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10 Essential Dissertation Blogs for Ph.D. Students

If you are anything like me, then having a few blogs and podcasts to follow is essential to every project – and dissertation blogs are no exception.

In this post, I’ll share ten of my favorite research blogs for dissertation students, including academic, writing, and humorous options. (Don’t worry – we’ll get to podcasts another day!)

Dissertation blogs are great, because you can get everything from instructional tips on research and writing to motivational daydreaming and validation for your frustrations. I think these ten blogs offer a good range of what you need to survive the dissertation research and writing process – but let me know what you think!

(And yes – the ReadWritePerfect Dissertation Advice blog also offers these things – but it’s nice to have options, right?)

The Thesis Whisperer

This blog offers ten years of humorous and supportive content from professor inger mewburn..

Director of Researcher Development at The Australian National University, Professor Mewburn writes The Thesis Whisperer with candor, humor, and more than a little bit of inside knowledge. her tips on writing, surviving the dissertation process, and staying motivated are user-friendly and filled with empathy.

Nick Hopwood

Associate professor at the university of technology, sydney, hopwood shares insight on research, academic work, writing, and more..

More formal and authoritative than the Thesis Whisperer, Nick Hopwood is a site for readers who prefer an all-business approach to academia. As well as the blogs, readers can find podcasts and instructional videos on the site.

Get a life, PhD

Although the last post was in 2021, this dissertation blog offers years of blogs on everything from how to find a life-work balance to general tips on academic writing..

Get A Life, PhD is all about finding the balance between letting your PhD fall to the wayside and letting your PhD consume you, mind, body, and soul. I especially love the practical, realistic tips on time management.

Research to Action

This collaborative site offers a synthesis of instructive blogging, online community, and academic debate, all focused on improving research strategies..

The Research to Action site is a pretty comprehensive one-stop-shop for researchers at all levels, from PhD candidate to seasoned researcher. The site itself is well-designed, as as well as instruction, readers can find reading lists, calls for submissions, and even job opportunities.

The Professor Is In

This dissertation blog offers guidance and resources for graduate students and academics from a range of contributors..

Slightly more commercial than some of the other blogs listed here, the key strength of The Professor is In lies in the range of contributors lending their voices and expertise to the content, from a productivity coach to a graduate director to an editor to several professors and assistant professors. Between them, they know everything there is to know about thriving in academia.

The Research Whisperer

This research blog is similar to the thesis whisperer, but more recent and more funding-focused..

The bloggers at The Research Whisperer address topics related to all aspects of academic research. While they “don’t just talk about funding,” there is a real emphasis in the content on the business side of research (such as getting grants and being a union member), as their tag line suggests: “Just like the Thesis Whisperer – but with more money.”

From PhD to Life

This dissertation blog covers topics that help phd students prepare for and transition into life after academia..

Even if you’re not quite ph(inishe)d yet, From PhD to Life will definitely give you something to look forward to – and tips to help you plan practically for it. I particularly like the light, conversational style – it’s a nice break from academia-speak.

Writing for Research

In this research blog, professor patrick dunleavy writes about academia, offering some higher-level insight into the processes and culture of higher education institutions..

Writing for Research  does offer some basic writing and research advice, but what really helps it stand out from other sites is the focus on how academia ticks. There are posts on everything from university organization (why exactly is an academic discipline called a “discipline”?) to open-access and fair reviewing practices – really interesting stuff, in other words.

Tress Academic

Aimed at beginners and dedicated to simplifying things and getting you through the job, this site provides various resources for researchers and phd students..

Not every dissertation student is interested in a lifetime devotes to academia – some just want to get on and get done. Tress Academic offers easy-to-digest advice posts broken down into manageable steps, as well as useful worksheets, checklists, and free training videos. Again, this one has a commercial feel, but it’s still got a wealth of useful material if you need to get the job done quickly.

Supervising PhDs

This is a community research blog from various professors and academics. topics cover doctoral supervision relationships and pedagogies..

Admittedly, a lot of the really useful stuff on Supervising PhDs is aimed at professors and supervisors. However, there’s nothing to say you can’t gift some of the useful checklists, guides, and articles to your supervisor the next time they’re being particularly frustrating…

Need More Help?

Dissertation blogs and forums not your thing? Instead of relying on online communities, get personable and personalized help with dissertation coaching services .

Related Articles

Ten great blogs for PhD students

• June 28, 2012
• evalantsoght_uw8lmy
• Uncategorized
• 37 Comments

Since I started reading blogs at 6 months into my PhD program, I’ve gained some valuable insights from my favorite blogs. An exhaustive list would only lure you into getting more clutter into your information stream – so here are my 10 favorites (in no particular order)

1. Happy Science Cheek-in-tongue blog on science, social media, and pharma-research. If the thought of seeing your make-up under a microscope makes you giggle, don’t hesitate and head to Happy Science.

2. Peoplegogy This blog reads like a magazine, with a wide range of topics that I enjoy reading very much. You particularly might like the “Doctoral Confessions” series.

3. The Dutch PhD Coach I was planning to drop the link to Arjenne’s “Louter Promoveren” blog in Dutch when I discovered there is now an English offspring too. Great content – these articles might as well come from a book with advice on the PhD process.

4. Only a model A website and blog by a fellow PhD student in Structural Engineering. Interesting posts on finite element modeling, workflow processes and academic teaching.

5. Dr Sustainable Only about a month old, this blog has managed to provide some great content and a lively forum with comments. I have high expectations of seeing more interesting content coming up here.

6. Get a life, PhD Combining a career in academia with a family, and still finding time for yourself? I enjoy reading this blog while wondering how my future self will relate to these issues.

7. Gradhacker Life- and studyhacking for graduate students – with contributions from a large authorship.

8. Matt Might’s blog While the computer science in there is all Greek to me, the articles on graduate school and productivity are very much worth reading.

9. PhD2Published With a wealth of wisdom on academic writing in its archives, this blog also provides a Weekly Wisdom sections on Everything You Wanted to Know in Academia.

10. Thesis Whisperer We don’t need to introduce this one, right?

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Thanks Eva!

Hi, nice list! some good additions to my reader. I'm fairly new to blogging as I'm a first year PhD student in child development/genetics and thought I would post on some of the things I learn along the way. It's probably not classed as one of the great blogs but feel free to check it out at: http://squirreledthoughts.wordpress.com/

Thanks for pointing me to your blog, Joanna!

Eva,Thanks for including my blog. I am humbled. I am always surprised that people actually read my blog, especially since my blog features such a \”buffet\” of content. Thanks again,Will

ooh thanks for the inclusion Eva!!

Apart from my own blog Next Scientist , which I think is awesome, I have compiled a list with great science blogs , some of which we share.

Thanks for sharing your links, Julio!

Thanks for these useful links:)

Also checkout sachristopher.wordpress.com

I love reading PhD blogs especially the first blog site hosted by a certain Happysci, Happy Science. And it's good to know that she just finished her PhD. Me? I'm just starting so it will still be a long way but I'll enjoy my time. http://www.collegepaper.org

Here is one on how to save money while doing a PhD: http://www.onefrugalscholar.blogspot.com

New, and I mean NEW to blogging–still figuring out blogger.com–that new. I'm also a new doctoral student–just started this month. I'd like so share my blog with others in the Education arena–I'm in education and don't want to bore anybody with the inside scoop on an education doctoral journey. If possible, post the reply, and I'll follow directions. Thanks.

Would you be interested in writing a guest post for PhD Talk on your doctoral journey?

Hope My Blog http://guruofmovie.blogspot.in Will Also Achieve This Milestone

Great post!!

Im intresting eve lansoght

Great post… I am fairly new to blogging as well, I began last month http://adamchehouri.blogspot.ca/ and find it amazing the impact a simple blog can have and the experience you gain from it.

I have developed a simulator in ns-2 for heterogeneous mobile and wireless networks that makes vertical handovers between wlan, wimax, umts according vertical handover decision algorithms. If some PhD student in the beginning phase is interested to research in this area this simulator is excellent for getting results and simulate different scenarios. Write me on [email protected] for any help.

Enjoyed this, thanks. Shameless plug – I have just started a blog on my recent transition from research to industry. Maybe I'll make your next top ten! http://drtipper.blogspot.co.uk/

This comment has been removed by the author.

I would like to introduce to you a new place where you can have full access to ways to increase the quality of your scientific artwork. keepcalmandpublishpapers.com keepcalmandpublishpapers.com is a new site that contains tutorials, guidelines and more. Whether you are a researcher, a student or just a science enthusiast, you may find resources for yourself. Please have a look and leave us any feedback on the new site at keepcalmandpublishpapers.com – and I hope you enjoy it.

Thanks for the list of blogs, Im half way through them so far so ive bookmarked this page A+

Good luck with the second half of your PhD!

I found your post when looking for Ph.D blogs similar to mine – I find it's really helpful to see what other Ph.D candidates are up to, to keep me motivated and inspire me to write more. Writing about my research, and life in general, actually pushes me to get more done. I'm just coming to the end of my first year, and hoping to continue blogging throughout my Ph.D journey.

Thanks for sharing this PhD. blog list. Some of them look really interesting.

Great List Eva, Thanks for sharing. I have also started blogging about career options after PhD on http://www.gradcompass.com . would be great to hear your views.

The documents are highly efficient and convenient to read. Reviews are one types of experience in custom essay writing . It describes and highlights the writer's piece of writing. In this reviews are expressing the value of something from the writer.

Great gift for PhD students! https://www.etsy.com/listing/491992296/seize-the-data-academic-mug-phd-gift-11?ref=shop_home_active_4

Hi everybody, I'm also a new doctoral student in technical field-just started this month. and I need some advices to start my research

Hi Azamat, welcome to reading my blog! Hope you find interesting information here.

Thanks for providing this helpful article.

Great list! This site might be helpful too for PhD students. Expontum ( https://www.expontum.com ) – Helps researchers quickly find knowledge gaps and identify what research projects have been completed before. Thanks!

Fantastic list of blogs, Each of these blogs offers unique perspectives and practical advice that can truly enhance the PhD journey. Keep up the great work in supporting PhD students!”

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