drawing, and design. Take classes in art, drawing, and graphic design to develop your skills.
2) Learn about the scientific subject matter: Scientific illustrators need to have a deep understanding of the scientific concepts they are illustrating. Take courses in the sciences, such as biology, physics, or chemistry, to gain a solid foundation in the subject matter.
I have written 300+ peer-reviewed scientific papers in the last 15 years with more than 27,000 citations.
Here is how I use sentence templates to write abstracts at lightning speed. ↓
@acm_chi @academicvoices @PhDVoice @PhD_Genie #AcademicTwitter #AcademicChatter #phdlife
Here is how I use sentence templates to write abstracts at lightning speed. ↓
@acm_chi @academicvoices @PhDVoice @PhD_Genie #AcademicTwitter #AcademicChatter #phdlife
Most abstracts follow this 3-act mini paper structure:
1. Study purpose & background
2. Methods, analysis, main results
3. Takeaways: Meaning, contribution, limitations & future research
Let's give you some sentence templates to steal for each part below.
1. Study purpose & background
2. Methods, analysis, main results
3. Takeaways: Meaning, contribution, limitations & future research
Let's give you some sentence templates to steal for each part below.
1.a Study Purpose
• This research aims to investigate/analyze/examine the causes of/the relationship between…
• The objective of this work is to understand/elucidate/uncover…
• The aim of this study is to provide/generate/develop a comprehensive understanding of…
• This research aims to investigate/analyze/examine the causes of/the relationship between…
• The objective of this work is to understand/elucidate/uncover…
• The aim of this study is to provide/generate/develop a comprehensive understanding of…
Most academic writing is awful at concision.
It's always:
• Verbose verbiage
• Prolix prose
• Jumbled jargon
Horrible to read.
Here's how top academic writers tweak their text. ↓
#AcademicTwitter #AcademicChatter #phdlife #phdvoice #phdstudent
It's always:
• Verbose verbiage
• Prolix prose
• Jumbled jargon
Horrible to read.
Here's how top academic writers tweak their text. ↓
#AcademicTwitter #AcademicChatter #phdlife #phdvoice #phdstudent
1. 'Irregardless' is a word, but don't use it.
The dictionary shows it's a word but also labels it as non-standard and incorrect in standard English.
Use either 'irrespective' or 'regardless.'
The dictionary shows it's a word but also labels it as non-standard and incorrect in standard English.
Use either 'irrespective' or 'regardless.'
2. There is more than one way to write the possessive form of a word that ends in S.
Most academics are used to AP style, where the possessive of a word ending in S gets an apostrophe.
→ James' paper
But Chicago style recommends against that for clarity.
→ James's paper
Most academics are used to AP style, where the possessive of a word ending in S gets an apostrophe.
→ James' paper
But Chicago style recommends against that for clarity.
→ James's paper
I just reviewed 60 PhD applications for the General Epi Methods track in the @JohnsHopkinsEPI.
The personal statement has a huge impact on my decision-making for who to invite to interview.
Here are my tips for writing your PhD application personal statement.
#PhDlife
The personal statement has a huge impact on my decision-making for who to invite to interview.
Here are my tips for writing your PhD application personal statement.
#PhDlife
Tip 1: Show your passion using concise language that is compelling but does not sacrifice professionalism.
You do NOT have to disclose personal information. Make and keep your boundaries.
You do NOT have to disclose personal information. Make and keep your boundaries.
Tip 3: Convey grit and emotional intelligence. #PhDlife is filled with problems that need careful thought, response (after and aside from reaction), and dedication to finding solutions.
Its always difficult to take the first step, its always challenging to dive into a new domain. Happy that all the hard works brought the fruit eventually. Read our work from @RajeshPandeyLab @IGIBSocial @AcSIR_India on #singlecell #multiomics
The story highlights how important it is to understand the effect of #SARSCoV2 even after recovered from #COVID19 and how strength of #MachineLearning can be used for developing #disease #Biomarkers
This was indeed a challenging task, both on #Biology and #Bioinformatics front, but learnt a lot apart from the science part of it, especially #teamwork and #timemanagement.
#AcademicTwitter #AcademicChatter #phdlife
#AcademicTwitter #AcademicChatter #phdlife
Discovering how to use reference management software is a key research skill and will save you time.
Here are 3 reasons why you should start learning now ↓
#PhDLife #PhdChat #AcademicTwitter #OpenScience
@PhDfriendSana @OpenAcademics @yourPhDpal
Here are 3 reasons why you should start learning now ↓
#PhDLife #PhdChat #AcademicTwitter #OpenScience
@PhDfriendSana @OpenAcademics @yourPhDpal
1. Saves you time.
Organisation on autopilot by creating:
- tags
- folders
- star favourite papers for quick access
- organize by author/topic/project/date/journal etc.
Never worry about losing a paper again.
Organisation on autopilot by creating:
- tags
- folders
- star favourite papers for quick access
- organize by author/topic/project/date/journal etc.
Never worry about losing a paper again.
2. Automatic citation generation.
Construct bibliographies and cite your sources using the citation style you've chosen (e.g. APA, Harvard, MLA, IEEE, Vancouver).
Ensuring consistency compared to manual referencing.
Construct bibliographies and cite your sources using the citation style you've chosen (e.g. APA, Harvard, MLA, IEEE, Vancouver).
Ensuring consistency compared to manual referencing.
What did I do to combat the thousands of tabs open of papers instead of just filing them away in endnote never to be seen again because I couldn't remember why I needed them?
I created an "At-A-Glance" Spreadsheet. #AcademicChatter #phdlife #phdvoice
I created an "At-A-Glance" Spreadsheet. #AcademicChatter #phdlife #phdvoice
My template was shared with my program cohort and includes a separate tab where they can change the projects and subtopics for automatically updating the data validation. This means you can add new projects and remove old ones with ease throughout your use of the sheet too!
How I use this spread sheet:
- this is one of the ONLY tabs I leave open throughout the day.
- when I find a resource (be it an article, website, news article, etc.) I first drop the link, then fill the title, then give a reason for why I thought it was useful
- this is one of the ONLY tabs I leave open throughout the day.
- when I find a resource (be it an article, website, news article, etc.) I first drop the link, then fill the title, then give a reason for why I thought it was useful
Dressed as my supervisor's feedback on my PhD thesis for Halloween because nothing is scarier than reality
😱😱😱
#phdlife #phdchat #phdmemes
😱😱😱
#phdlife #phdchat #phdmemes
I'm muting this now because replies are getting ridiculous - was just meant as a silly joke to bring comfort to PhD friends - please don't take a Halloween outfit out of context. My supervisor is great and I don't need defending by strangers on the internet!
See thread here if you're upset by my spooky outfit:
Failed to find an image for your academic presentation here? I'll show you how AI can draw your wildest fantasies 🤖🧵
#AcademicTwitter #academicpresentation #phdlife #phd #AI #presentationdesign @PhDVoice @firstphdchat
#AcademicTwitter #academicpresentation #phdlife #phd #AI #presentationdesign @PhDVoice @firstphdchat
🥇imgcreator.zmo.ai is so far the best AI image generator I’ve seen. You can select the theme, style, and size of the output image
Look at the “cat in a funny hat studies marketing” and “horse is writing an academic paper with her supervisor”!
Look at the “cat in a funny hat studies marketing” and “horse is writing an academic paper with her supervisor”!
🥈 photosonic.ai works faster than imgcreator but is not always 100% fit (am I the only one counting legs of the "horse supervisor"?)
PhD and #planning are inseparable. But more often than not, it NEVER works!
Either we procrastinate till we fall into anxiety or overwork to the point of burnout.
Here's a little🧵for procrastination-proof planning!
#PhDlife #PhDchat #phdtips #AcademicTwitter
Either we procrastinate till we fall into anxiety or overwork to the point of burnout.
Here's a little🧵for procrastination-proof planning!
#PhDlife #PhDchat #phdtips #AcademicTwitter
Why planning has always been a tricky thing for me:
❌My plans are either too big & I get overwhelmed or too short & I lose the big picture.
❌they have no space for changes. One interruption can cause a domino effect & I'd feel like the whole plan is sabotaged.
❌My plans are either too big & I get overwhelmed or too short & I lose the big picture.
❌they have no space for changes. One interruption can cause a domino effect & I'd feel like the whole plan is sabotaged.
In my journey to build a routine, I realised these mistakes in my planning and found little ways to improve them.
📝Here's what I've learnt:
(more detailed explanations below⬇️)
📝Here's what I've learnt:
(more detailed explanations below⬇️)
Today’s thread is a story about what you decide to do with those ‘overflow’ tasks you haven’t finished when Friday afternoon roles around – Do you mostly ‘catch-up’ on Saturday and Sunday or do you usually roll them over to next week? #phdlife #AcademicTwitter 1/n
Obviously some periods of #phdlife require that you catch up on the weekends. Grant deadlines, teaching crunches, etc. But I want to walk through why you shouldn’t make that your normal response and why it’s hard to resist! 2/n
My personal example: This semester was always going to be rough, there’s just a lot of things I HAVE to get done in order to get some projects moving. And last week it got out of hand. Normally I don’t work weekends or evenings. 3/n
Hello prospective #students! Applying to a laboratory for graduate studies? Don’t make these common mistakes. I often notice these in emails and they instantly dampen my enthusiasm. A 🧵 on tips for your first contact email with potential thesis supervisors. #AcademicTwitter
Don’t get the PI’s name wrong. I know this seems like a no brainer, but it is more common than you think. If you are unsure of the person’s gender/pronouns, refrain from using them. I get called Ma’am so many times! 🤦🏽♂️
If you are copying and pasting the body of your email, ensure the fonts and font sizes are consistent. I just received an email with mismatched font sizes and it doesn’t inspire a response.
Do you feel confused over how to write a #LiteratureReview, clueless about why we write this or where to start? A lot of us started there!
Here's my idea to
Write a #LitRev in 5 definitive steps🧵
#LiteratureReview #AcWri #PhDtips #AcademicTwitter #ScienceTwitter #PhDlife
Here's my idea to
Write a #LitRev in 5 definitive steps🧵
#LiteratureReview #AcWri #PhDtips #AcademicTwitter #ScienceTwitter #PhDlife
1️⃣ Start by identifying the 𝗴𝗼𝗮𝗹. These questions will guide your literature collection and writing of the review:
— Why this problem?
— What has been done before and where's the research gap?
— What other methods exist, and why could the chosen method fill the gap?
— Why this problem?
— What has been done before and where's the research gap?
— What other methods exist, and why could the chosen method fill the gap?
2️⃣𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁 relevant literature to answer the above questions by starting from a root paper, branch out and then narrowing down to your theme.
I'd suggest @rsrchrabbit for this step. (I've already made a reel about this and you can find it in my recent story/highlights.)
I'd suggest @rsrchrabbit for this step. (I've already made a reel about this and you can find it in my recent story/highlights.)
Want to improve your scientific presentations?
Every great seminar and conference speaker I've seen in my 15 years as an academic researcher did these 10 things. These can 10x your research visibility and impact. And this will unleash new opportunities. 🔥🚀
Let's dive in:
Every great seminar and conference speaker I've seen in my 15 years as an academic researcher did these 10 things. These can 10x your research visibility and impact. And this will unleash new opportunities. 🔥🚀
Let's dive in:
1. Start with something engaging
• Funny story
• Personal anecdote
• Interesting statistic (that the audience doesn't know)
The first thing you say determines whether the audience will be leaning in to listen or picking up their phone to check email. Act accordingly #SciComm
• Funny story
• Personal anecdote
• Interesting statistic (that the audience doesn't know)
The first thing you say determines whether the audience will be leaning in to listen or picking up their phone to check email. Act accordingly #SciComm
2. Explain the significance
• What's the broader impact on your field?
• What's the future impact on society?
• Why should anyone care?
It doesn't matter if you're presenting to experts in your field or a broad audience. Succinctly and clearly explain why your work matters.
• What's the broader impact on your field?
• What's the future impact on society?
• Why should anyone care?
It doesn't matter if you're presenting to experts in your field or a broad audience. Succinctly and clearly explain why your work matters.
5 tools that I use every day as a PhD student and that make my life easier.
A thread 🧵:
#phdvoice #phdchat #phdlife #AcademicChatter #AcademicTwitter
@OpenAcademics @PhDVoice
A thread 🧵:
#phdvoice #phdchat #phdlife #AcademicChatter #AcademicTwitter
@OpenAcademics @PhDVoice
1. @NotionHQ - free for students.
This is where I take my notes, organise my week, keep my protocols, have my to-do list, etc. Basically all my PhD content is there!
Highly recommend it. When I start the day, the first thing I check is my Notion board.
This is where I take my notes, organise my week, keep my protocols, have my to-do list, etc. Basically all my PhD content is there!
Highly recommend it. When I start the day, the first thing I check is my Notion board.
2. @SigmaOS - free for students/ launched for MacOS
Sigma is a browser specifically made for people who spend hours working on the web.
I organise all my tabs in different workspaces for my different projects. Makes me way more efficient and less distracted!
Sigma is a browser specifically made for people who spend hours working on the web.
I organise all my tabs in different workspaces for my different projects. Makes me way more efficient and less distracted!
