Skills No One Taught Me: What I Learned by Starting a PhD Abroad

Skills No One Taught Me: What I Learned by Starting a PhD Abroad

UofG PGRs
The PGR Experience, Wellbeing

Skills No One Taught Me: What I Learned by Starting a PhD Abroad

In this PGR Blog post, Nitin Kumar; a Marie Skłodowska-Curie doctoral researcher exploring environmental sensing, reflects on the unexpected challenges of starting a PhD in a new country. He traces how communication, not chemistry, turned out to be his steepest learning curve, and how a candid conversation with his supervisor ("If you do not understand, ask. That is what we are here for.") changed how he approaches research entirely. From misread instructions to finding his voice in discussions, Nitin offers an honest and encouraging account of what it really takes to grow into a confident researcher abroad. If you're navigating a new academic culture, or just learning to ask for help, this one is for you.

In‑between on Purpose: Building a PGR Identity Across Disciplines

In‑between on Purpose: Building a PGR Identity Across Disciplines

UofG PGRs
The PGR Experience, Careers

In‑between on Purpose: Building a PGR Identity Across Disciplines                                               

In this PGR Blog post, Daniele-Hadi Irandoost — a UofG PGR working across intelligence studies, sociology, and democratic accountability reflects on what it means to build a research identity that doesn't fit neatly into one discipline. He traces how his questions kept pulling him across fields and how embracing that "in-between" position ultimately sharpened rather than weakened his scholarship. From navigating clashing disciplinary expectations to building his own community of peers, Daniele offers an honest and encouraging account of the interdisciplinary PGR journey. If your research crosses boundaries or you're not sure where it belongs, this one is for you.

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