meeting at RMIT Wednesday OCT 25th, sponsored by the ALIA research commitee

Fascinating meeting tonight at RMIT about doing a doctorate, sponsored by the ALIA Research committee with Professor Ross Harvey, Charles Sturt University, Dr Bonna Jones, RMIT University,and Dr Peter Macauley, Manager, Faculty of Education Library Services & Waterfront Campus Library Deakin University.

The title, “A new challenge or a must have?” was very apt in light of the credential creep currently overtaking the LIS world, but the main thing I took away from the evening was the enthusiasm of the presenters for the PHD process and the satisfactions to be had when all the hard work results in a PHD. Dr Macauley of Deakin spoke convincingly of the joys of becoming a knowledge producer rather than a knowledge consumer, and the ensuing ability to influence colleagues and make a difference based on your own research.

Dr Harvey from CSU spoke of the nuts and bolts of entry requirements, money matters and research topics now being undertaken by current PHd candidates, and the field was surprisingly wide, with Information Seeking Behaviour and Information Literacy the latest bestsellers. It is possible to do the doctorate in other academic departments other than the LIS area, depending on the supervisors available in the subject you wish to investigate. A coursework Masters isnt enough of itself to guarantee admission to the PHD, there needs to be some evidence of research ability, for example acting as a researcher or a record of publication, but as Dr Macauley noted “You dont have to be the sharpest tool in the shed, guts determination and resilience will take you a long way”

Dr Bonna Jones spoke vividly her own journey on the path to the PHD, with some valuable anecdotes about time management, how to get back on track when you have wandered from your schedule (get back into your reading, disagree and take notes!) and the wisdom of letting a problem sit and resolve itself..as well as taking adequate holidays and setting deadlines. Practise your pitch, take the opportunity to explain your thesis in 2 minutes whenever anyone asks and don’t worry if it keeps changing! How to choose a supervisor and all the questions you should ask were explained, with a final proviso that a little research before you begin can help your potential supervisor advise you more tellingly. University websites and Research Offices as well as past students and the Jason database of scholarships available for doctoral research could all be consulted. An excellent resource for prospective students in the PHD is also “Doctorates Downunder: Keys to successful doctoral study in Australia and New Zealand” by Carey Denholm and Terry Evans, Acer Press 2006

This is a brief overview of the evening, there were many more details covered than I have listed here, but all three presenters are very willing to answer questions and may be contacted :

Dr Ross Harvey Charles Sturt University
[email protected]

Dr Bonna Jones RMIT
[email protected]

Dr Peter Macauley Deakin University
[email protected]
(and is happy to provide his notes via Powerpoint)