Thriving in Part-time Doctoral Research: PGRs share what they love most about part-time research

October 2, 2023 UofG PGRs

Photo: Book: Thriving In Part Time Doctoral Study - Jon Rainford and Kay Guccione

Part-time study carries its own set of challenges, risks and rewards, which are often distinct from those experienced by full-time researchers. In addition, it can sometimes feel like the wider research environment is geared toward full-time study, and consequently not enough light is shone on all the positive facets of part-time doctoral researchers’ experience.

We invited part-time researchers from across the University to help us change that by sharing all the things they love most about their part-time doctoral experience. Researchers really took the time to reflect deeply on their part-time research practice, and how they have been able to successfully navigate the unique circumstances of part-time doctoral work.

Their contributions were enlightening, inspiring, and encouraging, and open a fantastic discursive space which provides us with a close look at this sometime underrepresented area of research practice.

This is what they said:

Part-time study has been amazing for me. My previous doctoral work in education was derailed by medical disabilities which have since made it difficult to re-engage professionally. I have found academia, like the world, is often difficult to participate as a person with disabilities.  The part-time asynchronous program design provides flexibility of when and how I engage in my studies as my wellness and disabilities allow, this has provided the opportunity for my success in my first year of studies.  My passion for the field of education has never waned, however my focus has needed to shift in regaining and maintaining new levels of wellness.  Part-time doctoral work provides the space I need to focus on my wellness while pursuing my learning and career in education.

2nd year PhD Researcher, COSS

I am not a newcomer to part-time study having completed my undergraduate degree over 5 years with the Open University. I find that being a ‘part-time’ doctoral researcher allows me to fit in all of those other important aspects of my life – family (young and older) and charity work. Part time research allows me to be very flexible with my time, but my work space is sacrosanct! No-one is to touch it. Being a part time researcher means I live at home, away from the university, which can be challenging to my identity – am I really a doctoral researcher? But I remind myself that all doctoral researchers are often quietly in ‘their own space’ in the university buildings so I hold my head up for a few seconds and remember and then put my head down again into a book – after all, my thesis won’t write itself.

3rd year PhR Researcher, CoAH

I'm absolutely loving my journey so far! Returning to full-time study was not an option for me, as I'm in my early fifties now and I have a plethora of work, caring and other personal commitments and obligations. However, part-time Doctoral research presented me with the opportunity to pursue a lifelong ambition of engaging in critical research on a topic which is close to my heart, without compromising my other commitments. Yes, it's challenging, yes it's difficult, and yes it's exhausting at times, but I know that if and when I complete my research, it will be worth every single minute of it! I get fantastic support from the University, and I try insofar as possible to participate in student life. In some ways, this has brought me back to my young manhood, when I read widely, went to lots and lots of music gigs, and generally embraced life with eyes wide open. I could not have done this if part-time research wasn't available as an option to me.

3rd year PhD Researcher, COSS

Part-time research for me, Is an affair of the heart, That consumes every fibre of my being, My body plays out an extemporized interplaying dance, Feet placed on Gilmorehill cloister, Then, leaping across an in-between space, The other side is everyday life, Close friends, coffee and long, meaningful conversations, Church, on my knees with hands clasped, ready to receive mass, Work, hands setting up a rig and eyes navigating forms on a clipboard. Friends embraced and kissed, Then my body leaps back over the in-between space. The taste of mass in my mouth and the smell of incense on my clothes, Then my body leaps back over the in-between space. The sound of a flight case closing and ink on my hands, Then my body leaps back over the in-between space. The interplaying dance, Weaves a transparent weave, Across the in-between space. The threads of each weave connect to my heart.

3rd Year PhD Researcher, COSS

If you’re part of our part-time research community, and this has left you feeling inspired, why not join the conversation? Leave us a comment below letting us know how you feel about your part-time doctoral work.

If you’d like to read more about navigating the Part-Time Doctoral Experience, you can find the recent publication Thriving in Part-Time Doctoral Study, co-authored by our very own Kay Guccione, alongside Open University academic Jon Rainford in the University Library. I’d absolutely encourage all of you to take the opportunity offered by this text to really reflect on your own part-time research practice, and how you can successfully navigate the unique circumstances of part-time doctoral work. 

If you’re a part of our wider research community, and this resonated with you, please get in touch and let us know!