The Other Kind of Doctor

Ep 40: Annual Reviews and Upgrades

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 08:00:00 GMT

For the final episode of the year, Souki's back in the co-host chair with Teale along with Eylem who is also back from the last episode! The three co-hosts discuss Annual Reviews and Upgrades. They talk about their experiences, top tips and recent changes to both at Royal Holloway.

Then in Brain Bites, they discuss the physical pains behind being an academic, including Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and other physical pains often experienced by PhD students. The co-hosts talk about what signs to look out for and how to minimise the chances of getting them.

This is also Teale's final episode, but stay tuned next year for new episodes with some new co-hosts!

The Other Kind of Doctor has been hosted by Teale Failla and Soukaina Ben Abdellah, PhD students at Royal Holloway University of London. This episode was guest-hosted by fellow Royal Holloway PGR student, Eylem Tinarlioglu.

Produced by Teale Failla.

Thank you to the Doctoral School at Royal Holloway University of London for sponsoring this podcast.

For further information about The Other Kind of Doctor podcast and team, please visit our website: https://theotherkindofdoctor.wordpress.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 39 - Acing the Viva with Dr Kate Ferry-Swainson

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 08:00:00 GMT

On this episode, Teale is joined by guest co-host Eylem Tinarlioglu who is a fellow Royal Holloway PhD student. They welcome Dr Kate Ferry-Swainson who recently graduated from Royal Holloway, passing her Viva with No Corrections! How is this possible? Listen and find out! Kate has also set up a business advising current students on how to Ace the Viva as well!

Then in Brain Bites, what are the Russell Group and the Ivy League exactly, and are they as comparable as people think? (Hint: the answer is no!)

The Other Kind of Doctor is (normally) hosted by Teale Failla and Soukaina Ben Abdellah, PhD students at Royal Holloway University of London.

Produced by Teale Failla.

Thank you to the Doctoral School at Royal Holloway University of London for sponsoring this podcast.

For further information about The Other Kind of Doctor podcast and team, please visit our website: https://theotherkindofdoctor.wordpress.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep. 38 Digital Wellbeing with Tyler Shores

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 08:00:29 GMT

Co-Pilot, aka CP, steps in to co-host this episode with Teale. Will AI be a suitable replacement for human interaction? Or will Teale become unhinged? And what does our guest Tyler Shores think about all this? Tyler is an expert on Digital Wellbeing and Productivity and teaches a course on the subject, so he's just the person to ask!

Then in Brain Bites, Teale and CP tackle British Writing Conventions, particularly those crucial to writing the PhD thesis. Stay tuned to the end to find out what happens when co-hosts stop being polite, and start getting artificially intelligent!

To find out more about Tyler Shores and the course he teaches on Digital Wellbeing and Productivity, visit: https://tylershores.com/project/digital-productivity.

The awkward in this episode was brought to you by Teale Failla and Microsoft Co-Pilot. Produced by Teale Failla.

Thank you to the Doctoral School at Royal Holloway University of London for sponsoring this podcast for some reason.

For further information about The Other Kind of Doctor podcast and team, please visit our website: https://theotherkindofdoctor.wordpress.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trailer

Sun, 09 Nov 2025 20:09:20 GMT

Welcome to The Other Kind of Doctor, where we sprinkle a bit of fun and absurdity on the brilliance of PhDs! Join our diverse group of PhD candidates as we navigate the maze of research, academia, and life, all with a healthy dose of humour.

Sponsored by the Doctoral School at Royal Holloway University of London, this podcast doesn't feature stethoscopes and scrubs – we’re the other kind of doctor! Here we celebrate the quirks and triumphs of the doctoral journey, sharing insightful conversations, compelling anecdotes, and lots of laughs. Whether you’re knee-deep in research or just curious about academia, our podcast offers a light-hearted take on the serious business of earning a PhD.

Expect thought-provoking discussions, candid interviews with experts, and a unique perspective on the ups and downs of the PhD experience. Upcoming topics this series include how to secure government funding, alternative sources of funding, creative and alternative format PhDs, digital wellbeing, storytelling in the PhD thesis, and how to pass your viva with no corrections!

Subscribe to The Other Kind of Doctor, and let’s explore the fascinating, challenging, and downright absurd moments of the academic world together. Because even the smartest minds can have their not-so-genius moments!

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Hosted by Royal Holloway PhD candidates Teale Failla and Soukaina Ben Abdellah. Produced by Teale Failla.

For more information about our podcast and amazing team, please visit https://theotherkindofdoctor.wordpress.com

Thank you to the Doctoral School at Royal Holloway University of London for sponsoring this podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep. 37 Alternative Sources of Funding

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 08:00:00 GMT

On this episode, hosts Teale and Souki talk with Dr Luke Blaxill, founder of The Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding, about how you can help fund your PhD, whether or not you received UKRI funding or you have already started your doctoral studies.

Then in Brain Bites, Spooky Souki and Terrifying Teale delve into the origins of Halloween, its history in the British Isles and influence on Guy Fawkes Night.

The Other Kind of Doctor is hosted by Teale Failla and Soukaina Ben Abdellah, PhD students at Royal Holloway University of London.

Produced by Teale Failla.

Thank you to the Doctoral School at Royal Holloway University of London for sponsoring this podcast.

For further information about The Other Kind of Doctor podcast and team, please visit our website: https://theotherkindofdoctor.wordpress.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep. 36 UKRI Funding

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 15:00:00 GMT

Our co-hosts, Teale and Reverie, are joined by Professor Dawn Watling. Dawn is Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Postgraduate Research) and Professor of Psychology at Royal Holloway University of London. In this episode, Dawn talks about UKRI funding for PhD students, discussing different research councils, the relationship between UKRI funding schemes and individual universities, and what level of funding is available. Lastly, she provides top tips for anyone who wants to pursue funding for a PhD in the UK.

Stay tuned until the end of the episode for this week’s Brain Bites: What IS a PhD?

The Other Kind of Doctor is hosted by Teale Failla and Reverie Black. Produced by Teale Failla.

Thank you to the Doctoral School at Royal Holloway University of London for sponsoring this podcast.

For further information about The Other Kind of Doctor podcast and team, please visit our website: https://theotherkindofdoctor.wordpress.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep.35 Neurodivergence Support and the PhD

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 15:00:00 GMT

Our hosts, Soukaina and Reverie, are joined by Zeyad Altholoth. Zeyad is a fellow PhD student at Royal Holloway University of London in the Department of Health Studies. In this episode, Zeyad shares his experiences of starting PhD study as a student with ADHD, discusses the importance of normalising conversations about neurodiversity, and explains how to access specialist support within the University. Lastly, he provides top tips on study environments and assistive technology for other ‘neuro-spicy’ students.

Stay tuned until the end of the episode for this week’s Brain Bites: Is multi-factor authentication counterproductive to data privacy?

This episode was produced by Reverie Black and hosted by Soukaina Ben Abdallah.

Sound engineering by Teale Failla.

Thank you to the Doctoral School at Royal Holloway University of London for sponsoring this podcast.

For further information about The Other Kind of Doctor podcast and team, please visit our website: https://theotherkindofdoctor.wordpress.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 34 Welcome to the new co-hosts and top tips for first year PhDs

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 15:00:00 GMT

This week, the Series 3 opener introduces our new TOKD co-hosts: Soukaina Ben Abdellah, Reverie Black and Teale Failla, PhD students at Royal Holloway University of London. In this episode, the hosts discuss their backgrounds, what led each of them to their PhD, and what they are studying. They talk about their reasons for joining the podcast and provide top tips for first-year students beginning their PhD 'quests'.

Stay tuned until the end of the episode for this week’s Brain Bites: What are the best snacks for studying?

The Other Kind of Doctor is hosted by Teale Failla, Reverie Black and Soukaina Ben Abdallah.

Produced by Teale Failla.

Thank you to the Doctoral School at Royal Holloway University of London for sponsoring this podcast.

For further information about The Other Kind of Doctor podcast and team, please visit our website: https://theotherkindofdoctor.wordpress.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Series 3 Trailer

Mon, 22 Sep 2025 15:00:00 GMT

Welcome to Series 3 of The Other Kind of Doctor, where we sprinkle a bit of fun and absurdity on the brilliance of PhDs! Join our diverse group of PhD candidates as we navigate the maze of research, academia, and life, all with a healthy dose of humour.

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Series Three is hosted by Royal Holloway PhD candidates Teale Failla, Soukaina Ben Abdellah and Reverie Black.

Produced by Teale Failla.

For more information about our podcast and amazing team, please visit https://theotherkindofdoctor.wordpress.com

Thank you to the Doctoral School at Royal Holloway University of London for sponsoring this podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 33 The FINAL Episode (of Series 2)

Wed, 07 May 2025 14:16:33 GMT

Welcome to the last episode of Series 2 of The Other Kind of Doctor podcast! As Gemma and Gaia are graduating this year and stepping down as hosts, they spend this episode looking back over their PhD journeys and reflecting on things they have learnt along the way.

Stay tuned for the end of the episode for this week's 'Brain Bites' - Why do we feel nostalgic for old media?

The Other Kind of Doctor podcast will be returning in Autumn 2025, with new hosts, new topics, and new guests!

For more information about our podcast, please visit https://theotherkindofdoctor.wordpress.com

Thank you to the Doctoral School at Royal Holloway University of London for sponsoring this podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 32 Building a successful supervisory relationship - with Katherine Griffiths

Tue, 06 May 2025 14:03:10 GMT

This week, Gemma and Ryan are joined by Katherine Griffiths. Katherine is a PhD student at Royal Holloway. In this episode, Katherine talks about her experience in building a successful supervisor-student relationship, balancing being independent and needing help from your supervisor, and how to manage expectations. Finally, she provides her top tips for PhD students wanting to build a positive supervisory relationship.

Stay tuned for the end of the episode for this week's 'Brain Bites' - How long does it take for a house to feel like a home?

For more information about our podcast, please visit https://theotherkindofdoctor.wordpress.com

Thank you to the Doctoral School at Royal Holloway University of London for sponsoring this podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 31 Impact during the PhD - with Emily Gow

Mon, 14 Apr 2025 07:00:00 GMT

This week, Gemma and Gaia are joined by Emily Gow. Emily is a research impact manager at Royal Holloway. In this episode, Emily explains what impact is, why it is important, and how this differs from public engagement. Finally, she provides her top tips for PhD students wanting to maximise their research impact.

Stay tuned for the end of the episode for this week's 'Brain Bites' - Do we prefer the countryside when we get older?

For more information about our podcast, please visit https://theotherkindofdoctor.wordpress.com

Thank you to the Doctoral School at Royal Holloway University of London for sponsoring this podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 30 Nature and the PhD - with Prof Dawn Watling

Sun, 06 Apr 2025 07:00:00 GMT

This week, Gemma and Gaia are joined by Prof Dawn Watling. Dawn is associate pro-vice-chancellor of postgraduate research at Royal Holloway. In this episode, Dawn shares why it is important to go out into nature as a PhD student, whether house plants count as nature, and what to do if you have limited access to natural spaces. Finally, she provides her top tips for making the most out of nature.

Stay tuned for the end of the episode for this week's 'Brain Bites' - Is it true that opposites attract?

For more information about our podcast, please visit https://theotherkindofdoctor.wordpress.com

Thank you to the Doctoral School at Royal Holloway University of London for sponsoring this podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 29 Building a PhD Community

Sun, 30 Mar 2025 07:00:00 GMT

This week, Gemma and Gaia discuss how to build a stronger PhD community. They discuss how a strong PhD community can help with managing loneliness, and provide tips on how to get things started.

Stay tuned for the end of the episode for this week's 'Brain Bites' - What is better, audiobooks or physical books?

For more information about our podcast, please visit https://theotherkindofdoctor.wordpress.com

Thank you to the Doctoral School at Royal Holloway University of London for sponsoring this podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 28 Careers in Industry - with Dr Tim Holmes

Tue, 04 Mar 2025 11:11:05 GMT

This week, Gemma and Gaia are joined by Dr Tim Holmes. Tim earned a PhD in neuroscience at Royal Holloway, and later transitioned to industry, working with clients such as Coca-Cola, Apple, and Disney. In this episode, Tim shares his experience of transitioning to industry, what motivated him to make this change, and describes the differences between academic research and industry research. Lastly, he gives his top tips for PhD students looking to pursue a career in industry.

Find Tim's LinkedIn profile here.

Stay tuned for the end of the episode for this week's 'Brain Bites' - Do daylight lamps actually work?

For more information about our podcast, please visit https://theotherkindofdoctor.wordpress.com

Thank you to the Doctoral School at Royal Holloway University of London for sponsoring this podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 27 Perfectionism during the PhD

Thu, 27 Feb 2025 15:44:10 GMT

This week, Gemma and Gaia discuss how to deal with perfectionism as a PhD student. They discuss why perfectionism is more common in academics, why this is not always helpful while studying for a PhD, and provide some tips for dealing with perfectionism.

Stay tuned for the end of the episode for this week's 'Brain Bites' - What are some of the most unusual research areas?

For more information about our podcast, please visit https://theotherkindofdoctor.wordpress.com

Thank you to the Doctoral School at Royal Holloway University of London for sponsoring this podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 26 The Creative PhD - with Brandon Wade

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 10:25:43 GMT

This week, Gemma and Gaia are joined by Brandon Wade. Brandon is a PhD student and lecturer in the Media Arts department at Royal Holloway. In this episode, Brandon shares his experience of studying for his creative PhD, discusses what the application process was like, and highlights some of the challenges he has experienced. Lastly, he gives his top tips for individuals wanting to pursue a creative PhD.

Stay tuned for the end of the episode for this week's 'Brain Bites' - Why do we rewatch TV shows so much?

For more information about our podcast, please visit https://theotherkindofdoctor.wordpress.com

Thank you to the Doctoral School at Royal Holloway University of London for sponsoring this podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 25 Managing chronic illness as a PhD student - with Simran Frontain

Mon, 03 Feb 2025 08:00:00 GMT

**Please note: This episode contains discussions of mental health and suicide**

If you are experiencing distress, please contact Samaritans on 116 123, open 24/7, or call 999 (UK) in an emergency

This week, Gemma and Gaia are joined by Simran Frontain. Simran is a PhD student in the Classics department at Royal Holloway, University of London. In this episode, Simran shares her experience in academia with chronic illnesses, and how this has influenced her education journey, as well as explaining what support supervisors need to give to students that have chronic illnesses. Lastly, she gives a key piece of advice that would help other individuals suffering from chronic illnesses embarking on their PhD journey.

Stay tuned for the end of the episode for this week's 'Brain Bites' - Will a four-day work week actually work?

For more information about our podcast, please visit https://theotherkindofdoctor.wordpress.com

Thank you to the Doctoral School at Royal Holloway University of London for sponsoring this podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 24 Conferences and Networking - with Ian Lacey

Tue, 28 Jan 2025 16:18:07 GMT

This week, Gemma and Gaia are joined by Ian Lacey. Ian is a PhD student in the Department of History at Royal Holloway, University of London. In this episode, Ian shares why PhD students should be networking/ going to conferences, how to get over the awkwardness of chatting to people you’ve never met, as well as discussing the importance of a strong online profile. Lastly, he gives his top tips for PhD students wanting wanting to network at conferences and events.

Stay tuned for the end of the episode for this week's 'Brain Bites' - How many people in the UK have a PhD?

For more information about our podcast, please visit https://theotherkindofdoctor.wordpress.com

Thank you to the Doctoral School at Royal Holloway University of London for sponsoring this podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 23 Looking after your wellbeing - with Dr Vanita Chamdal

Mon, 13 Jan 2025 08:00:17 GMT

This week, Gemma and Gaia are joined by Dr Vanita Chamdal. Vanita is a Teaching Fellow at Royal Holloway and a therapist. In this episode, Vanita shares why it is important to look after your wellbeing whilst also making sure you are still productive, and what support supervisors and universities should be providing to PhD students. Lastly, she gives his top tips for protecting your wellbeing when studying.

Stay tuned for the end of the episode for this week's 'Brain Bites' - Do astrological signs influence personality?

For more information about our podcast, please visit https://theotherkindofdoctor.wordpress.com

Thank you to the Doctoral School at Royal Holloway University of London for sponsoring this podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 22 Securing a Research Post-Doc - with Dr Jamie Moffatt

Wed, 11 Dec 2024 11:30:47 GMT

This week, Gemma and Gaia are joined by Dr Jamie Moffatt. Jamie is a Post-doctoral Fellow. In this episode, Jamie shares his experience of securing a research post-doctoral position after his PhD, and discusses how to approach potential labs as well as how to know if a post-doc is right for you. Lastly, he gives his top tips for PhD students wanting to apply for a research post-doc

Stay tuned for the end of the episode for this week's 'Brain Bites' - How do dog and cat people differ?

For more information about our podcast, please visit https://theotherkindofdoctor.wordpress.com

Thank you to the Doctoral School at Royal Holloway University of London for sponsoring this podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 21 Taking an Interruption during the PhD - with Dr Matthew Talbot

Wed, 04 Dec 2024 10:35:53 GMT

This week, Gemma and Gaia are joined by Dr Matthew Talbot. Matt is a Teaching Fellow in the Department of Psychology at Royal Holloway, University of London. In this episode, Matt shares his experience of taking an interruption during the PhD and how to get back into a routine after taking one, as well as discussing what universities and supervisors can do to support PhD students wanting to take an interruption. Lastly, he gives his top tips for PhD students wanting to take an interruption.

Stay tuned for the end of the episode for this week's 'Brain Bites' - Can you become a morning person?

For more information about our podcast, please visit https://theotherkindofdoctor.wordpress.com

Thank you to the Doctoral School at Royal Holloway University of London for sponsoring this podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 20 PhDs and Relationships

Tue, 12 Nov 2024 17:30:19 GMT

This week, Gemma and Gaia are joined by Courtney Hooton. Courtney is a Psychology PhD student at Royal Holloway, and is also guest manager for The Other Kind of Doctor podcast! In this episode, Although they aren't relationship experts, Gaia, Gemma and Courtney share their experience of balancing a relationship while studying for a PhD, and discuss tips for supporting a partner that is studying for a PhD.

Stay tuned for the end of the episode for this week's 'Brain Bites' - Are naps a good thing to do?

For more information about our podcast, please visit https://theotherkindofdoctor.wordpress.com

Thank you to the Doctoral School at Royal Holloway University of London for sponsoring this podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 19 Getting back into a routine after summer

Mon, 04 Nov 2024 10:57:27 GMT

This week, Gemma and Gaia discuss how to get back into a routine after summer! They discuss we struggle to get back into a routine after a break, and suggest their top tips for getting back into the swing of PhD-Life.

Stay tuned for the end of the episode for this week's 'Brain Bites' - How much sleep do you actually need?

For more information about our podcast, please visit https://theotherkindofdoctor.wordpress.com

Thank you to the Doctoral School at Royal Holloway University of London for sponsoring this podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 18 Surviving Your First Term as a PhD Student

Mon, 28 Oct 2024 11:02:53 GMT

Welcome back to Season 2 of The Other Kind of Doctor! This week, Gemma and Gaia discuss how to survive your first term as PhD student! They share the challenges they faced when they started their PhD, how to transition to a new way of working, and establishing your support network as a PhD student.

Stay tuned for the end of the episode for this week's 'Brain Bites' - Do fidget toys help with concentration?

For more information about our podcast, please visit https://theotherkindofdoctor.wordpress.com

Thank you to the Doctoral School at Royal Holloway University of London for sponsoring this podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

BONUS EPISODE! Best Bits and Bloopers from Series 1

Wed, 28 Aug 2024 08:40:16 GMT

We get a lot of comments on our podcast explaining how 'professional' and 'seamless' our podcast episodes are... So we thought we would share our many bloopers from Series 1!

We had such a great time recording Series 1, and we will be back very soon with exciting new content for Series 2.

Enjoy! (and apologies to our supervisors)

Edited by Series 1 Podcast Editor, Teale Failla

For more information about our podcast, please visit https://theotherkindofdoctor.wordpress.com

Thank you to the Doctoral School at Royal Holloway University of London for sponsoring this podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 17 Working full-time during the PhD - with Lewis Champion

Mon, 17 Jun 2024 09:39:37 GMT

This week, Gemma and Gaia are joined by Lewis Champion. Lewis is a History PhD student at Royal Holloway, and is also working full-time as a Data Analyst. In this episode, Lewis shares his experience of working full-time while studying for a PhD, and discusses how to maintain a good work-life balance, as well as some of the challenges he has experienced. Lastly, he gives his top tips for working full-time while completing a PhD.

Stay tuned for the end of the episode for this week's 'Brain Bites' - Do lie detectors actually work?

For a full transcription of the episode, please visit our website (https://theotherkindofdoctor.wordpress.com/episodes/)

Thank you to the Doctoral School at Royal Holloway University of London for sponsoring this podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 16 Research and Practice - with Jo Grace

Mon, 10 Jun 2024 14:48:09 GMT

This week, Gemma and Gaia are joined by Jo Grace. Jo is studying for a PhD at the University of Southampton, and is also the founder of The Sensory Project. In this episode, Jo shares her experience of transitioning from working within practice to working in research, and discusses what can be done to improve collaboration between research and practice.

Stay tuned for the end of the episode for this week's 'Brain Bites' - Do highlighters actually help learning, or do they just look pretty?

For a full transcription of the episode, please visit our website (https://theotherkindofdoctor.wordpress.com/episodes/)

Thank you to the Doctoral School at Royal Holloway University of London for sponsoring this podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 15 Completing a Long-distance PhD - with Sarah Richardson

Tue, 04 Jun 2024 13:05:39 GMT

This week, Gemma and Gaia are joined by Sarah Richardson. Sarah is an English PhD student ay Royal Holloway. In this episode, Sarah shares her experience as a long-distance PhD student, how to set boundaries when working from home, as well some of the challenges she has experienced. Lastly, she gives her top tips for long-distance PhD students.

Stay tuned for the end of the episode for this week's 'Brain Bites' - Is it better to take handwritten notes or computer notes?

For a full transcription of the episode, please visit our website (https://theotherkindofdoctor.wordpress.com/episodes/)

Thank you to the Doctoral School at Royal Holloway University of London for sponsoring this podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 14 The Professional Practice PhD - with Arshia Choudhury

Mon, 27 May 2024 11:23:08 GMT

This week, Gemma and Gaia are joined by Arshia Choudhury. Arshia is studying for a DClinPsy (Clinical Psychology Doctorate) at Royal Holloway. In this episode, Arshia shares her experience of studying for her professional practice PhD, how this differs to a research PhD, as well some of the challenges she has experienced. Lastly, she gives her top tips for students studying a professional practice PhD.

Stay tuned for the end of the episode for this week's 'Brain Bites' - What influence has 'BookTok' had on getting adults back into reading?

For a full transcription of the episode, please visit our website (https://theotherkindofdoctor.wordpress.com/episodes/)

Thank you to the Doctoral School at Royal Holloway University of London for sponsoring this podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 13 The PhD as an international student - with Cheng-Yu Hsieh

Mon, 20 May 2024 13:19:22 GMT

This week, Gemma and Gaia are joined by Cheng-Yu Hsieh. Cheng-Yu is a third year PhD student at Royal Holloway. In this episode, Cheng-Yu shares his experience as an international PhD student, how to approach potential supervisors, as well some of the challenges he has experienced. Lastly, he gives his top tips for international PhD students.

Stay tuned for the end of the episode for this week's 'Brain Bites' - What are the wellbeing effects of dancing to your favourite songs?

For a full transcription of the episode, please visit our website (https://theotherkindofdoctor.wordpress.com/episodes/)

Thank you to the Doctoral School at Royal Holloway University of London for sponsoring this podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 12 Overcoming writer's block

Mon, 13 May 2024 10:14:36 GMT

This week, Gemma and Gaia discuss overcoming writer's block by following advice from Dr Vicky Penn, who is a researcher development officer at Royal Holloway. They discuss different techniques such as the pomodoro method and freewriting, and reflect on their own experiences of (trying to) overcome writer's block.

Stay tuned for the end of the episode for this week's 'Brain Bites' - Is taking your annual leave really that important?

For a full transcription of the episode, please visit our website (https://theotherkindofdoctor.wordpress.com/episodes/)

Thank you to the Doctoral School at Royal Holloway University of London for sponsoring this podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 11 Changing Academic Fields - with Ryan Jefferies

Tue, 07 May 2024 08:36:50 GMT

This week, Gaia is joined by our very own Ryan Jefferies. Ryan is a first year PhD student in Psychology at Royal Holloway, but his academic career started with an undergraduate degree in History at UCL. In this episode, Ryan shares his experience of changing academic field, taking a long break from academia, and finding the love of his life in the process. Lastly, he gives his top tips for students wanting to change academic field.

Stay tuned for the end of the episode for this week's 'Brain Bites' - Does having a creative hobby help you unwind?

For a full transcription of the episode, please visit our website (https://theotherkindofdoctor.wordpress.com/episodes/)

Thank you to the Doctoral School at Royal Holloway University of London for sponsoring this podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 10 Doing a study visit during your PhD - with Pip Brown

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 07:00:51 GMT

This week, Gemma and ~~Gaia~~ Ryan are joined by Pip Brown. Pip is a third year PhD student from the University of Warwick, currently at Royal Holloway on their second study visit. In this episode, Pip shares their experience of doing a study visit during the PhD, how to approach potential research groups for study visits, as well as how to get back into the swing of PhD life when you come back. Lastly, they gives their top tips for PhD students wanting to do a study visit.

Stay tuned for the end of the episode for this week's 'Brain Bites' - Why do we feel guilty for having a day off sick?

Thank you to the Doctoral School at Royal Holloway University of London for sponsoring this podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 9 Entering Motherhood during the PhD - with Dr Sarah Sampson

Mon, 08 Apr 2024 07:00:09 GMT

This week, Gemma and Gaia are joined by Dr Sarah Sampson. Sarah is a Teaching Associate in the Department of Psychology at Royal Holloway, University of London. In this episode, Sarah shares her experience of entering motherhood during the PhD and returning to academia after a career break, as well as discussing what universities and supervisors can do to support mothers in academia. Lastly, she gives her top tips for PhD students entering motherhood.

Stay tuned for the end of the episode for this week's 'Brain Bites' - Are pets good for our well-being?

For a full transcription of the episode, please visit our website (https://theotherkindofdoctor.wordpress.com/episodes/)

Thank you to the Doctoral School at Royal Holloway University of London for sponsoring this podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 8 AI in Academia - with Prof. Chris Watkins

Mon, 01 Apr 2024 07:00:15 GMT

This week, Gemma and Gaia are joined by Prof. Chris Watkins. Chris is a Professor of Machine Learning at the Department of Computer Science in Royal Holloway, University of London, and has had a long-standing interest in artificial intelligence (AI)I. In this episode, Chris shares his experience of AI, his thoughts on the ethical implications of using AI in research, and how our role as academics might change after the launch of Gen AI. Lastly, he gives his top tips for PhD students that want to use AI in their research.

To find out more about Chris' work, check out his website https://www.cs.rhul.ac.uk/~chrisw/

Stay tuned for the end of the episode for this week's 'Brain Bites' - Does having a tidy/ aesthetic workspace help with productivity?

For a full transcription of the episode, please visit our website (https://theotherkindofdoctor.wordpress.com/episodes/)

Thank you to the Doctoral School at Royal Holloway University of London for sponsoring this podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 7 Is it worth doing a Master's before your PhD?

Mon, 25 Mar 2024 08:00:02 GMT

This week, Gemma and Gaia discuss the pros and cons of doing a Master's before your PhD, compared to going straight from undergraduate to PhD. Gaia and Gemma share their experiences, and have a look at some of the advice from careers websites. Let us know, did you do a Master's before your PhD, what has been your experience?

Stay tuned for the end of the episode for this week's 'Brain Bites' - Does going out in the sunshine help your wellbeing?

For a full transcription of the episode, please visit our website (https://theotherkindofdoctor.wordpress.com/episodes/)

Thank you to the Doctoral School at Royal Holloway University of London for sponsoring this podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 6 Dealing with Rejection in Academia with Prof. Saloni Krishnan

Sun, 17 Mar 2024 08:00:25 GMT

This week, Gemma and Gaia are joined by Prof. Saloni Krishnan. Saloni is a Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience at Royal Holloway, University of London, and has had amazing success within her academic career, however within this she has had her fair share of rejection. In this episode, Saloni shares her experiences of rejection in academia, how to pick yourself up after a set back, and explains how rejection can sometimes be a good thing! Lastly, she gives her top tips for PhD students who have experienced their first rejection.

You can find Saloni on Twitter (X): @salonikrishnan, or on her lab website http://ncodelab.com/

Stay tuned for the end of the episode for this week's 'Brain Bites' - You shouldn't eat before swimming - myth or fact?

For a full transcription of the episode, please visit our website (https://theotherkindofdoctor.wordpress.com/episodes/)

Thank you to the Doctoral School at Royal Holloway University of London for sponsoring this podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 5 Presenting your Research like a Pro - with Dr Beatrice Hayes

Mon, 11 Mar 2024 08:00:46 GMT

This week, Gemma and Gaia are joined by Dr Beatrice Hayes. Beatrice is a Teaching Fellow at Royal Holloway, University of London, and has lots of experience presenting her research confidently. In this episode, Beatrice shares her experiences of public speaking in academia, how presenting your research can help with your viva, and how to manage the scary post-talk questions. Lastly, she gives her top tips for PhD students that are nervous about presenting.

You can find Beatrice on Twitter (X): @drbeatricehayes

Stay tuned for the end of the episode for this week's 'Brain Bites' - Is it helpful to picture your audience naked when presenting?

For a full transcription of the episode, please visit our website (https://theotherkindofdoctor.wordpress.com/episodes/)

Thank you to the Doctoral School at Royal Holloway University of London for sponsoring this podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 4 Neurodivergence and the PhD - with Hannah Jones

Mon, 04 Mar 2024 08:00:16 GMT

This week, Gemma and Gaia are joined by Hannah Jones. Hannah is a fellow PhD student at Royal Holloway, University of London, and is researching reading motivation for individuals with developmental language disorders. In this episode, Hannah shares her experiences of academia as someone who is neurodivergent, and discusses what universities and supervisors can do to support neurodivergent individuals. Lastly, she gives her top tips for other neurodivergent PhD students on navigating the academic world.

Stay tuned for the end of the episode for this week's 'Brain Bites' - Does caffeine reduce ADHD symptoms?

For a full transcription of the episode, please visit our website (https://theotherkindofdoctor.wordpress.com/episodes/)

Thank you to the Doctoral School at Royal Holloway University of London for sponsoring this podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 3 Teaching alongside your PhD

Mon, 26 Feb 2024 08:00:11 GMT

This week, Gemma and Gaia discuss how to survive teaching alongside your PhD. They share the challenges they faced when they started their teaching roles, developing your confidence as a new teacher, and how a teaching role can boost your involvement in the department.

Stay tuned for the end of the episode for this week's 'Brain Bites' - Do fancy clothes make you more productive?

For a full transcription of the episode, please visit our website (https://theotherkindofdoctor.wordpress.com/episodes/)

Thank you to the Doctoral School at Royal Holloway University of London for sponsoring this podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 2 Toxic Productivity

Mon, 19 Feb 2024 08:00:02 GMT

This week, Gemma and Gaia discuss toxic productivity in academia, and how this can impact PhD students. They discuss their own experiences with toxic productivity, how to tell the difference between just being productive and toxic productivity, as well as sharing some tips on how to set boundaries and look after your wellbeing as a PhD student.

Stay tuned for the end of the episode for this week's 'Brain Bites' - Can office plants improve your wellbeing?

For a full transcription of the episode, please visit our website (https://theotherkindofdoctor.wordpress.com/episodes/)

Thank you to the Doctoral School at Royal Holloway University of London for sponsoring this podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 1 Managing Procrastination

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 08:00:20 GMT

In this episode, our hosts, Gemma and Gaia, reflect on their journey to becoming PhD students and their experiences so far in the complicated world of academia.

This week, Gemma and Gaia discuss their experiences of procrastination as a PhD student. They delve into why we procrastinate and share some evidence-based top tips on how to overcome procrastination!

Stay tuned for the end of the episode for this week's 'Brain Bites' - Are new years resolutions actually effective?

For a full transcription of the episode, please visit our website (https://theotherkindofdoctor.wordpress.com/episodes/)

Thank you to the Doctoral School at Royal Holloway University of London for sponsoring this podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Series 1&2 Trailer

Mon, 05 Feb 2024 08:00:41 GMT

Welcome to The Other Kind of Doctor podcast, where we celebrate the exciting (but crazy) journey of earning a PhD and working within academia. Join our hosts, Gemma and Gaia, as they explore the diverse and unique stories of fellow PhD students, academics and other professionals, who have navigated the challenges and triumphs of academia. From ground-breaking research to personal narratives, each episode is a deep dive into the world of academia and beyond. Special thanks to our amazing podcast team and the Royal Holloway Doctoral School for their invaluable support on this project.

Thank you to the Doctoral School at Royal Holloway University of London for sponsoring this podcast.

Subscribe now and join us on this extraordinary academic adventure!

Transcription: (also available on our website)

Gemma: Hello and welcome to 'The Other Kind of Doctor' podcast. My name is Gemma.

Gaia: And my name is Gaia and we are both on the journey of gaining a PhD.

Gemma: At 'The Other Kind of Doctor', we celebrate the quirks and triumphs of the doctoral journey.

Gaia: We'll be sharing insightful conversations with academic and industry experts, fellow PhD students, and a whole host of other guests.

Gemma: We'll be exploring their doctoral journeys and their top tips to succeed in academia and beyond.

Gaia: As well as having a few laughs on the way...

Gemma: Whether you are knee deep in research or just curious about academia, our podcast offers a light-hearted take on the serious business of earning a PhD.

Gaia: You can expect topics such as career, post-PhD, managing toxic productivity, and supporting wellbeing as a PhD student.

Gemma: Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast on your chosen podcast platform and check out our Instagram and Twitter accounts: @otherdoctor_pod as well as our website: theotherkindofdoctor.wordpress.com.

Gaia: Enjoy the podcast and we look forward to chatting to you soon.

Gemma and Gaia: Bye!

NOTE: The podcast no longer has a Twitter or X account and our Instagram handle is now @tokd.official (link above).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.