Getting Your Thesis Finished: Defeating Self-sabotage

In 2006, Hugh Kearns and his colleague Maria Gardiner from Flinders University, received a prestigious national teaching award from the Carrick Institute for their outstanding contribution to teaching and learning.

Carrick Citation 2006

For innovation in applying the latest psychological and educational research to enhance the quality and effectiveness of the research higher degree study experience.

In 2007 the IRU-A has provided funding to enable a series of masterclasses, based on their innovative work and research, to be held at each of the member universities.

What is covered in a Masterclass?

The masterclass will provide practical strategies to deal with common problems such as:
* procrastination, perfectionism, overcommitting
* writers’ block or putting off writing
* obsessing over the quality of writing
* experimenting or reading (for years even) as a way of avoiding writing
* getting distracted and overcommitting rather than working on the thesis
* thinking the PhD has to be the best PhD ever
* not getting help even when stuck or obviously needing it

Masterclass format

Each masterclass is run over two half-days and will be practical, focussed around participants’ needs, aimed at getting participants moving and most of all fun! Between the two sessions, participants will be expected to put their learning into practice. There will be an email follow-up after the masterclass. Member universities will be encouraged to provide on-going support to the participants.
So that individual attention is given to each participant the maximum number of participants is 15.

Who is the Masterclass for?

Research Higher Degree students who are at least one year into their candidature.
Research education developers who have a role in supporting RHD students.

Masterclass Dates

3-4 APRIL 2007 La Trobe University
(Student evaluation- Defeating Self-Sabotage [pdf] - 7 Secrets of Highly Successful PhD Students [pdf])

14-15 JUNE 2007 Griffith University
(Student evaluation- Defeating Self-Sabotage [pdf] - 7 Secrets of Highly Successful PhD Students [pdf])

19-20 JULY 2007 Newcastle University
(Student evaluation- Defeating Self-Sabotage - 7 Secrets of Highly Successful PhD Students)

23-24 JULY 2007 Macquarie University
(Student evaluation- Defeating Self-Sabotage - 7 Secrets of Highly Successful PhD Students)

8-9 OCTOBER 2007 Murdoch University

For more information about the masterclasses contact:

Fran Banytis: RHD Project Officer, Flinders University
Fran.banytis@flinders.edu.au | 08 8201 3699