1 “What I know now that I wish I’d known when I started” or

“Its your journey”

Anja DaltonRBI PGR welcome event: Mon 20th February 2012

My journey

Topic: exploratory study to understand gender differences and social influence in cycling

3 yr f/t EPSRC funded project (Dec ‘08 – Nov ‘11) (+1 yr p/t s/f prior to that – on different topic)

Cross-disciplinary team & fields:Health: Dr Jane Powell (DoS), Dr Paul PilkingtonTransport: Prof. Graham Parkhurst (CTS)

Part of iConnect consortium (www.iconnect.ac.uk) which aims to evaluate the Sustrans' Connect2 programme (www.sustransconnect2.org.uk)

Me; mature, married, ENFJ (Idealist)

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The Highs

Freedom (ways of working, practicalities, pursuing your interests)

Excitement: new ideas, new challenges, growth, changing your expectations of yourself

Contributing to knowledge Working with others: run reading group, peer

support group, social activities, part of an active group, learning from others

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The Lows

Workload (deadlines, juggling, waiting for feedback) Financial pressures Time for others in your life & for you to do what you

enjoy (different balance for everyone, need to find yours)

Difficulties of work – timescales, problem solving, ‘feeling your way’, getting over anxiety of not knowing

People challenges; negotiations with supervisors, interference or isolation,

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Cross-disciplinary Challenges

Most PGR’s work across disciplines to some extent

Can’t keep everyone happy all the time Different ways of viewing the same thing;

more creative, but more challenges ‘Belonging’ & ‘ownership’ important Allow time to create different relationships

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Opportunities everywhere?

Take advantage of opportunities for growth & development: training, development & other opportunities

UWE, Vitae, Summer schools, seminars, conferences, teaching, papers, etc

Leadership in Action & GradSchool (but beware costs! time, getting side-

tracked, financial)

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Expect change / always have a Plan B! A few of the things which have changed in

the course of my PhD: Supervisory arrangements Methodology (mixed-method to

qualitative) Mode Timescales/University

culture

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Enjoy your journey!

Thank you for listening

Anja DaltonPhD Research StudentDept. of Health & Life

Sciences/Centre for Transport & Society

T: 0117 328 3025E: anja2.dalton@uwe.ac.uk