A Woman's Guide to Doctoral Studies

Endorsements from Research Students:'I read it cover-to-cover in one sitting - it was really gripping stuff and I couldn't put it down! I think you've got the mode of address exactly right, and immeasurably more so than what's already on the market. I like the academic feel of it, as it implies you think your readers are intelligent adults, capable of understanding complex issues and wanting to make informed, considered decisions...''Thanks for your input.. about...PhD assessment/vivas. It made me aware of the sad experience that I went through in the 1980s when I undertook a part-time PhD...I had little contact with my supervisor ...and had a viva without any preparation or information about what to expect. ... I didn't know of any appeal procedure until you mentioned it.''You manage to cover an enormous amount of ground, while, at the same time, being mindful of the need to provide a certain amount of depth on each issue you address'This guide is designed to help women - since we are less likely than men to be encouraged to do doctorates, are slower to put ourselves forward, and tend to operate on the belief that (in academia at least) we will be judged solely on the quality of our work. This book will help women undertake and enjoy serious scholarly work whilst recognizing the wider 'rules' of the academic game. The author compares the current situation in the UK with that of North America and Australia, and discusses the pros and cons of PhDs and new professional doctorates. Thought provoking case studies of the diverse experiences of home and international, young and older, heterosexual and lesbian students across the disciplines make illuminating reading.This book is an essential read for women (and men) starting, midway through or finishing their doctorates.

Diana Leonard is a Professor of Sociology and Head of the Centre for Research and Education on Gender at the Institute of Education, University of London. She has published extensively on the sociology of gender and the family and had a long association with feminists in France. She has recently completed various research projects including 'Gender and Learning' (among 10 year olds) and 'Violence Resilient (secondary) Schools', and was co-chair of the UK Women's Studies Network.

Introduction
using this book
Understanding the rules of the game
Deciding to do to a doctorate
Where to study?
finding the right supervisor and the right university
Finding the time, money and space
Getting off to a good start
How to access work on gender when your supervisor doesn't know
what he (or she) doesn't know
Keeping going and staying the course
Completion, the viva and life after the doctorate
References
Index.