Celebrating my first PhD Milestone!
It has been a year since I started my PhD. This week I am celebrating submitting my first (of three) PhD Milestones – my Early Candidature Milestone Report (ECMR) – Hooray!
Those of you who are regular readers of this blog will know that there have been a few ups and downs over the last year. This is totally expected in any PhD process and there will be many more to come!
My PhD research investigates NGOs that donate bicycles to rural African girls for greater access to education. Part of the challenge over the last 12 months has been the process of narrowing down and organising my research scope, problem and approach.
To keep up motivation, interest and momentum, required submission dates provide clear structure and help to have a goal (or a few) to work towards.
So to help keep things in perspective and to stay positive while undertaking my PhD, I’m making sure that I take time to adequately recognise and mark objectives achieved and progress made thus far – like today!
Early Candidature Milestone Report – PhD ECMR Submitted
The purpose of Griffith University ECMRs is to:
- assess whether the candidate has a viable research project and is appropriate for the degree in which the candidate is enrolled.
- identify whether any further education and training is required to ensure timely completion.
- identify any resources needed by the candidate to undertake the research.
- Identify any problems/difficulties that have caused or are likely to cause an impediment to progress.
For my University, there are three major PhD milestones requirements.
- PhD Commencement
- Early Candidature Milestone (12 months part-time)
- Confirmation (18 months part-time – mine is in August, 2017)
- Mid-Candidature Milestone (24 months part-time)
- PhD Submission
What’s in the EMCR?
The outline ECMR below is for a Masters program – the PhD is the same structure and content, but is more developed – but this gives the general ECMR sections required:
Additional celebration – new Principal Supervisor confirmed!
In December, my original Principal Supervisor retired.
This created a bit of a problem for me. It was just before the Christmas break and the Uni was closed for holidays and New Year. Feeling a little nervous about my upcoming ECMR submission, I had to speed dated some academics when Uni reopened to find a new supervisor.
While I was doing this, one of the Professors took me on as my ‘temporary supervisor’ just until I submitted my ECMR. This Prof. was recommended by others for me to approach to be my Principal Supervisor, so having the ‘temporary’ time to work together was a great way to test the waters.
A couple of weeks ago, I told the Prof. that I wanted our current situation to continue and be formalised and that I wanted her to be my Principal Supervisor for the duration of my candidature.
The project scope and research questions are far more refined since we started working together since January. I like the way the Prof. operates with clear and timely communication, actionable advice and logical development.
To my delight, this week Prof agreed to take me on – and will be my Principal Supervisor! Shazam!
