phd thesis quotes

50 Inspirational Quotes For PhD Students: Nurturing Brilliance on Academic Journey

Embark on an inspiring journey of academic pursuit with “50 Inspirational Quotes For PhD Students.” This remarkable compilation of unique and original quotes is a source of motivation, resilience, and wisdom for those undertaking the rigorous path of doctoral studies. Let these powerful words of encouragement uplift your spirits, ignite your passion for research, and remind you of the remarkable impact your work can have on the world.

50 Inspirational Quotes For PhD Students

1. “Embrace the challenges of your PhD journey, for they will shape you into a resilient and brilliant scholar.”

2. “In the realm of knowledge, your PhD is the key to unlocking doors of discovery and leaving a lasting legacy.”

3. “Rise above self-doubt and believe in your ability to make a significant contribution to your field through your PhD research.”

4. “Every setback is an opportunity to learn and grow. Keep pushing forward, and success will be your reward.”

5. “The pursuit of knowledge is a noble endeavor, and your PhD is a testament to your dedication and passion.”

6. “Remember, the greatest discoveries often emerge from the moments when you dare to question the status quo.”

7. “Your PhD thesis is not just a document; it is a reflection of your ability to think critically and innovate.”

8. “The path to a PhD may be long and winding, but the destination will be worth every step.”

9. “Stay curious, for curiosity fuels the fires of discovery and fuels the drive to explore uncharted territories.”

10. “When the going gets tough, remember why you started. Your passion will guide you through the darkest of times.”

11. “In the realm of academia, failure is not the end but a stepping stone towards greater success.”

12. “Embrace collaboration and seek the wisdom of fellow scholars, for the collective mind is a force to be reckoned with.”

13. “The impact of your research will transcend the walls of academia, shaping the world for generations to come.”

14. “Celebrate the small victories along your PhD journey, for they are the building blocks of your ultimate triumph.”

15. “Find joy in the pursuit of knowledge, for it is in the process that you truly discover the beauty of learning.”

16. “Remember that every question holds the potential to unravel mysteries and pave the way for groundbreaking discoveries.”

17. “Perseverance is the key to conquering any obstacle on your path to obtaining your PhD.”

18. “Be open to new ideas and perspectives, for it is through diversity that innovation truly thrives.”

19. “Your PhD is not just an academic achievement; it is a testament to your resilience, dedication, and unwavering spirit.”

20. “Embrace failure as a teacher, for it provides invaluable lessons that will propel you closer to success.”

21. “Dare to challenge existing paradigms and forge your own path of discovery in your PhD research.”

22. “Your unique perspective and insights have the power to reshape the world. Believe in your ability to make a difference.”

23. “Embrace the beauty of the unknown, for it is within those uncharted territories that breakthroughs await.”

24. “Through your PhD journey, you are not just a student but a pioneer of knowledge, carving your own intellectual legacy.”

25. “Never forget the transformative power of your PhD. You have the capacity to change lives and make the world a better place.”

26. “As a PhD student, you possess the ability to turn questions into discoveries and uncertainties into knowledge.”

27. “Seek inspiration from the great minds that came before you, but let your own unique voice shine through in your research.”

28. “Remember, the value of your PhD lies not only in the destination but also in the transformative journey you undertake.”

29. “Embrace the interdisciplinary nature of academia, for it is at the intersections that groundbreaking ideas are born.”

30. “Your passion for learning and dedication to your field will guide you through the challenges and propel you towards success.”

31. “A PhD is not just about acquiring expertise; it’s about pushing the boundaries of human understanding.”

32. “In the face of adversity, let perseverance be your fuel and determination be your guiding light.”

33. “Embrace the moments of uncertainty, for it is within those gaps that profound discoveries and insights emerge.”

34. “Remember that failure is not a reflection of your worth but an opportunity to learn, adapt, and grow.”

35. “Your PhD is an opportunity to contribute to the collective wisdom of humanity and leave an indelible mark.”

36. “Never underestimate the power of collaboration and the magic that unfolds when minds come together.”

37. “Celebrate the small victories, for they are stepping stones towards the greater triumphs awaiting you.”

38. “As a PhD student, your thirst for knowledge is a beacon that will guide you towards profound revelations.”

39. “In the pursuit of your PhD, don’t be afraid to challenge convention and explore unconventional paths.”

40. “Every experiment, every failure, and every success brings you one step closer to becoming a true master of your field.”

41. “Let passion be the driving force behind your research, igniting a fire that fuels your intellectual journey.”

42. “Amidst the rigors of academia, remember to nourish your mind, body, and soul. Self-care is essential for success.”

43. “Your PhD journey is a testament to your courage, resilience, and unwavering commitment to the pursuit of knowledge.”

44. “Keep your eyes open to the beauty of the world, for inspiration can often be found in the most unexpected places.”

45. “Your unique perspective and original ideas have the power to reshape paradigms and challenge the status quo.”

46. “Approach each research question with an open mind, for the true essence of learning lies in embracing diverse viewpoints.”

47. “Believe in the transformative potential of your PhD, as it empowers you to make a difference in the lives of others.”

48. “Let curiosity be your guiding compass, leading you to uncharted territories where groundbreaking discoveries await.”

49. “In your pursuit of knowledge, remember that perseverance, resilience, and adaptability are your most valuable companions.”

50. “Your PhD is not the end but the beginning of a lifelong journey dedicated to unraveling the mysteries of your chosen field.”

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Sharing PhD experiences across the University of Warwick and beyond

Motivational Quotes for the PhD Journey

The PhD journey is a long one where it’s easy and normal to feel unmotivated for certain stretches of time. We all need a little inspiration to perk us up during those days. Jenny Mak offers you four handy motivational quotes for when the going gets tough during your PhD…

“Success requires Action”

We all procrastinate. It’s something that is easy to do especially at the beginning of your PhD when it feels like you have a lot of time. But to be successful—by this I mean successfully finishing and submitting your thesis—it’s not enough to say that you want a PhD, you also have to do the work. Doing the work means sitting down at your desk, butt firmly stuck to chair, and just doing it. It helps to set yourself concrete goals like writing 500 words a day, and trying your best to meet that target every day.

“Progress, not Perfection”

Perfectionism often gets confused with having high standards. For me, this has meant that I’d revised a chapter countless times before sending it to my supervisors for feedback because I felt that it just wasn’t right. But here’s the problem: the “right” version doesn’t exist. It’s an illusion—painfully shattered when you get back said chapter with lots of critical comments from your supervisor. Conversely, something that you think is “average” might actually be good enough for your supervisor. It’s good to have high standards, but don’t kill yourself over them. “Good enough” tends to be good enough. Check out Petra Kolber’s TED talk titled “The Perfection Detox” for some sharp insights into the perils of perfectionism.

“Eat the Elephant one bite at a time”

I don’t remember where I heard this quote. But it came handy in the late stages of my PhD when I felt tired and frustrated that no matter how much and how fast I was writing and revising, there still seemed to be no end in sight. Finishing a thesis can feel like having a huge elephant in front of you that you’re supposed to eat in its entirety. Of course, if you mainly focus on how massive this elephant is and when you can finish eating it up, you will feel overwhelmed. But if you take the elephant bite by bite, and not think about how much of it is left, one day the elephant will be all gone. The same goes for your thesis: break it down to small actionable tasks and do one task after another, until it is done and ready for submission.

“Enjoy Climbing the Mountain”

Doing a PhD is extremely challenging work. While we do it for the intellectual stimulation, sometimes we might wonder: why do we put ourselves through such difficulty? If you need a reminder of why you have chosen to do this, here is a quote by Tadashi Yanai , the founder of Uniqlo, which I have found helpful: “I’m never really satisfied with anything because the world is ever-changing. If you keep climbing up, then you see another, higher mountain. You climb up that peak and see another. I will pass away eventually because that is life. But I am climbing mountains because I enjoy the process of climbing a mountain.”

What challenges have you faced in your PhD so far? What motivational quotes did you find helpful when you had to face these challenges? Tweet us at  @ResearchEx , email us at [email protected], or leave a comment below.

Jenny Mak is a PhD researcher in the English and Comparative Literary Studies department at the University of Warwick. Her research looks at embodied experiences of globalisation in contemporary world literature. She has a background in creative writing, journalism, publishing, and sports training.

Image:  dandelion-dewdrop-flower-close-3094349  /  cocoparisienne /  CC0 1.0

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2 thoughts on “ motivational quotes for the phd journey ”.

Whenever I feel like want to give up on my PhD, I always remember one beautiful quotes from Alex Wassabi that he mentioned in one of his vlog. His quote sounds like this: ” We know what will happen if we give up, but we don’t know what will happen if we don’t”.

Excellent, motivational!

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PhD Quotes: Motivational Quotes For The PhD Students Needing It

PhD is tough, and many that graduated from one can tell you the difficulties and challenges. These graduates also may have many nuggets of wisdom to share with those that are in the middle of the journey.

In this post, we share a couple of quotes about PhD studies. Some are funny, while some are pure motivational gem to push you through the tough times. 

Funny PhD Quotes

Embarking on a PhD journey is akin to navigating a labyrinth where humor becomes a necessary compass.

Amidst the rigorous demands of academia, finding a moment to laugh can be as rejuvenating as a good night’s sleep.

If you’re a:

• PhD student,
• doctoral candidate, or even
• a seasoned academic

These funny PhD quotes might just be the motivational spark you need during those seemingly endless stretches of grinding work.

Imagine sitting down, coffee in hand, ready to tackle that chapter you’ve revised countless times. You tell yourself, “It’s easy and normal to feel unmotivated,” but deep down, you know the version of “easy” in front of you is an illusion—painfully shattered by the academic rigor of a PhD.

This brings us to our first humorous gem:

It’s a funny take on the daily grind where procrastination and existential crises often walk hand in hand.

Moving on, who hasn’t faced the moment when, after pouring your heart and soul into a piece of work, feedback makes you feel like it just wasn’t right? Here’s a saying that encapsulates that feeling with a twist of humor:

This quote pokes fun at the relentless pursuit of perfection that often characterizes the doctoral journey, reminding us that sometimes, ‘good enough’ really is just that.

Lastly, the world of PhDs is fraught with the high stakes of research, where every finding could potentially be a research of note or lead nowhere useful.

This reality is humorously captured in the quote: 

It’s a light-hearted nod to the unpredictable nature of doctoral research, where despite the best efforts, the path to groundbreaking discoveries can often feel like chasing a mirage.

These funny quotes serve as small, actionable tasks of intellectual stimulation, reminding PhD students and graduates alike that the journey, though lonely and rewarding, doesn’t have to be devoid of laughter.

So the next time you feel overwhelmed, remember these sayings, chuckle, and keep climbing that higher mountain of academia.

Motivational Quotes For The PhD Student Struggling

Navigating the PhD journey can feel like climbing a mountain with no peak in sight. You’re not alone in this.

Every PhD student experiences moments where the sheer volume of work feels overwhelming, akin to having a huge elephant in front of you that you’re supposed to eat in its entirety.

In these moments, a dose of motivation can make all the difference. Here are three motivational quotes tailored for you, the PhD student, to reignite that spark when the going gets tough.

Remember, it’s easy and normal to feel unmotivated for certain stretches of time. This is part of the doctoral journey. The first quote to keep close to your heart is:

This saying underscores the importance of celebrating small victories and progress, no matter how insignificant they may seem.

When you’ve revised a chapter countless times and still feel it’s not right, it’s easy to get disheartened. This is where our second quote comes in:

This motivational nugget is a reminder that your efforts are closer to fruition than you think, even when doubt creeps in.

Lastly, facing the mammoth task of a dissertation, you might feel like procrastination is your only companion. Here’s a quote to help shift that perspective:

This speaks to the strategy of tackling your workload piece by piece, making the insurmountable seem manageable.

If You Are Pushing Through Your Dissertation

Every PhD student knows the unique blend of exhilaration and exhaustion that accompanies the pivotal phase of doctoral studies – the dissertation writing.

It’s a marathon, not a sprint, and sometimes, a few words of wisdom are all you need to refuel your motivational reserves. Here are three carefully chosen motivational quotes to help you, the doctoral candidate, push through your dissertation hurdles.

First, embrace the complexity of your journey with this empowering saying:

This quote reminds you that no matter how massive the task seems, breaking it down into smaller, manageable parts makes it entirely possible to ‘finish eating’ the elephant, piece by piece.

Then, when you find yourself revising a chapter for the umpteenth time and feeling like it’s still not “right,” hold onto this nugget of wisdom:

This motivational quote underscores the importance of recognizing your efforts and understanding that perfection is an illusion, and may not worth the pursuit at the cost of your well-being.

Lastly, when the weight of your dissertation feels overwhelming, and you feel like procrastinating, consider this:

This quote is a powerful reminder that the path to obtaining your doctorate is indeed long and filled with challenges, but every step you take brings you closer to the pinnacle of academic achievement—your PhD graduation.

Phd Quotes For Doctoral Students

These quotes are more than words; they are reminders of your strength and capability. Keep them in mind as you navigate the challenging yet rewarding path to your doctorate.

Every PhD student’s journey is unique, but the essence of persistence and resilience is universal. Keep pushing!

Dr Andrew Stapleton has a Masters and PhD in Chemistry from the UK and Australia. He has many years of research experience and has worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow and Associate at a number of Universities. Although having secured funding for his own research, he left academia to help others with his YouTube channel all about the inner workings of academia and how to make it work for you.

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Market Research

17 research quotes to inspire and amuse you

Being a researcher requires dedication, hard work and more than a little inspiration. Here’s something to boost the last item on that list.

We’ve sourced some of the most interesting and thought-provoking research quotes we can find. We hope they’ll leave you feeling inspired and motivated to start – or complete – your best ever research project.

As these quotes show, research is a common thread running through all kinds of professions and pursuits, from Ancient Rome right up to the present day. If you practice research, you’re part of a long list of people throughout history, all dedicated to finding new knowledge and ideas that ultimately make the world a better place.

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1. “No research without action, no action without research”

- Kurt Lewin

Lewin (1890-1947) was a German-American social psychologist. He’s known for his theory that human behavior is a function of our psychological environment.

2. “Research is seeing what everybody else has seen and thinking what nobody else has thought.”

- Albert Szent-Györgyi 

Szent-Györgyi (1893-1986)  was a Hungarian pharmacologist known for his work on vitamins and oxidation. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1937.

3. "Bad news sells papers. It also sells market research."

- Byron Sharp 

Sharp is Professor of Marketing Science and Director of the Ehrenberg-Bass Institute, the world’s largest centre for research into marketing.

4. "In fact, the world needs more nerds."

- Ben Bernanke

Bernanke is an American economist and former chair of the board of governors at the United Stares Federal Reserve.

5. "Research is what I'm doing when I don't know what I'm doing."

- Wernher von Braun

Von Braun (1912-1977) was a German-American physicist and rocket engineer whose team launched the first US satellite into space.

6. "Research is formalized curiosity. It is poking and prying with a purpose."

- Zora Neale Hurston

Hurston (1891-1960) was an American anthropologist and writer known for her research and writing on slavery, race, folklore and the African-American experience.

7. "Research is creating new knowledge."

- Neil Armstrong

Armstrong (1930-2012) was an American astronaut famed for being the first man to walk on the Moon.

8. "I believe in innovation and that the way you get innovation is you fund research and you learn the basic facts."

- Bill Gates

Gates needs little introduction – he’s an entrepreneur, philanthropist and the founder of Microsoft.

9. “The best research you can do is talk to people”

- Terry Pratchett

Pratchett is an award-winning British science fiction and fantasy author. He was knighted in 2009. He is known for The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and the Discworld series.

10. “Research means that you don’t know, but are willing to find out”

- Charles F. Kettering

Kettering (1876-1958) was an American engineer, known for inventing the electric starter used in combustion engines, as well as other automobile technologies.

11. “Nothing has such power to broaden the mind as the ability to investigate systematically and truly all that comes under thy observation in life.”

- Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius (121-180) was a Roman Emperor and Stoic philosopher.

12. “It is a good thing for a research scientist to discard a pet hypothesis every day before breakfast.“

- Konrad Lorenz

Lorenz (1903-1989) was an Austrian biologist known for his game-changing research on animal behavior. He was jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1973.

13. “Research is something that everyone can do, and everyone ought to do. It is simply collecting information and thinking systematically about it.”

- Raewyn Connell

Connell is an Australian sociologist. She is a former professor of at the University of Sydney and is known for her work on gender and transgender studies.

14. “As for the future, your task is not to foresee it, but to enable it.”

- Antoine de Saint Exupery

De Saint Exupery (1900-1944) was a French aviator, author and poet, best known for his story The Little Prince, one of the best-selling books of all time.

15. “It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data.”

- Arthur Conan Doyle (writing as Sherlock Holmes)

Conan Doyle (1859-1930) was a British crime writer and creator of the legendary Sherlock Holmes, master of deduction.

16. “If we knew what we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?”

- Albert Einstein

Maybe the most famous scientist of all time, Albert Einstein (1879-1955) was a German physicist who came up with the theory of relativity. However, it was his description of the photoelectric effect, the interplay between light and electrically charged atoms, that won him the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1921.

17. “The power of statistics and the clean lines of quantitative research appealed to me, but I fell in love with the richness and depth of qualitative research.”

- Brené Brown

Brown is a researcher and storyteller studying courage, shame, empathy and vulnerability. She is a best-selling author and inspirational speaker. She is a research professor at the University of Houston.

Sarah Fisher

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PhD Quotes: Inspirational Quotes for Those Pursuing a PhD

Completing a PhD is challenging, and those who have graduated can offer valuable insights into the difficulties and rewards of the journey.

Motivational Quotes for PhD Students Facing Challenges

Navigating the PhD journey can often feel like scaling an endless mountain. It’s a common struggle among students.

“Every revision brings you closer to your goal, even if it doesn’t feel like it.”

In the world of academia, ‘good enough’ is often just around the corner from ‘I felt that it just wasn’t right.’

Funny PhD Quotes

Embarking on a PhD journey is akin to navigating a labyrinth where humor becomes a vital guide. Amidst the rigorous academic demands, moments of laughter can be as revitalizing as a good night’s rest.

“In PhD research, every breakthrough is like finding a needle in a haystack, except the haystack is made of needles.”

Getting a PhD is a journey where ‘good enough’ is an elusive beast, and ‘perfect’ might actually be good enough.

Getting Through Your Dissertation

It’s a long-term effort, not a quick sprint, and sometimes, a few words of encouragement can replenish your motivation. Here are three carefully selected motivational quotes to help you, the doctoral candidate, overcome the challenges of your dissertation.

The pursuit of a PhD is the art of constant refinement. What you think is average might actually be good enough. It’s about progress, not perfection.

Next, when you find yourself revising a chapter repeatedly and feeling like it’s still not perfect, hold onto this piece of wisdom:

This quote serves as a powerful reminder that obtaining your PhD involves a long and challenging journey, but each step forward brings you closer to the ultimate academic achievement—graduation.

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PhD Motivation Quotes

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Welcome to our comprehensive collection of the best motivation quotes specifically curated for PhD and research students. Pursuing a PhD or engaging in extensive research can be a challenging and demanding journey. It requires dedication, perseverance, and a constant source of inspiration to stay motivated throughout the process. In this article, we have compiled a selection of powerful quotes that will ignite your passion, uplift your spirits, and propel you towards achieving your goals. Let these words of wisdom from renowned individuals across various fields encourage you on your academic path.

As a PhD or research student, you are no stranger to the obstacles and hurdles that come your way. The pursuit of knowledge and the quest for groundbreaking discoveries demand relentless effort and unwavering commitment. It is during these times of struggle that motivation plays a crucial role in keeping you focused and determined.

With our carefully curated collection of motivation quotes, we aim to provide you with a source of inspiration that resonates with your academic journey. These quotes have been handpicked to capture the essence of perseverance, passion, and the indomitable spirit required to thrive in the realm of academia.

These quotes encapsulate the resilience and determination needed to overcome challenges and make meaningful contributions to your field of study. They serve as reminders that setbacks are temporary and that every obstacle presents an opportunity for growth and learning.

By incorporating these motivation quotes into your daily routine, whether through reading, journaling, or visualization, you can cultivate a positive mindset and harness the strength to navigate the complexities of academia. Let these powerful words uplift your spirits, ignite your passion, and remind you of the immense value your research holds.

Remember, pursuing a PhD or engaging in extensive research is a remarkable endeavor. It requires unwavering dedication, perseverance, and a deep-rooted passion for knowledge. Take solace in the fact that you are part of a community of brilliant minds who have paved the way for groundbreaking discoveries and advancements. Embrace the challenges, celebrate your achievements, and let these motivation quotes fuel your journey towards academic excellence.

Table of Contents

Phd motivational quotes for embracing challenges:.

“Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.” Joshua J. Marine

“The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it.” Molière

“In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity.” Albert Einstein

“Every problem is a gift—without problems, we would not grow.” Tony Robbins

“Don’t be pushed around by the fears in your mind. Be led by the dreams in your heart.” Roy T. Bennett

“The only way to reach the impossible is to believe it is possible.” Charles Kingsleigh

“It’s not the load that breaks you down, it’s the way you carry it.” Lou Holtz

“Difficulties in life are intended to make us better, not bitter.” Dan Reeves

“The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.” Franklin D. Roosevelt

“You are never given a wish without also being given the power to make it come true.” Richard Bach

PhD Motivational Quotes for Persistence and Resilience:

“The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will.” Vince Lombardi

“Fall seven times, stand up eight.” Japanese Proverb

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” Winston Churchill

“The harder the conflict, the greater the triumph.” George Washington

“Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.” Winston Churchill

“Persistence is the twin sister of excellence. One is a matter of quality; the other, a matter of time.” Marabel Morgan

“You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it.” Margaret Thatcher

“Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after the other.” Walter Elliot

“It does not matter how slowly you go, as long as you do not stop.” Confucius

“Character consists of what you do on the third and fourth tries.” James A. Michener

PhD Motivational Quotes for Finding Inspiration:

“The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” Steve Jobs

“Your time is limited, don’t waste it living someone else’s life.” Steve Jobs

“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” Theodore Roosevelt

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” Eleanor Roosevelt

“Don’t watch the clock; do what it does. Keep going.” Sam Levenson

“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.” Mark Twain

“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” Albert Schweitzer

“Success is not just about making money. It’s about making a difference.” Unknown

“Believe in yourself and all that you are. Know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle.” Christian D. Larson

PhD Motivational Quotes for Overcoming Obstacles:

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill “Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” – Theodore Roosevelt “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” – Steve Jobs “Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.” – Henry Ford “Difficulties in life are intended to make us better, not bitter.” – Dan Reeves “Every problem is a gift—without problems, we would not grow.” – Tony Robbins “The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt “Success is not the absence of obstacles; it’s the presence of perseverance.” – Unknown “The harder the conflict, the greater the triumph.” – George Washington “In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity.” – Albert Einstein

PhD Motivational Quotes for Unleashing Creativity:

“Creativity takes courage.” – Henri Matisse “Every artist was first an amateur.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” – Albert Einstein “To be creative means to be in love with life.” – Osho “Creativity is intelligence having fun.” – Albert Einstein “You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” – Maya Angelou “Don’t think outside the box. Think like there is no box.” – Unknown “The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul.” – Dieter F. Uchtdorf “Creative thinking inspires ideas. Ideas inspire change.” – Barbara Januszkiewicz “The creative adult is the child who survived.” – Ursula K. Le Guin

PhD Motivational Quotes for Embracing Learning:

“The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you.” – B.B. King “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” – Malcolm X “Learning never exhausts the mind.” – Leonardo da Vinci “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” – William Butler Yeats “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” – Dr. Seuss “The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled.” – Plutarch “Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow.” – Anthony J. D’Angelo “Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere.” – Chinese Proverb “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” – Mahatma Gandhi “The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.” – Michel Legrand

PhD Motivational Quotes for Embracing Failure:

“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” – Thomas Edison “Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor.” – Truman Capote “Success is not built on success. It’s built on failure. It’s built on frustration. Sometimes it’s built on catastrophe.” – Sumner Redstone “Mistakes are proof that you are trying.” – Unknown “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” – Nelson Mandela “Failure is not the opposite of success; it’s a stepping stone to success.” – Arianna Huffington “The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing.” – Henry Ford “Don’t be afraid to fail. Be afraid not to try.” – Michael Jordan “Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.” – Henry Ford “Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.” – Winston Churchill

PhD Motivational Quotes for Pursuing Passion:

“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.” – Steve Jobs “Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you.” – Oprah Winfrey “Follow your passion; it will lead you to your purpose.” – Oprah Winfrey “Passion is the genesis of genius.” – Tony Robbins “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” – Steve Jobs “Passion will move men beyond themselves, beyond their shortcomings, beyond their failures.” – Joseph Campbell “Passion is the driving force behind all successful individuals.” – Unknown “Find your passion and make it happen.” – Unknown “Passion is the key that opens the door to unlimited possibilities.” – Unknown “The more I want to get something done, the less I call it work.” – Richard Bach

PhD Motivational Quotes for Fostering Innovation:

“Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.” – Steve Jobs “The world is changed by your example, not your opinion.” – Paulo Coelho “If you want something new, you have to stop doing something old.” – Peter F. Drucker “Innovation is the ability to see change as an opportunity, not a threat.” – Steve Jobs “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” – Peter Drucker “Innovation is taking two things that already exist and putting them together in a new way.” – Tom Freston “The biggest risk is not taking any risk. In a world that is changing quickly, the only strategy that is guaranteed to fail is not taking risks.” – Mark Zuckerberg “Innovation is the specific instrument of entrepreneurship. The act that endows resources with a new capacity to create wealth.” – Peter F. Drucker “Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.” – Steve Jobs “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.” – Henry Ford

PhD Motivational Quotes for Celebrating Progress:

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” – Lao Tzu “Celebrate every small step forward, no matter how small.” – Unknown “Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” – Albert Schweitzer “The best way to predict your future is to create it.” – Abraham Lincoln “Celebrate your victories. Even the small ones. And don’t let the setbacks discourage you. Life is too short to dwell on failures.” – Unknown “Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Take the moment and make it perfect.” – Unknown “The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt “The secret to success is to know that success is a journey, not a destination.” – Unknown “Small progress is still progress. Celebrate it.” – Unknown “Celebrate the milestones, no matter how small. They are stepping stones to success.” – Unknown

In conclusion, our comprehensive collection of the best motivation quotes for PhD and research students is here to inspire and uplift you. As you embark on your academic path, may these words of wisdom from renowned individuals across various fields be a guiding light, reminding you of your potential, resilience, and the incredible impact your research can have on the world.

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Motivational Quotes for the PhD Life

Motivational Quotes are not just sayings, it moulds people each and every day to keep track of themselves in a positive way. Being or becoming a successful person in grade school is not an overnight process. A great career, purpose, wealth, and happiness is the end product of facing continues struggle, rejections, and failures in the PhD life. Yes, PhD is not a degree for many of the scholars it almost a life.

PhD is not like other types of graduation, It requires extreme self-motivation, focus, enthusiasm towards the research work and peacefulness. To be successful in a PhD life, you have to use each day as an opportunity to improve, to be better, to get a little bit closer to your goals.

In this article, ilovephd provides a powerfull Motivational Quotes to create confidence, keep your passion on the track, achieve your goals, and have a successful PhD Life .

Check this Motivational quotes for researchers, phd students, doctoral students, biotechnology,and graduate students.

• Motivational Quotes

The only way to do great work is to love what you do!

Your limitation – It’s only your imagination

Before anything else, preparation is the key to success!

Be mature enough to accept failures and rejections!

Be believing, Be happy, Don’t get discouraged. Things will work out.

The key to being happy is knowing you have the power to choose what to accept and what to let go!

Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it’s happened!

A powerful attitude awakens inner strength, energy, motivation, and initiative! -Motivational Quotes

One day i will say i did it!

Trust the process. your time is coming, just do the work and the results will handle themselves!

Success is measured by your discipline and inner peace!

A fake teacher doesn’t do what they teach. A real teacher teach what they do!

To raise new questions, new possibilities, to regard old problems from a new angle, requires creative imagination and marks real advance in science.

I am not a product of my circumstances. I am a product of my decisions.

Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known.

Push yourself, because no one else is going to do it for you!

Great things happen to those who don’t stop believing, trying, learning, and being grateful!

Give the world a reason to remember your name!

All i can control is myself and just keep having a positive attitude!

Anyone who has never made a mistake, has never tried anything new!

The most complicated skill is to be simple!

If you carry joy in your heart, you can heal any moment!

If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough!

Solve the problem, or leave the problem. Do not live with the problem.

Who else got a PhD in imagining themselves in a situation that will never happen?

Do more things that make you forget to check your phone. -Motivational Quotes

The common facts of today are the products of yesterday’s research!

The only thing that separates two people are excuses.

What you think, you become. What you feel , you attract. What you imagine, you create.

The most beautiful thing you can wear is confidence!

If you want to find the secrets of the universe, think in terms of energy, frequency, and vibration!

Work like you don’t need the money, love like you’ve never been hurt and dance like no one is watching.

It’s important to learn and not to repeat the same!

You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending!

At the end of the day, you are solely responsible for your success and your failure!

Procrastination is like a credit card. It’s a lot fun until you get the bill!

The true happiness is not in the destination, It lies in the journey!

Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated

It’s never too late for a new beginning in your life!

If reading is difficult. Read more!

I alone cannot change the world, but i can cast a stone across the water to create many ripples!

Some people dream of success while others wake up and work!

Don’t stop when you’re tired, stop when you’re done!

Start each day with a positive thought and a grateful heart! -Motivational Quotes

It’s better to focus on your subject rather than worrying about the background!

Success is simple. Do what’s right, the right way, at the right time.

Live each day as if your life had jous begun!

Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached!

A smile is an inexpensive way to change your looks!

Collect moments! not things!

I changed my thinking. It changed my life!

If you want to be strong learn to fight alone!

Research is an organized method for keeping you reasonably dissatisfied with what you have.

Procarstination is the thief of dreams!

Words can inspire, thoughts can provoke, but only action truly brings you closer to your dreams!

Being alone has a power only few can handle!

Because of your smile, you make life more beautiful!

Do what is right! not what is easy!

Believe you can and you’re halfway there!

If you want to shine like a sun, first burn like a sun!

Where focus goes! energy flows!

One day the pain will make sense to your!

Motivational Quotes for the PhD Life | iLovePhD

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• Artificial intelligence

ANU College of Science

The unexpected poetry of phd acknowledgements.

Not many people will read your PhD thesis, but if you completed your doctoral research at the Australian National University College of Science, then Tabitha Carvan has probably read one small part of it.

What she found is a kind of poetry in the science.

This multimedia essay was produced by the ANU College of Science Communications Team:

• Written by Tabitha Carvan
• Editorial assistance: Olivia Congdon
• Illustrations and design: Amanda Cox
• Multimedia: Nic Vevers
• Digital production: Ilario Priori

Embarking on a PhD is a treacherous task for even the most bold and brave of this world, and yet here I sit, writing my way through the final hoops of this life-changing experience.

James Beattie

The statistics of magnetised interstellar turbulence (2024)

For a reason I can no longer remember, I started picking science theses at random from the Australian National University library catalogue and reading only the acknowledgements.

The acknowledgements are my favourite part of all my thesis.

Growth and characterisation of GaAs/AlGaAs core-shell nanowires for optoelectronic device applications (2016)

This part of the thesis is the one that I was most looking forward to write.

Jorin Diemer

A mathematical model of ion homeostasis in the malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum (2022)

Once I started, it was very hard to stop.

Sometimes I found myself reading them at home, on my own time, always thinking, 'Just one more.'

If you, the reader, are a PhD candidate, you should know that not everyone’s doctoral experience is the same, but I found mine quite challenging.

An analytic approach to the structure and composition of general learning problems (2021)

I don’t think it’s overstating events to say that at the end of my PhD I find myself a rather different person than when I began (and not only because of the ravages of time).

Elizabeth Krebs

Breeding biology and parental care of the crimson rosella (1999)

All the acknowledgements followed the same basic structure; they're formulaic. But as with many formulaic things, there's a story behind each one.

I read hundreds and hundreds of acknowledgements.

The production of a dissertation is a formidable, arduous and demoralising task.

Mahyar Bokaeeyan

Analytical and approximate methods in rogue wave theory (2020)

I came to see that the acknowledgements of a PhD thesis are their own kind of thing.

The rest of the thesis contains careful, reasoned findings and figures, but on this one page, the author-scientist can release all the pent-up emotion they couldn’t express elsewhere.

They’re like an explosion in a lab.

When looking at the acknowledgements of others, I have found it is common practice for scholars to reserve their purplest prose and most overblown sentiment for their acknowledgements. If I had the skills, I would do so myself.

Martin Worthy

A history of fire and sediment transport in the Cotter River catchment, southeastern Australia (2013)

I have to laugh as I recall certain fatigue-driven moments of internal melodrama, usually after long and unbroken spells of intense laboratory work, wondering how on earth I was going to singlehandedly manage this project to completion.

Jenna Roberts

A multi-disciplinary assessment of endocrine disrupting chemicals, pharmaceuticals and personal care products in Australia's largest inland sewage treatment plant and the Molonglo/Murrumbidgee effluent-receiving environment (2015)

This thesis is of you, and it belongs to you, as do I.

Superfluid dissipation and feedback cooling in ultracold atomic gases (2024)

Acknowledgements have a quality which is hard to describe.

They feel like they’ve been drafted a hundred times in the head of the author, but then put down on the page in a hurry, the clock ticking on their deadline.

Like, they’re trying to tell you the most important thing they’ve ever said - at the very moment the ship is pulling away from the dock.

Tibor and Jena, Elisa and James, how can I express how much all your love and support has meant to me?

Allie Mokany

Resilience and resistance of ephemeral aquatic ecosystems to environmental change (2006)

Finally I thank you Kat, for being the only thing that really matters.

Jevon Longdell

Quantum information processing in rare Earth ion doped insulators (2003)

The urgency of the task, combined with its enormity, makes it seem almost impossible to complete.

Truly, I could never find the words to thank you for your support. There are so many of them and they catch in my throat even just thinking of them, and make it ache.

Inez Harker-Schuch

Using 3D serious gaming interventions to promote climate science literacy in the 12-13-year age group (2021)

At this point, to describe the thankfulness I want to express only seems to make it seem smaller than it really is, because words can only do so much.

Matthew Crabb

Nonlinear wave patterns in the complex KdV and nonlinear Schrodinger equations (2022)

Many people find themselves lost for words at this critical moment.

It’s frustrating for scientists to not be able to accurately represent their data.

For all that Tim has done to shape me into the person and the scientist that I am today, ‘thank you’ seems so embarrassingly simple and utterly inadequate to convey the depth of my gratitude to him. I truly hope I have done him proud.

Ponlawat Tayati

Molecular wet adhesion (2015)

I cannot begin to describe their level of kindness and generosity for which they – being the good souls they are – have expected nothing in return.

Synthesis and coordination chemistry of the arsacyclopentadiene ligand (2023)

In some ways, this section of my thesis is the hardest to write, and also the most important.

Sandra Ann Binning

The effects of biotic and abiotic factors on fish swimming performance (2014)

But even an English literature student would surely struggle with this writing project.

Within this generic format, you need to deliver an outpouring of love and gratitude on the scale of a wedding vow.

And then throw in the inside jokes of a 21st birthday speech, the teary-eyed reflections of a eulogy, and the celebration of a birth announcement.

It takes a village to raise a child and this PhD is as close to bearing a child as I’ll likely ever come.

Rachael Gross

At a crossroads: African elephant conservation, climate change and community-based management (2023)

He has had to live with me and the emotions that go with a PhD and has stood steadfastly by me encouraging me to the bitter end, though I’m sure he would like to know just when the demonic banshee moved in and I checked out.

Trudi Wharton

Biology and ecology of Essigella californica (Essig) on Pinus radiata D.Don. in Australia (2005)

There are many people who come in and out of your life and who make a difference. There are deaths and births; there is despair and joy.

Jennifer Metcalfe

Rethinking science communication models in practice (2019)

Thanks also to Moira, Zoë and Brad for tolerating my existence.

Michael Duglosch

Cross-coupling chemistry as a tool for the synthesis of diverse heterocyclic systems and natural products (2019)

Tom, few supervisors can say that their students have nearly killed them and mean it literally. Thanks for everything.

Iain McConnell

Substrate interactions in the Photosystem II water oxidising complex (2008)

• First quote
• Second quote
• Third quote
• Fourth quote
• Fifth quote

But in this, the most unscientific part of a PhD submission, you also see how the science is done.

No matter how impenetrable the thesis title, the project’s success always seems to come down to the same simple thing: other people.

Thank you to those individuals who donated their own teeth to my study, and to the late great Professor Colin Groves, who eagerly donated a dugong tooth for a laser ablation Sr standard, and then eagerly donated a second one when the first one went missing.

Hannah James

Adventures in archaeological science: an exploration of oxygen and strontium isotopic variability on a micro- to macro-scale (2021)

To Banak Gamui, I thank him for purchasing a roll of fishing line and a pair of gloves for the parrot project, and for which I never paid his money back.

The conservation of large rainforest parrots: a study of the breeding biology of palm cockatoos, eclectus parrots and vulturina parrots (2002)

These are advanced research projects, using high-tech equipment and sophisticated analysis, and yet the thing which is acknowledged, again and again, as if it’s of equal, if not greater, importance is conversation.

Just, you know, talking.

I would like to thank Dick Henley for his unrelenting enthusiasm for volcanoes and magmatic gases.

Dominique Tanner

In situ mineral geochemistry as a guide to ore-forming processes (2014)

I am thankful for Jim’s patience (especially with my typos), his discussions, his time, and his open-mindedness to my sometimes unusual ideas.

Larissa Huston

The high pressure phase transformations of silicon and germanium at the nanoscale (2019)

Laurence was very supportive about my interest in thrips even before I had a thrips project, and I will never forget some of the conversations we had in his office.

Brian Garms

Native insects as a framework for understanding potential impacts of exotic species (2014)

Thanks for letting me barge into your office whenever I came across problems with the micro-PL system and simply answering ‘I’ll be right there.’

Growth and characterisation of GaAs/AlGaAs core-shell nanowires for optoelectronic device dpplications (2016)

Thank you for patiently listening to my long conversations on Sonogashira reactions and sharing my frustrations when I couldn’t grow crystals.

Chriso Maria Thomas

Construction of porous supramolecular frameworks assembled from covalent cage compounds (2021)

Sometimes just having someone to listen to me when my research was at a stumbling block was all that was needed to find a solution, and I thank David for his patience and time in this regard.

Janet Pritchard

Linking fish growth and climate across modern space and through evolutionary time: otolith chronologies of the Australian freshwater fish, golden perch (Macquaria, ambigua, Percichthyidae) (2004)

Thank you to the friends who simply knew not to ask.

Sarah Tynan

Interpreting environmental change using bivalve shell geochemistry (2017)

• Sixth quote
• Seventh quote

After a while, I stopped dipping into the theses from before the 1980s.

Back then, acknowledgements were a business-like thank you to supervisors, collaborators, funding bodies, and typists.

Still, I’m sure there are stories in there too.

I wish to thank Professor J .C. Eccles for acting as supervisor of this research.

Rosamond Eccles

Physiological and pharmacological investigations on synaptic transmission in sympathetic ganglia (1955)

Finally, I thank Mrs Barbara Geary, both for her excellent typing and also for her willingness to accept, and ability to decipher, the manuscript drafts of the thesis.

John Groves

Varieties of soluble groups (1971)

Mrs Barbara Geary for her work in typing this thesis.

Yu Kiang Leong

The CREAM Conjecture and certain abelian-by-nilpotent varieties (1972)

For her excellent typing I thank Barbara Geary.

Langdon Harris

Varieties and section closed classes of groups (1973)

I particularly want to thank Mrs Barbara Geary for her excellent typing of this thesis. She has endured many awkward changes and revisions without complaint, and has transformed my messy drafts and redrafts into a beautifully typed manuscript.

Abul Kasem Muhammad Masood-ul-Alam

The topology of asymptotically Euclidean static perfect fluid space-time (1985)

Now, there are no limits to who, or what, you can thank.

Finally I wish to acknowledge the work of Dave Grohl who provided a fine soundtrack for much of this PhD study.

Andrew Sullivan

Competitive thermokinetics and non-linear bushfire behaviour (2007)

I would also like to thank the various astronomers who forgot to collect their desserts from the fridge over the years (they were not wasted).

Roberto Soria

Accretion processes in black-hole binaries (1999)

Thanks to my dog Tonks for the joy and cuddles.

Catherine Ross

Bringing back the bettong: reintroducing ecosystem engineers for restoration in Box-Gum grassy woodland (2020)

Shout out to my friends on and off Stromlo, for their patrician taste in hot pot and KFC.

Galactic Archaeology: the Milky Way in the context of large scale surveys (2022)

One of the most-repeated phrases in the acknowledgements is:

“I could not have done it without you”.

Every time I read it, I believed it to be 100 percent true.

Finally, thank you so much to my amazing family for their love, especially my wife, Maansi Joshi. You are my shining light, my daily inspiration and I could not have done this without you.

Geoffrey Kay

Scaling the benefits of agri-environment schemes for biodiversity conservation in agricultural landscapes (2016)

Finally, to Mum, your courage is inspiring. You may think I am the rock in the family, but I could not have finished my PhD without you.

Samuel Drew

Explorations in polyene chemistry (2015)

And finally to my beautiful wife, Jing, I could not have done this without you and I cannot wait to spend the rest of my life with you.

Roger Coulston

Cyclodextrin nanomachines at work (2009)

A PhD takes at least three years, and often many more, during which life necessarily goes on around you, or without you.

The cost is very real.

If you are in the lab, then you are not at home with your family. If you have relocated for your studies, you won’t be having home-cooked meals.

Six years is a long time.

Philip Palma

Laser-induced fluorescence imaging in free-piston shock tunnels (1999)

As their only child, my parents never stopped me from pursuing my dream. They unconditionally supported me to continue my study in Australia. Even if it means that I have to be thousands of miles away from them.

III-V compound semiconductor nanowire terahertz detectors (2016)

And thank you for picking up the slack with house chores whenever I was bogged down with lab work – I know I was the reason you bought that Roomba.

Lauren Harrison

Sex and conflict: How competition shapes reproduction, behaviour and life-histories in various animals (2022)

And sometimes, life will simply come at you, whether you want it to or not.

First, I want to acknowledge that the last year of my PhD, 2020, has been exceptionally hard for everyone. I am incredibly grateful for being safe and healthy.

Raktima Dey

Understanding historical and future changes in mean and extreme rainfall in Australia (2020)

I am grateful to all the persons who have helped me recover from the fire that devastated the observatory and destroyed my house at Mount Stromlo (at a very delicate moment of my thesis too...). I will remember everyone who shared those days with me, so full of tragedy but also of hope and all the best human feelings.

Maria Salvo

How good are type Ia supernovae as distance indicators? (2020)

Finally, to our baby, ‘Bubbles’, whose gentle kicks have reminded me I haven't been alone in the final months of this thesis. But, Bubbles, if you can just sit tight for a few more weeks so that Mum and Dad can have a rest we'd be very grateful.

Kelli Gowland

Investigations into the phorophyte and fungal relationships of three epiphytic Aeridinae orchid species in southeastern Australia (2008)

I’m sure there are detractors behind many a thesis, but in the acknowledgements, they only exist by omission.

And if the whole experience was an ordeal? Thankfully that’s now in the past.

Here, on this page, it’s a perfect world.

There’s no-one to blame and everyone to thank – including baristas.

Mum, you once told me I could do whatever I set my mind to, I told you that was a cliché, and you said, ‘Yeah but for you it’s actually true.’ Well here you go, look at the trouble that attitude has led to.

Thomas Loan

Cell lysate as a platform technology for biocatalytic synthesis and nucleic acid amplification (2020)

And of course to my parents, Andrew and Margaret; my foundation, my teachers, my wings.

David Blair

Comparisons of vegetation recovery post-fire, logging and salvage logging in the Victorian Central Highlands (2019)

Finally, to my parents: this may have all started when we visited the Sydney Observatory one birthday and saw the marks of Shoemaker-Levy 9 just spinning into view on the disk of Jupiter, but it was your love and support all these years since that made it possible.

Michele Bannister

Bright trans-Neptunian objects in the southern sky (2014)

This thesis happened because my family and good friends believe in me.

Jo Leen Lim

Protein engineering of Escherichia coli β-glucuronidase (2017)

Doing this thesis required considerable amounts of coffee. I want to recognise Luke, our Barista in the Little Pickle Café, for the excellent coffee and the funny attempts to learn Spanish.

Claudia Munera Roldan

Narratives of adaptation for future-oriented conservation (2017)

I thank my mother, Dr K. Lalitha for being the person I aspire to be. I wish I could be half person you were. Words can’t express how much I miss you…

Mayuri Sathyanarayana Rao

On the detection of spectral distortions in the CMB: recombination to reionisation (2017)

Why wouldn’t you want to read ‘just one more’?

You are all precious like stardust.

Dominik Koll

A 10-million year time profile of interstellar influx to Earth mapped through supernova Fe-60 and r-process Pu-244 (2023)

Who wouldn’t want to extend their time in such a world just a little bit longer?

This small family, including our cats, Molly and Jesse, is my true treasure.

Light-matter interaction models: symmetry and non-hermiticity (2023)

And to Louise, thank you for everything. I don't know how you do it.

James Hennessy

Modifying enzyme catalytic pathways (2009)

I wondered how many of these acknowledged loves endured, not to mention how many scientific or academic careers.

But for now, on that page, the author knows nothing of what the future will hold.

So long and thanks for all the coffee!

Samantha Burgess

Geochemical ecology of temperate corals (2007)

They are frozen in this moment in time between an ending and a beginning.

YES!! After a looooooong journey, I've finally done it! YES!!

Yi-chi (Candace) Tsai

Oxidative behaviour of O-methyltyrosine and p-methoxyphenylglycine derivatives (2007)

It is the best moment.

It seemed as though the day that I would type these acknowledgements would never come.

Amy Constable

The emergence, formalisation and evolution of biodiversity offset use in Australia (2022)

But at this point, looking back over the mountains you climbed and the valleys you crossed, you realise your motivation came from the people around you. That is why we have an acknowledgements section.

Liam D Bailey

Between the devil and the deep blue sea: consequences of extreme climatic events in the Eurasian oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) (2016)

It’s the moment when it’s done.

I am overwhelmed. I have finally completed this milestone, three and a half years of my life culminating in this body of work.

Andrew Shafik

5-methylcytidine has a complex, context-dependent role in RNA (2017)

It will take me the rest of my life to repay you for your patience, support, encouragement, dedication, and sacrifice.

Richard Turner

Avian life histories in a changing world: combining remote sensing with long-term monitoring of the superb fairy-wren Malurus cyaneus in Australia (2023)

Thank you, again and again.

Yi-Yang Chen

The nature and significance of 'macroalgae-epifauna-invertivorous fish' trophic links within a macroalgal-dominated reef ecosystem (2022)

John Dawson

Satellite radar interferometry with application to the observation of surface deformation in Australia (2008)

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

During the PhD program you will work with increased independence, under the direction of a supervisory panel of experts in the field. Your research will make an original and important contribution to human knowledge, research and development.

Scientists react to their PhD acknowledgements

We asked scientists to revisit their PhD acknowledgements. Watch the video as they reflect on that momentous time in their lives.

The best words in the best order: why do our astronomy students burn their PhD thesis?

The tradition of burning their PhD thesis has been handed down from student to student at Mount Stromlo ever since the 2003 bushfires.

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Personal quote at the beginning of a PhD thesis?

Is it appropriate to put at the beginning of my PhD thesis a personal quote that very few people would understand ? Could it make my work seem not serious ?

More specifically, it would be lyrics from a song that reflects a personal problem , that my phd helped me to deal with eventually. There is no direct link with the actual content about my research. It just feels right to me to acknowledge what these 4 years of phd brought to my life, beyond pure scientific aspects. 99% of the people reading my thesis would not understand the meaning, and it may even sound quite cryptic for them.

• 1 (1) Can you clarify what you mean by "appropriate"? (2) Also, this sort of thing is going to vary greatly by discipline and school. (3) Litmus test: do you expect people (including yourself) to read your PhD in the future and how do you imagine they would react? –  virmaior Commented May 14, 2016 at 9:02
• 4 Cryptic may go through; avoid "potentially offensive". –  Captain Emacs Commented May 14, 2016 at 9:57
• Why do such a thing? Why include something that nobody is likely to understand in the first place? –  Ébe Isaac Commented May 14, 2016 at 13:22
• Do you intend to use the quote as epigraph? –  Massimo Ortolano Commented May 14, 2016 at 13:56

Yes, it is appropriate and harmless. At worst, it will be ignored, and at best, it will serve to remind readers of your thesis that you are human, and maybe that they are, too.

More generally, academia.se seems to have many questions that follow the template "Is it appropriate to do [ insert completely innocuous but slightly nonconformist action that isn't mindlessly emulating the way everybody else in academia does something ]?" The answer to such questions is generally Yes. Moreover, for what it's worth, I personally have a favorable view of people who are not afraid to do things in a slightly unconventional way, and I'm sure there are others who take the same view as me.

• I added quotations to each chapter in my thesis, and got away with it. Many of the quotations were rather whimsical, and only vaguely related to the chapter that followed. –  Simon B Commented May 16, 2016 at 15:58
• @SimonB that's interesting. It might be helpful if you also mention what happened after you did that... –  Dan Romik Commented May 16, 2016 at 18:13
• Nothing really happened. The examiners didn't seem bothered by them. –  Simon B Commented May 16, 2016 at 21:37

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Last impressions count – writing your PhD thesis conclusion

Feb 12, 2019

Picture this: your examiner has just spent a week reading your thesis (yes – it takes that long!). They’ve understood your aims and objectives, like your methodology, think you applied your theory well and found your results fascinating.

Then they get to the conclusion and see that it is badly written. It seems unclear and hasn’t answered the research questions. The contribution is left hanging. It’s making grandiose claims that aren’t backed up in the empirics. The report that they subsequently write for your viva questions whether the research is actually complete.

Awful, right? Well, it happens a lot. The conclusion is the last thing the examiner reads and has a lasting impact on how they see the whole thesis.

That means: last impressions count.

In this guide,  I explain to you in clear and simple terms how to write a superstar PhD thesis conclusion. One that really impresses your examiner and gives your thesis the send-off it deserves.

There are lots of guides out there that explain how to write a PhD thesis conclusion, but few that explain how to write outstanding conclusions.

Keep reading.

The purpose of a conclusion

You can see from your PhD Writing Template that a PhD conclusion should achieve six objectives:

Answer the research questions Show how you have addressed your aims and objectives Explain the significance and implications of your findings Explain the contribution the study makes Explain the limitations of the study Lay out questions for further research

These are the basics and you probably know them already.

The problem is that most guides I’ve found online to writing PhD thesis conclusions seem to stop at these six points.

That’s fine, but if you want to write a superstar conclusion – and you do, because last impression counts remember – you need to consider a whole bunch of other things.

Keep reading, I’ll show you how.

How to write a superstar conclusion

Think of reading a PhD thesis being like a journey.

At the beginning, you – the author – are talking in speculative terms, particularly during your literature and theory work. You are saying ‘what if’ and postulating about what might be out there once you enter the field.

You talk in terms of hypotheses and potentials. The tone is one of: ‘perhaps things might be behaving in a certain way, so let’s get out in the field and see whether they do or not’.

As you go through the empirical chapters you begin to introduce a bit more certainty into your discussion. You start to change from ‘what if’ to ‘here is what’s happening’.

But – and this is the important bit – by the time you have reached the conclusion you have eliminated all uncertainty.

As a result, you are now the expert in your field. You have scoped out the potential, jumped into the field and achieved your objectives.

There are two things to consider if you want to write a superstar conclusion.

1. Own your research

So, in the conclusion, start talking like an expert. Showcase your expertise and show your examiner that you are worthy of being called Doctor. If you don’t execute your conclusion properly and leave things unfinished, the examiner is questioning your suitability and is going to recommend that you work on your thesis for another few months.

But wait, what do I mean by ‘unfinished’?

Well, answering the six questions above is imperative. But, most importantly, you need to really drive home the contribution that the thesis has made . Regardless of whether you can see it or not, your thesis contributes something to the field. It might be a new methodology, a new application of theory onto an existing body of data or sample, or a contradiction of established ways of thinking. Whatever it is, you need to shout about it. Loudly. Like an expert.

If you hesitate and remain vague, the examiner will see this . Sure, you might think that the research could have been better. Sure, you messed up that one experiment. Sure, you aimed to find one thing but ended up finding another. But focus on those shortcomings later, after you have told the reader about all the fantastic contributions you have made (however small – and in fact, they will be small. Don’t try to over-generalise your contribution ) and after you have shown how, you would have fulfilled the research aims and objectives.

While you’re doing it, own the literature . Relate your findings back to particular studies and don’t be afraid to say what studies your new findings seems to contradict or which it seems to invalidate. That’s what exerting your (new) authority is all about.

A conclusion that fails to relate the findings to the literature is an incomplete conclusion. You spent pages and pages neatly carving out a gap in the literature; the least you can do is show how your research fills that gap.

2. See the thesis, not the detail

A superstar conclusion is one that doesn’t get weighed down in detail. It talks to the thesis, not the detail. The time for detail is over. Now you take a step back and look at the entire project.

Each chapter is a piece of the puzzle and only when they are all slotted together do you have an entire thesis. That means that a great conclusion is one that shows that the thesis is bigger than the sum of its individual chapters.

The conclusion is not the time to get lost in words and talk in lengthy detail about particular theoretical, empirical or methodological issues; you’ve had the previous 200 pages or so to do that. Instead, it’s the time to clearly and concisely – but still critically – explain your thesis and its significance.

So, rather than get bogged down in detail, your job is to reflect back on your original aims and intentions and discuss them in terms of your findings and new expertise.

It also means summarising your thesis in a way that is free of unnecessary detail and is easy to understand.

Three things not to do in a conclusion

1. don’t repeat yourself.

Somewhere in your conclusion, you need to have an executive summary of your entire thesis. Our PhD writing template can help with this, as it forces you to write a synopsis of each chapter which you can add together for a summary of the thesis.

Note, though, that there’s a difference between summarising your thesis and repeating huge tracts of it. If you have done your job properly in the empirical and discussion chapters, the reader will be familiar with your findings. There’s no need to repeat them in the conclusion. It’ll bore the pants off your examiner if they have to read them again.

A quick summary or recap of the findings is sufficient, not a lengthy restatement. The same is true with your theory framework or literature review. Recap, don’t repeat.

2. Don’t introduce new text or material

The job of the conclusion then is to summarise and recap, not to introduce new material. If you feel the need to include new empirical material or new literature here, don’t. It needs to go elsewhere.

The conclusion will certainly talk back to your literature review or empirical data, in the sense that it will seek to fulfil certain objectives and address a gap in the literature. The point is that you need to state your objectives and discuss the gap in the literature earlier in the thesis. You use the conclusion to relate the empirical findings to those objectives and to that gap. The literature review and theory framework lay out the objectives and aims of the research, whereas the conclusion discusses how you have met those objectives and aims. It will neither lay out new objectives or aims (using new literature), nor will it do the job of fulfilling those aims (by presenting new empirical data). It will merely explain in clear terms how you have done those things elsewhere in the text.

3. Don’t pretend that your thesis does more than it actually does

Remember earlier when we discussed not owning your research and speaking as an authority? One way to fail at this is to over-generalise or to pretend that your thesis does more than it actually does.

There is no shame in focusing in on a very specific contribution . It’s unlikely that your PhD thesis is going to completely revolutionise your field, so don’t claim that it has. Instead, refer back to your literature review and relate it to other discussions and the gaps that you identified. This isn’t to suggest that your study can’t impact the broader field; if you think your study (which, lets face it, is going to be limited, given the constraints of doctoral research) has the potential to revolutionise the field you should lay these out as questions for future research. Or, perhaps your thesis has policy implications – don’t be afraid to list them, but don’t be overconfident in your appraisal.

Don’t forget to discuss the implications or your thesis and the directions for future research. No PhD thesis is perfect and you should acknowledge what your thesis didn’t do as much as what it could have. This doesn’t stop with a discussion on the epistemological, ontological or methodological limitations of the study, but extends to your own personal limitations. Did you run out of time? Did you struggle to recruit participants because of language barriers? Or maybe you didn’t have the budget to conduct the study you wanted to? These kinds of personal reflections are important, as they show humility and that you are aware of avenues for growth.

A conclusion that fails to explain the contribution, that fails to recap and that fails to focus on the entire thesis rather than the detail will leave the reader unsatisfied.

The conclusion needs to wrap up the research.   It needs to clearly state the answers to the research questions and lay out in clear, undisputed terms the contribution that you are making. Fail to do this and you’ll be left trying to convince your examiner that the study is complete when it comes to your viva.

Do it well, and the examiner will already think you’re worthy of the title Doctor before your viva has even begun.

Hello, Doctor…

Sounds good, doesn’t it?  Be able to call yourself Doctor sooner with our five-star rated How to Write A PhD email-course. Learn everything your supervisor should have taught you about planning and completing a PhD.

Now half price. Join hundreds of other students and become a better thesis writer, or your money back. 

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25 of the Best Motivational Quotes from Scientists

We’ve been posting motivational science quotes every Monday for a couple of years now. Why do we do it, you ask? Because we love digging into the wisdom of scientists past and present, reminding ourselves why the work we do is so important. And we love being able to pass on these little nuggets of optimism and motivation as we find them.

When we interview scientists for our blog , as well as asking them for their favorite science jokes , as we also ask what their favorite science quotes are.

We’ve had so many brilliant ones shared with us, so we wanted to collect our top 25 into one great big inspirational blog for you. Bookmark this page for whenever you feel like life in the lab is getting you down.

1. “Everything is theoretically impossible, until it is done.” – Robert A. Heinlein.

“Although from a sci-fi book, I think it captures the spirit of the scientific frontier,” says Martyn Webb , who’s studying for his PhD at the University of East Anglia.

2. “The reward of the young scientist is the emotional thrill of being the first person in the history of the world to see something or to understand something. Nothing can compare with that experience.” – Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin

We’re sure every passionate early career researcher will agree! Thank you Dr Deborah Kronenberg-Versteeg from the University of Cambridge for sharing this beautiful quote from the British-born American astronomer and astrophysicist (who proposed in her 1925 doctoral thesis that stars were composed primarily of hydrogen and helium).

3. “What you learn from a life in science is the vastness of our ignorance.” – David Eagleman

Next time you feel pressure to know everything, remember this quote that Dr Laura Boddington shared with us. Knowing everything is impossible, don’t let imposter syndrome take hold!

4. "If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants." – Issac Newton

Kate Manley , part of the Prostate Cancer Genetics Team at the University of East Anglia, reminds us of the importance of acknowledging all the scientists whose discoveries have made our current work possible.

5. “If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?” – Albert Einstein

Thanks to James Cleland , PhD Fellow at the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, for making this our favourite retort to: “Are you going to clean that up?”

6. "Our virtues and our failures are inseparable, like force and matter. When they separate, man is no more.” – Nikola Tesla

It’s important to remember that failure is not only an inevitable part of life, it’s an inevitable part of success. Thank you Lab Heroes Runner-Up Elisabeth Paul , soon-to-be PhD Student at Linköping University, for sharing this.

7. “Impossible only means that you haven’t found the solution yet.” – Anonymous

Thank you to Lab Heroes Runner-Up Ettore Ambrosini , a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Padova, for this mantra for those days when nothing feels possible. There is always a way!

8. “In science the credit goes to the man who convinces the world, not to the man to whom the idea first occurs.” – Sir William Osler

Just because you aren’t the first person to do it, doesn’t mean it’s not hugely important. Thank you to Lab Heroes Winner Dr Enitome Bafor from the University of Benin for the reminder that there’s always a new way to see, understand, and communicate things.

9. “Every brilliant experiment, like every great work of art, starts with an act of imagination.” – Jonah Lehrer

It’s no wonder that so many scientists are also brilliant artists. Life science truly is is one of the most creative, beautiful industries to work in. Thank you Nina Lichtenberg from UCLA for this one.

10. “The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it.” – Neil deGrasse Tyson

Chris Hoyle from the University of Manchester sharing one of our personal favourite science quotes here. I mean, we’re biased of course, but… can you really argue with that?

11. “Science is not only a disciple of reason but also one of romance and passion.” – Stephen Hawking

The late, great Stephen Hawking reminding us why we all fell in love with science. Thank you Elizabeth Thomas from the Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre for this one.

12. “Science and everyday life cannot and should not be separated.” – Rosalind Franklin

“[This is] my favorite quote that I have held onto since graduate school,” says Madison Fletcher , a postdoc at the University of California, Irvine. We can see why, and we love this too.

13. “All outstanding work, in art as well as in science, results from immense zeal applied to a great idea.” – Santiago Ramón y Cajal

We love this quote, shared with us by Dr Samantha Murray . It reminds us that our passion for what we do is as important as our ability.

14. “If you know you are on the right track, if you have this inner knowledge, then nobody can turn you off... no matter what they say.” – Barbara McClintock

Maria Diehl shared this wonderful quote from Barbara McClintock, cytogeneticist and winner of the 1983 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, with us. A brilliant reminder to always trust our gut instinct, and follow our curiosity.

15. “Above all, don't fear difficult moments. The best comes from them.” – Rita Levi-Montalcini

Another brilliant quote shared by Maria Diehl. Rita Levi-Montalcini won the 1986 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine jointly with colleague Stanley Cohen for the discovery of nerve growth factor. So we’re definitely inclined to take her advice.

16. “Research is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought.” – Albert Szent-Györgyi

Professor Elek Molnar from our Scientific Advisory Board reminding us that, as life scientists, our ability to research is something truly special.

17. “If you want to have good ideas, you must have many ideas.” – Linus Pauling

“It sums up my scientific method,” says Stuart Maudsley from the University of Antwerp.

18. “We are just an advanced breed of monkeys on a minor planet of a very average star. But we can understand the Universe. That makes us something very special.” – Stephen Hawking

If you’re ever struggling with motivation, it helps to remember how remarkable you are just for being human! Thank you James Quinn from the University of Manchester the reminder.

19. “Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.” – Marie Curie

This quote, shared by postdoc Christina Murray from UCL, feels especially pertinent right now.

20. “Science means constantly walking a tightrope between blind faith and curiosity; between expertise and creativity; between bias and openness; between experience and epiphany; between ambition and passion; and between arrogance and conviction – in short, between and old today and a new tomorrow.” — Henrich Rohrer

Thank you Adriana Humanes from Newcastle University for the reminder of how important and unique our work as scientists is.

21. “Science knows no country, because knowledge belongs to humanity, and is the torch which illuminates the world.” – Louis Pasteur

This one’s from our Head of Product Development James Flanaghan . As an international business committed to championing and connecting life scientists all over the world, we couldn’t love this sentiment more.

22. “When kids look up to great scientists the way they do musicians, actors [and sports figures], civilization will jump to the next level.” – Brian Greene

Thanks to our Head of US Operations, Paula Klockner , for this one! Maybe we WILL realise our dreams of being scientists / rock stars after all...

23. “The important thing is to never stop questioning [or learning].” – Albert Einstein

Another great quote that’s one of Paula’s favourites, and one to remember when we feel too scared to ask that burning question. We’re all still learning, no matter how far along our career path we are. That’s the beauty of science.

24. “We cannot solve problems with the same thinking we used to create them.” – Albert Einstein

Yep, this is our third Einstein quote of the article. But you can’t deny the guy knew what he was talking about! This quote shared by our Head of Chemistry Dr Richard Patterson reminds us of the importance of thinking outside of the box.

25. “I am among those who think that science has great beauty.” – Marie Curie

What better sentiment to end on than this? This is one is our Director of Marketing Dr Sam Roome ’s favorite quote. Because science is sometimes hard, and messy, and complicated, and frustrating… but at its core, it’s absolutely beautiful.

What science quotes do you have pinned up in your lab?

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If you enjoyed reading this article, why not check out the other resources available on our blog. As well as trying to promote diversity in science, we're passionate about supporting early career life scientists and PhD students - with affordable reagents and biochemicals, travel grants, and resources to help with both personal and professional development. We know how tough it is - so we hope you find these helpful!

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Quotes to use in PhD thesis

I am procrastinating, but I was thinking how cool would it be to have a quote on the first page of my acknowledgment, something along the line of: “doing a PhD is like taking a viagra, if it stays hard for too long, you should seek a professional help”- Me, 2024

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Direct Quotations in Theses – Presentation, Integration and Accuracy

Posted by Rene Tetzner | Nov 11, 2023 | PhD Success | 0 |

Chapter 8: Direct Quotations: Presentation, Integration and Accuracy

  Not all doctoral candidates will make use of direct quotation in their theses, but many theses will include one or a few quoted passages, while others will feature a wide variety of quoted text and/or speech. The idea behind using the exact words of another person (or of other people in the case of sources with more than one author) is that those words contribute to your argument: they may support or contradict your methods, results or conclusions; they may be selected from a text or texts that your thesis analyses in detail; they may be exemplary, pithy or perfect expressions of ideas you introduce and discuss. Whatever your reasons for quoting the words of others in your own writing may be, you need to quote them accurately, remembering that ‘a direct quotation presents the exact words spoken on a particular occasion or written in a particular place’ (Ritter, 2005, Section 9.1). It is also essential that you observe with precision the appropriate scholarly techniques for quoting sources and that you make it absolutely clear to your readers how you are using direct quotations by introducing them effectively and discussing their significance in relation to your argument. In most cases, it is not enough simply to quote a passage and assume that your readers (and examiners) will know why you have quoted it: you need to let them know what you expect them to read or understand in the borrowed words. Any quotations you use should be integrated correctly into the syntax of your own prose as well, and all direct quotations must be acknowledged with precise references to the sources from which they have been taken. If your university or department has provided you with guidelines, they may offer instructions on the quotation practices appropriate for your thesis, in which case those instructions should be prioritised and used in conjunction with the more general advice provided in this chapter. The sections that follow focus on the scholarly practices and formats associated with quoting sources in acceptable ways in formal English prose, beginning with the most practical aspects of presenting quoted material – namely, laying it out on the page and providing the necessary references to the sources quoted.

8.1 Formatting and Acknowledging Quotations

There are two main ways to present quoted material in scholarly prose: it can be formatted as run-on or run-in quotations that are embedded in the main text, or it can be laid out as displayed or block quotations that are set off from the text. Short prose quotations, particularly those of less than a single sentence, are generally embedded, which means that they become a part of your own sentences and paragraphs. They therefore appear in the same font size as the surrounding text and are enclosed in quotation marks (The results of my investigation did not show ‘the negative effect of poor lighting’ (Bennett, 2007, p.197) revealed in an earlier study of the problem). Single quotation marks (‘ ’), as I use in this book, or double quotation marks (“ ”) can be used, but the same type must be used to mark all quotations in a thesis. Traditionally, single quotation marks tended to be used in British English and double quotation marks in American English, but this distinction is no longer as consistent or widespread as it once was. If the university or department guidelines you are using give any indication of the kind of quotation marks desired, you should follow that advice; otherwise, you may want to prefer one type of mark over the other based on whether British or American English is required or used, or you may want to follow your own preferences.

Whichever type of quotation mark is adopted for embedded quotations, the opposite type will be needed to enclose any quotations that appear within those quotations, as double quotation marks are used to enclose the word ‘novelty’ (a quote within a quote) in the following sentence: The results of my investigation did not show ‘the negative effect of poor lighting’ that surprised Bennett ‘due to its “novelty” in trials of this kind’ (2007, p.197). Were the main quotation enclosed in double quotation marks instead, the word ‘novelty’ would be marked by single quotation marks. In both cases the pattern of alternation continues if there is, by chance, a quote within a quote within a quote: single marks for the main quote with double marks enclosing the quote within it and a return to single marks to enclose the quote within that, or double marks for the main quote with single marks enclosing the quote within it and a return to double marks to enclose the quote within that. The two types could theoretically alternate indefinitely to provide many layers of quotation, but it is rare that more than three layers are used. Since errors often creep into the layered use of quotation marks, quotations featuring them require especially careful checking to ensure that each opening quotation mark has a matching and appropriately placed closing mark.

Longer prose quotations are usually displayed or set off as block quotations, but exactly what length quotations should be to justify such treatment varies considerably from style to style: quotations of forty words or more are displayed as block quotations in some styles, while in others a quotation should be longer (100 words or more in some cases) to receive such treatment. There is, then, no firm rule based on the length of the passage, though if university or department guidelines indicate that quotations over a particular word count should be displayed, do observe them. Alternate criteria can be used, however, to determine the format of quotations in the absence of such instructions. You might, for example, choose to display a short quotation that is central to your argument or to embed a long quotation in order to comment on parts of it in more detail; you might decide to display a series of quotations of varying length in order to highlight them and facilitate comparison, or to embed the same series of quotations to make the text more readable; or you might embed quotations that are central to the argument of your thesis, but display those cited as examples or illustrations. It is therefore essential to determine exactly what criteria you will use to make this distinction before formatting quotations and then to stick to those criteria as consistently as possible, making exceptions only when they serve your argument or your reasons for quoting in the first place.

When quotations are displayed, they are not enclosed in quotation marks, but they should start on a new line and they often feature a slightly smaller font size than that used in the main text of a document (in this book, for instance, I use a 12-point font for the main text, but an 11-point font for block quotations). The line spacing around and within a block quotation may also differ from that used in the main text of a thesis, and the same may be the case with indentation and justification, with all of these differences enabling the quotations to stand out effectively from your own prose. If your university or department provides specific instructions for laying out block quotations, they should be followed, but, in most cases, indentation (left or both left and right) and a smaller font size will suffice for marking displayed quotations. The following passage shows a simple but effective layout for prose quotations:

His manuscript project underwent various changes as it proceeded, however, and among these developments was the transformation of this meditation designed for readers into twin ‘meditational dramas’ that enact that reflective experience and could well have been performed, in the author’s priory perhaps, or the hall of a local gentleman, or the streets of a nearby Yorkshire community.

                                                                                                                   (Olson, 2012, p.338)

Since quotation marks are not required around the entire quotation, single quotation marks are used for quotations within the quotation, which results in a different alternation pattern than that for embedded quotations: single marks for quotations within the block quotation, double marks for quotations within those quotations and so on, with the reverse the case if double quotation marks are the predominant marks used in the thesis (double marks for quotations within block quotations, single marks for quotations within those quotations and so on).

When quoting more than a single line of poetry or any text (whether long or short) for which retaining the exact format of the original is important, such as lists, letters, interviews and passages from plays, and when quoting prose passages of more than a single paragraph, displaying the quotation is in almost all cases a much better choice than embedding it. Here, for instance, is a passage of the Middle English poem Piers Plowman (B-Text) formatted as a block quotation:

      For if heuene be on þis erþe, and ese to any soule,

      It is in cloistre or in scole, by manye skiles I fynde.

      For in cloistre comeþ no man to carpe ne to fiȝte

      But al is buxomnesse þere and bokes, to rede and to lerne.

          (Kane & Donaldson, 1975, X.305–308)

Notice that the indentation at the left is set so that the longest line is more or less centred on the page, although each line starts in the same position (not centre justified), and the passage is formatted to represent as faithfully as possible the layout of the poem in the source text. If the poem’s indentation varies in the source, this should be represented by extra indentation in the format of the block quotation. If any line is too long to fit on a single line in the block quotation and thus runs over onto the next line, the runover line should be indented a space or two beyond the usual indentation to distinguish it from new lines. If any quotations appear within the quoted lines, they should be enclosed in quotation marks exactly as they are in prose block quotations. Finally, if the quotation begins part way through a line, a space representing the length of the omitted material should be inserted before the quotation:

                             comeþ no man to carpe ne to fiȝte

                                              (Kane & Donaldson, 1975, X.307–308)

The layout of a letter or list, the dialogue of a play including speaker tags and stage directions, the exchange during an interview and the breaks between paragraphs in a long prose quotation can be reproduced in similar ways in the formatting of a block quotation, as is the case in this example:

INTERVIEWER: Were you able to move easily when connected to the equipment?

RESPONDENT 1: Yes, most of the time, but a few of the exercises were more difficult.

INTERVIEWER: Do you remember which ones presented movement problems?

If two or more block quotations appear one after the other, make sure that the spacing between them leaves no ambiguity about where one quotation ends and the next begins. It should also be made clear whether the paragraph that precedes a block quotation continues after the quotation or not, so if a new paragraph begins immediately after displayed material, indentation and/or spacing should indicate that this is the case.

Although embedding such specifically formatted quotations should be avoided if at all possible, there are instances in which more than one line of poetry, more than one paragraph of prose or the parts of a letter, list or play will need to be presented as run-on quotations within your own sentences and paragraphs. In such cases, the original formatting should be represented as accurately as possible while maintaining effective sentence and paragraph structure and a tidy page layout. For lines of poetry, for instance, the font should be the same size as the main text, capitalisation should be retained and line breaks should be marked by either a forward slash or a vertical line (see Section 5.6.5) with a space on either side, as in the following example: ‘For if heuene be on þis erþe, and ese to any soule, | It is in cloistre or in scole, by manye skiles I fynde. | For in cloistre comeþ no man to carpe ne to fiȝte | But al is buxomnesse þere and bokes, to rede and to lerne’ (Kane & Donaldson, 1975, X.305–308). When a quotation of more than one paragraph is embedded, quotation marks should appear at the beginning of the quotation and at the beginning of each new paragraph, but only at the end of the final paragraph (or the end of the quotation if the final paragraph is not quoted in its entirety). The same approach should be used when quoting dialogue in which a single speaker’s words extend over more than one paragraph.

Representing lists, the dialogue in plays (along with stage directions) and the questions and answers in interviews as embedded quotations will be a little more challenging, and it is always best to format them as block quotations if possible, but short passages of this kind can be successful (if not ideal) when careful and creative formatting is used: ‘INTERVIEWER: Were you able to move easily when connected to the equipment? RESPONDENT 1: Yes, most of the time, but a few of the exercises were more difficult. INTERVIEWER: Do you remember which ones presented movement problems?’ I have not used quotation marks around the actual speech of the two parties in this example, which is an acceptable approach for such dialogue (when quoting a play as well) whether it is embedded or displayed, but the additional quotation marks can certainly be added around those bits of direct speech to avoid confusion when using an embedded format: ‘WILL: “Where did she go?” ROB, looking from side to side : “She was just here.” WILL, looking up and pointing : “She’s there.”’ Embedding quotations of this kind may be particularly necessary in footnotes and endnotes, because the font used in notes is usually smaller than that in the main text, which means that block quotations become smaller still, so even long quotations with complicated formatting are often embedded in notes.

When the quotation is displayed, the same source information is required, but the parenthetical reference is positioned a little differently: after the closing punctuation of a block quotation, for instance, and usually oriented to the right on the line directly below the quotation, as it appears in the block quotations from Olson and Piers Plowman that I provided above. If there is room for the reference on the final line of the quotation, that is usually an acceptable position as well, and certainly it is on that line immediately after the closing punctuation of the block quotation that a note number or numerical reference would appear instead if that is the system you are using:

                                But al is buxomnesse þere and bokes, to rede and to lerne. 1

As with embedded quotations, an explanation of your referencing practices can be offered in the first relevant note to facilitate shorter references and avoid numerous notes if the same text is quoted frequently, and, as a general rule, regardless of which quotation format or system of referencing you use, subsequent references to the same text can be shortened to provide only the information absolutely necessary for the reader to locate the quotation accurately. If, for example, you are discussing Langland for several paragraphs in which you quote repeatedly from his poem, it is not necessary to identify the author, poem, editors and publication date with each quotation unless it is unclear which text is being cited; only if a different author or text, or perhaps a different edition or version of the poem is quoted in the midst of the discussion would a full reference be required to reorient the reader. Shortening references to a bare minimum is noted as desirable in most style guides, but do be sure that you provide enough information in each instance for your readers to identify and locate your quotations, remembering that offering too much information is preferable to offering too little.

Why PhD Success?

To Graduate Successfully

This article is part of a book called "PhD Success" which focuses on the writing process of a phd thesis, with its aim being to provide sound practices and principles for reporting and formatting in text the methods, results and discussion of even the most innovative and unique research in ways that are clear, correct, professional and persuasive.

The assumption of the book is that the doctoral candidate reading it is both eager to write and more than capable of doing so, but nonetheless requires information and guidance on exactly what he or she should be writing and how best to approach the task. The basic components of a doctoral thesis are outlined and described, as are the elements of complete and accurate scholarly references, and detailed descriptions of writing practices are clarified through the use of numerous examples.

The basic components of a doctoral thesis are outlined and described, as are the elements of complete and accurate scholarly references, and detailed descriptions of writing practices are clarified through the use of numerous examples. PhD Success provides guidance for students familiar with English and the procedures of English universities, but it also acknowledges that many theses in the English language are now written by candidates whose first language is not English, so it carefully explains the scholarly styles, conventions and standards expected of a successful doctoral thesis in the English language.

Individual chapters of this book address reflective and critical writing early in the thesis process; working successfully with thesis supervisors and benefiting from commentary and criticism; drafting and revising effective thesis chapters and developing an academic or scientific argument; writing and formatting a thesis in clear and correct scholarly English; citing, quoting and documenting sources thoroughly and accurately; and preparing for and excelling in thesis meetings and examinations. 

Completing a doctoral thesis successfully requires long and penetrating thought, intellectual rigour and creativity, original research and sound methods (whether established or innovative), precision in recording detail and a wide-ranging thoroughness, as much perseverance and mental toughness as insight and brilliance, and, no matter how many helpful writing guides are consulted, a great deal of hard work over a significant period of time. Writing a thesis can be an enjoyable as well as a challenging experience, however, and even if it is not always so, the personal and professional rewards of achieving such an enormous goal are considerable, as all doctoral candidates no doubt realise, and will last a great deal longer than any problems that may be encountered during the process.

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Rene Tetzner

Rene Tetzner's blog posts dedicated to academic writing. Although the focus is on How To Write a Doctoral Thesis, many other important aspects of research-based writing, editing and publishing are addressed in helpful detail.

Related Posts

PhD Success – How To Write a Doctoral Thesis

October 1, 2023

Table of Contents – PhD Success

October 2, 2023

The Essential – Preliminary Matter

October 3, 2023

The Main Body of the Thesis

October 4, 2023

• Acknowledgements for PhD Thesis and Dissertations – Explained
• Doing a PhD

The Purpose of Acknowledgements

The acknowledgement section of a thesis or dissertation is where you recognise and thank those who supported you during your PhD. This can be but is not limited to individuals, institutions or organisations.

Although your acknowledgements will not be used to evaluate your work, it is still an important section of your thesis. This is because it can have a positive (or negative for that matter) influence the perception of your reader before they even reach the main body of your work.

Who Should I Acknowledge?

Acknowledgements for a PhD thesis will typically fall into one of two categories – professional or personal.

Within these categories, who you thank will ultimately be your decision. However, it’s imperative that you pay special attention to the ‘professional’ group. This is because not thanking someone who has played an important role in your studies, whether it be intentional or accidental, will more often than not be seen as a dismissal of their efforts. Not only would this be unfair if they genuinely helped you, but from a certain political aspect, it could also jeopardise any opportunities for future collaborations .

Professional Acknowledgements

This may include, but is not limited to:

• Funding bodies/sponsorship providers
• Supervisors
• Research group and lab assistants
• Research participants
• Proofreaders

Personal Acknowledgements

• Key family members and friends
• Individuals who inspired you or directly influenced your academic journey
• Anyone else who has provided personal support that you would like to mention

It should be noted that certain universities have policies which state only those who have directly supported your work, such as supervisors and professors, should be included in your acknowledgements. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you read your university guidelines before writing this section of your thesis.

How to Write Acknowledgements for PhD Thesis

When producing this section, your writing style can be more informal compared to the rest of your thesis. This includes writing in first person and using more emotive language. Although in most cases you will have complete freedom in how you write this section of your thesis, it is still highly advisable to keep it professional. As mentioned earlier, this is largely because it will be one of the first things your assessors will read, and so it will help set the tone for the rest of your work.

In terms of its structure, acknowledgements are expected to be ordered in a manner that first recognises the most formal support before moving onto the less formal support. In most cases, this follows the same order that we have outlined in the ‘Who Should I Thank’ section.

When thanking professionals, always write out their full name and provide their title. This is because although you may be on a first-name basis with them, those who read your thesis will not. By providing full names and titles, not only do you help ensure clarity, but it could also indirectly contribute to the credibility of your thesis should the individual you’re thanking be well known within your field.

If you intend to include a list of people from one institution or organisation, it is best to list their names in alphabetical order. The exception to this is when a particular individual has been of significant assistance; here, it would be advisable to list them.

How Long Should My Acknowledgements Be?

Acknowledgements vary considerably in length. Some are a single paragraph whilst some continue for up to three pages. The length of your acknowledgement page will mostly depend on the number of individuals you want to recognise.

As a general rule, try to keep your acknowledgements section to a single page. Although there are no word limits, creating a lengthy acknowledgements section dilutes the gratitude you’re trying to express, especially to those who have supported you the most.

Where Should My Acknowledgements Go?

In the vast majority of cases, your acknowledgements should appear directly after your abstract and before your table of contents.

However, we highly advise you to check your university guidelines as a few universities set out their own specific order which they will expect you to follow.

Phrases to Help You Get Started

We appreciate how difficult it can be to truly show how grateful you are to those who have supported you over the years, especially in words.

To help you get started, we’ve provided you with a few examples of sentences that you can complete or draw ideas from.

• I am deeply grateful to XXX…
• I would like to express my sincere gratitude to XXX…
• I would like to offer my special thanks to XXX…
• I would like to extend my sincere thanks to XXX…
• …for their assistance at every stage of the research project.
• …for their insightful comments and suggestions.
• …for their contribution to XXX.
• …for their unwavering support and belief in me.

Thesis Acknowledgement Examples

Below are three PhD thesis acknowledgment samples from which you can draw inspiration. It should be noted that the following have been extracted from theses which are freely available in the public domain. Irrespective of this, references to any individual, department or university have been removed for the sake of privacy.

First and foremost I am extremely grateful to my supervisors, Prof. XXX and Dr. XXX for their invaluable advice, continuous support, and patience during my PhD study. Their immense knowledge and plentiful experience have encouraged me in all the time of my academic research and daily life. I would also like to thank Dr. XXX and Dr. XXX for their technical support on my study. I would like to thank all the members in the XXX. It is their kind help and support that have made my study and life in the UK a wonderful time. Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to my parents, my wife and my children. Without their tremendous understanding and encouragement in the past few years, it would be impossible for me to complete my study.

I would like to thank my supervisors Dr. XXX and Dr. XXX for all their help and advice with this PhD. I would also like to thank my sisters, whom without this would have not been possible. I also appreciate all the support I received from the rest of my family. Lastly, I would like to thank the XXX for the studentship that allowed me to conduct this thesis.

I would like to thank my esteemed supervisor – Dr. XXX for his invaluable supervision, support and tutelage during the course of my PhD degree. My gratitude extends to the Faculty of XXX for the funding opportunity to undertake my studies at the Department of XXX, University of XXX. Additionally, I would like to express gratitude to Dr. XXX for her treasured support which was really influential in shaping my experiment methods and critiquing my results. I also thank Dr. XXX, Dr. XXX, Dr. XXX for their mentorship. I would like to thank my friends, lab mates, colleagues and research team – XXX, XXX, XXX, XXX for a cherished time spent together in the lab, and in social settings. My appreciation also goes out to my family and friends for their encouragement and support all through my studies.

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How to write a unique thesis acknowledgement (+ FAQs)

Crafting a thesis acknowledgement is typically one of the final steps in completing a thesis. This post aims to assist you in gaining insights and guidance by addressing common questions related to thesis acknowledgements. By doing so, it enables you to create a distinct and meaningful acknowledgment section that reflects your gratitude and appreciation.

What is a thesis acknowledgement?

Do i need a thesis acknowledgement.

While a thesis acknowledgement is typically not a mandatory requirement, omitting it might not be seen positively. Writing a thesis almost always involves some form of assistance or support, whether from a supervisor, family, or friends.

Who should I thank in my thesis acknowledgment?

The thesis acknowledgement offers flexibility, but thanking your thesis supervisor/s is an absolute must—non-negotiable. It would be highly unusual to omit their appreciation.

Apart from these essentials, you have the freedom to thank anyone you desire. Common mentions include parents, partners, friends, peers, and colleagues. Some may even extend gratitude to pets or coffee! Injecting humor is acceptable, but maintaining a certain level of formality is advised, as explained in the subsequent section.

How to deal with a thesis supervisor with whom I had a challenging relationship in my thesis acknowledgement?

How can i make my thesis acknowledgement uniquely personal.

Once you have decided whom to thank in your thesis acknowledgement, consider going beyond generic expressions of gratitude. Making your acknowledgements more personal and specific can make them truly special. Instead of simply thanking someone for their guidance and support, include examples that highlight the unique contributions of those individuals.

By providing concrete examples, your acknowledgements become more heartfelt and memorable, showing the genuine impact of each person you thank.

How formal should a thesis acknowledgement be?

Remember that your thesis is an academic work, and the acknowledgement should not detract from its academic merit. Focus on expressing gratitude to those who contributed to your academic journey in a professional and appropriate manner.

To what extent should I express personal sentiments in my thesis acknowledgement?

And of course make sure that the information you reveal about the people you thank, they are also comfortable with it. You should not, for instance, describe your messy breakup with a person and even worse naming the person by name. Instead, you can write something more neutral in a way that people who know you well still know what you mean. For instance, you could thank your friends for always being there for you during challenging times, which you are grateful for.

How should I structure my thesis acknowledgement?

The second approach involves structuring the acknowledgement based on the nature of relationships, ranging from formal to personal. Here, you begin by expressing thanks to your formal supervisors and professors who played a significant role in shaping your research, then move on to more informal yet professional mentors. Subsequently, you extend your gratitude to friends, family, and, if applicable, your partner or spouse.

How long should a thesis acknowledgement be?

For bachelor or master theses, the average length typically ranges from 100 to 250 words, equivalent to about half a page.

PhD thesis acknowledgements, on the other hand, tend to be longer, given the extended duration of PhD research. The average length for a PhD thesis acknowledgement ranges from 250 to 1000 words, or approximately half a page to 2 pages.

Where is the thesis acknowledgement located?

When formatting your document, it’s advisable to insert blank pages to maintain a proper layout in the printed version, especially when double-paged printing is used. To achieve this layout, page 1 is reserved for the title page, page 2 is often left empty, and page 3 contains the thesis acknowledgement. Additionally, page four is frequently left blank as well. This arrangement enhances the reading experience of the printed version and provides a more polished appearance to the document.

Where can I find examples of thesis acknowledgements?

Master academia, get new content delivered directly to your inbox, how to thrive in academia as an extrovert, how to end a professional email in a university setting, related articles, theoretical vs. conceptual frameworks: simple definitions and an overview of key differences, better thesis writing with the pomodoro® technique, how to deal with procrastination productively during thesis writing, 3 inspiring master’s thesis acknowledgement examples.

220 Phd Puns: A Hilarious Break from Academic Stress

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the pressures of academia? Don’t worry, we have just what you need to tickle your funny bone and give your brain a much-needed break. Introducing our collection of over 200 PhD puns that are guaranteed to put a smile on your face and lighten the load of your academic stress. From hilarious wordplay to clever jokes, we’ve got it all. So sit back, relax, and prepare to have your intellect amused. Whether you’re a student, researcher, or professor, these puns are sure to resonate with your scholarly side and provide a much-needed dose of laughter. Let’s dive into the world of PhD humor and relieve some of that academic tension.

The Top PhD Puns That Will Make You “Doctor” With Laughter (Editors Pick)

1. Why did the PhD student bring a ladder to class? To reach new heights in their studies! 2. What did one PhD student say to the other? “Let’s make this research project a deep dive!” 3. Why did the PhD student become a meteorologist? They wanted to specialize in the study of high degrees. 4. Why did the PhD student become a chef? They wanted to earn a degree in culinary arts. 5. What do you call a PhD student wandering around aimlessly? A “dissertation on wheels.” 6. How did the PhD student feel after successfully defending their thesis? Re-“search”-ed! 7. Why did the PhD student bring a compass to the library? They were looking for a “dissertation-north.” 8. How did the PhD student make their research more visually appealing? They added “graphs-ics.” 9. Why did the PhD student become a gardener? They wanted to specialize in “growth and plant data analysis.” 10. Why did the PhD student always carry a calculator ? To “sum” up the data quickly. 11. What’s a PhD student’s favorite type of pet? A “lab”rador. 12. What’s a PhD student’s favorite type of music? “Bach”-ground music for concentration. 13. What did the PhD student do when they couldn’t find relevant research articles? They went to the “library-hay.” 14. Why did the PhD student go to the therapist? They had a case of “data-aggravation.” 15. What’s a PhD student’s favorite type of drink? A specialty “brew”-sing. 16. How does a PhD student like their pizza? “Well-documented” with extra toppings. 17. Why did the PhD student always carry a notebook? To take “note-verifiable” observations. 18. What did the PhD student say to their friend who started a Master’s program? “Welcome to the ‘research’-tangle!” 19. Where do PhD students go for inspiration? The “cite-seum” of knowledge. 20. Why did the PhD student become a detective? They had a knack for “uncovering” new discoveries.

Punnily Polished PhD Puns

1. My PhD research on the effects of caffeine just keeps percolating. 2. I’m getting a PhD in geography because I’m really good at finding my way around. 3. My thesis on the history of stairs is really taking me step by step. 4. Studying cognitive psychology for my PhD is really a no-brainer. 5. I’m writing my dissertation on puns because it’s a play on words. 6. My PhD in chemistry is really fusing all my passions together. 7. I’m getting a PhD in music theory so I can finally hit all the right notes. 8. Researching marine biology for my PhD is definitely making some waves. 9. I’m getting a PhD in astronomy because the sky’s the limit. 10. My PhD in art history is really painting a bright future for me. 11. I’m studying linguistics for my PhD because I have a way with words. 12. My thesis on the psychology of humor is really a joke that keeps on giving. 13. I’m getting a PhD in genetics because I’m naturally inclined. 14. Studying environmental science for my PhD is really planting seeds for a better future. 15. I’m writing my dissertation on the history of clocks because time flies when you’re having fun. 16. My PhD in economics is really paying dividends. 17. I’m getting a PhD in biology because I like to branch out. 18. Studying literature for my PhD is really a novel idea. 19. I’m writing my dissertation on the effects of laughter because it’s contagious. 20. My PhD in physics is really attracting a lot of positive energy.

Pun-tastic PhD Q&A (Question-and-Answer Puns)

1. Why did the PhD student become a chef? Because they wanted to earn a degree in culinary science! 2. What did the PhD student say when they won a research grant? “I’ve finally cracked the code!” 3. How did the PhD student organize their research notes? They used pi-cards! 4. Why was the PhD student always calm in stressful situations? Because they had a doctorate in chill-ology! 5. What subject did the PhD student study when they were feeling sour? Lemon-strating! 6. Why did the PhD student always carry a pencil and paper? They were always ready for a docu-mentary! 7. How did the PhD student know they were getting close to a breakthrough? They could finally sniff out some thesis-scent! 8. What did the PhD student say when they found a solution to a complex problem? “Eureka, I’ve dis-covered it!” 9. How did the PhD student communicate? They were fluent in academi-languages! 10. Why did the PhD student prefer to work in the library? It had the best study peer-review! 11. How did the PhD student feel after successfully defending their thesis? They were on top of the world – doctorate Everest! 12. Why did the PhD student always carry a ruler? They were always measuring up to expectations! 13. How did the PhD student ensure their experiments were accurate? They used science-sational precision! 14. What did the PhD student say when they found a research gap? It was like finding a hole in one’s knowledge! 15. Why was the PhD student so good at multitasking? They had an advanced degree in juggling responsibilities! 16. What did the PhD student say when their research was published? “My name is in-print-tastic!” 17. How did the PhD student make mathematical calculations? They were the master of numeri-calculations! 18. Why did the PhD student love hiking? It was a great way to explore new heights of knowledge! 19. What did the PhD student say when they solved a complex equation? “Now that’s what I call math-terpiece!” 20. How did the PhD student navigate through academic challenges? They had a compass of knowledge and perseverance!

PhDoodles: The Witty World of PhD Puns

1. I’m pursuing a PhD in philosophy, or as I like to call it, a “Pondering How Deeply” degree. 2. Did you hear about the PhD candidate who believed that the key to good dental health lies in flossophy? 3. My friend’s PhD research in music theory is really striking a chord with the academic community. 4. I recently completed my PhD in geography, but let’s just say I really enjoyed exploring more than just maps. 5. As a PhD student studying astronomy, I’m always reaching for the stars… and for funding. 6. They say getting a PhD in psychology is a mind-boggling experience. I couldn’t agree more! 7. My friend’s PhD research in linguistics is all about the language of love. Talk about a bilingual heartthrob! 8. My PhD thesis in mathematics is quite the equation: long, complex, and can make your head spin if you’re not careful. 9. They told me my PhD in chemistry would require a lot of testing, and boy, were they right! There’s never a shortage of experiments to try. 10. I thought getting a PhD in archaeology would be a bit of a drag, but it turns out it’s quite the excavation! 11. I’m studying marine biology for my PhD, a field where every day feels like a tidal wave of excitement! 12. My friend’s PhD in literature is like a never-ending novel—full of analysis, suspense, and plot twists. 13. Sometimes I feel like a mad scientist in my PhD lab, dissecting data and brewing up some intriguing results. 14. I’m studying social work for my PhD, turning empathy into a science and kindness into a career. 15. Getting a PhD in physics is like diving into the unknown; you never know what mind-blowing discoveries you’ll make. 16. My friend’s PhD research in neuroscience requires a lot of brainpower… and maybe a few brain cells too! 17. I always have a “theory” that getting a PhD in economics will make me rich, but I think I might need to rethink that. 18. My PhD research in environmental science involves a lot of digging for the truth, quite literally! 19. My friend’s PhD in political science is all about finding the right balance between power and diplomacy. Quite the politician! 20. I’m studying animal behavior for my PhD, and boy, studying those cheeky monkeys can be quite an amusing experience!

PHD Puns: Doctorate Doodles

1. My friend’s dissertation on tree growth really branches out. 2. I gave up on my PhD in math because I couldn’t count on it. 3. The professor’s jokes during lectures are always a real scholarly “page-turner.” 4. My friend’s PhD research on aquatic life really made a splash in the scientific community. 5. He wrote his thesis on gravity but never really fell for it. 6. Getting a PhD in art history can really frame your career. 7. Studying psychology for a PhD can really mess with your mind. 8. Our friend’s PhD in linguistics is a real “wordsmith.” 9. My friend’s thesis on solar energy is truly enlightening. 10. The physicist’s groundbreaking research left everyone in a state of quantum “awe.” 11. My friend with a PhD in archeology is always digging up new information. 12. Applying for a PhD program in literature was a novel idea. 13. My friend’s PhD in astronomy literally reached for the stars. 14. Studying marine biology for a PhD can leave you feeling a little “crabby.” 15. After completing her PhD in history, she really made her mark on academia. 16. Our friend’s research on renewable energy really sparked a lot of interest. 17. Getting a PhD in psychology can really mess with your head. 18. My friend’s PhD in computer science really programmed him for success. 19. The biologist’s research on insects really caused a “buzz” in the scientific community. 20. My friend’s research on climate change is really a breath of fresh air.

Ph.D. Fun (Pun Juxtaposition)

1. He became a doctorate in philosophy, but could never figure out the meaning of life. 2. The physicist was a genius but struggled to tie his own shoelaces. 3. The mathematician loved numbers but couldn’t count on his fingers. 4. The archaeologist had a PhD but couldn’t find his own car keys. 5. He studied psychology, but couldn’t understand why people kept calling him crazy. 6. The biologist had a PhD but couldn’t keep a houseplant alive. 7. The linguist got a doctorate but couldn’t speak a second language fluently. 8. The historian was an expert on ancient civilizations but couldn’t remember their names. 9. The geologist studied rocks but couldn’t find his way around town. 10. He had a PhD in literature but struggled to write a simple email. 11. The computer scientist had a doctorate but couldn’t fix his own printer. 12. The economist was well-versed in financial markets but couldn’t balance his own checkbook. 13. The chemist had a PhD but always forgot to put on deodorant. 14. He studied physics but couldn’t figure out how to open a jar. 15. The art historian knew all about famous paintings but couldn’t draw a stick figure. 16. The sociologist had a PhD but rarely left the house to interact with people. 17. She specialized in genetics but couldn’t solve a simple crossword puzzle. 18. The political scientist studied governments but couldn’t navigate a voting booth. 19. The neurologist had a doctorate but couldn’t remember where he parked his car. 20. The engineer had a PhD but struggled to assemble basic Ikea furniture.

The Doctorate Discourse (Ph-Delightful Puns)

1. The Write Doctor 2. The Research ProFESSOR 3. The Thesis Whisperer 4. The Data Genie 5. The Lab Rat 6. The DigiTutor 7. The Scholarly Scribe 8. The Knowledge EnGEEk 9. The Intellectual ThinkTank 10. The Dissertation Dynamo 11. The Science Nerd 12. The Wise WordMaster 13. The Academic Guru 14. The Education Sage 15. The Intellectual Sage 16. The Study Sage 17. The Academic Artist 18. The Degree Wizard 19. The Brainy Bookworm 20. The Lecture Lover

“PhD Puns Flipping Words for Fun”

1. Quad of the Ph.D. – God of the Qh.D. 2. Philosophical Sh.D. – Sophie’s Physical Ph.D. 3. Thesis supervision – Sisisth supervision. 4. Academic research – Academic researth. 5. Peer-reviewed articles – Ear-peeved pureticles. 6. Doctoral dissertation – Doctoreal dissertation. 7. Ph.D. defense – D.PH defence. 8. Tutoring sessions – Suturing tosions. 9. Thesis committee – Seesis thommittee. 10. Research methodology – Methology researcody. 11. Doctoral program – Pectoral drogram. 12. Academic conferences – Comicademic conferemes. 13. Educational psychology – Psydicational educology. 14. Doctoral studies – St. Ductopathic dudies. 15. Graduate students – State growdent sutements. 16. Dissertation proposal – Positation dissero

PhD-larious Puns (Tom Swifties)

1. “I just defended my PhD thesis today,” Tom said confidently. 2. “Writing my dissertation was a real struggle,” Tom said painstakingly. 3. “I’m finally done with my PhD coursework,” Tom said academically. 4. “I need to edit my research paper,” Tom said studiously. 5. “I don’t know if I’m ready for my oral defense,” Tom said nervously. 6. “I have to present my findings at the conference,” Tom said confidently. 7. “I got a scholarship to pursue my PhD,” Tom said thankfully. 8. “I have so many deadlines to meet for my dissertation,” Tom said urgently. 9. “I need more references for my literature review,” Tom said extensively. 10. “I spend most of my days in the lab,” Tom said experimentally. 11. “My research methodology is quite unique,” Tom said innovatively. 12. “My advisor gave me some valuable feedback,” Tom said constructively. 13. “I’m presenting my research at an international symposium,” Tom said globally. 14. “I’m passionate about my field of study,” Tom said enthusiastically. 15. “I’m considering pursuing a PhD in a different discipline,” Tom said thoughtfully. 16. I landed a teaching assistantship to support my studies,” Tom said gratefully. 17. “My research topic is quite complex,” Tom said intellectually. 18. “I’m writing a book based on my PhD research,” Tom said creatively. 19. “I need to attend more academic conferences,” Tom said actively. 20. “I want to make a significant contribution to my field,” Tom said ambitiously.

Contradictory Doctorate Jokes (PhD Punny Paradoxes)

1. A PhD dropout, seeking higher education. 2. A PhD candidate, conducting a study on procrastination. 3. A PhD in relaxation therapy, always stressed out. 4. A PhD in time management, never enough hours in the day. 5. A PhD in decision-making, unable to choose what to have for breakfast. 6. A PhD in organization, constantly misplacing things. 7. A PhD in silence, always speaking their mind. 8. A PhD in financial planning, broke as a joke. 9. A PhD in linguistics, struggling to find the right words. 10. A PhD in patience, constantly running out of it. 11. A PhD in creativity, always experiencing writer’s block. 12. A PhD in motivation, feeling unmotivated. 13. A PhD in happiness, constantly fighting off the blues. 14. A PhD in multitasking, preferring to do one thing at a time. 15. A PhD in humility, always showing off their achievements. 16. A PhD in sleep studies, constantly awake. 17. A PhD in problem-solving, always encountering new challenges. 18. A PhD in comedy, never telling a good joke. 19. A PhD in time travel, always late for appointments. 20. A PhD in nutrition, indulging in unhealthy food choices.

Recursive Riddles (PhD Puns)

1. Did you hear about the mathematician who got his PhD in doughnuts? He made great pi rings! 2. My friend was awarded his PhD in dentistry. Now he’s always in a cavity! 3. My friend just completed his PhD in botany. Now he’s branching out! 4. My friend got his PhD in marine biology. Now he’s always making waves! 5. My friend received his PhD in music theory. Now he’s always hitting the right notes! 6. Did you hear about the chef who got his PhD in cooking? He’s really taking the spice to the next level! 7. My friend just got his PhD in astronomy, and now he’s over the moon! 8. Did you hear about the doctor who completed his PhD in medicine? He’s always prescribing a healthy dose of laughter! 9. My friend just obtained his PhD in psychology. Now he’s analyzing my dreams! 10. Did you hear about the scientist who earned his PhD in genetics? He’s always making new discoveries in his genes! 11. My friend received his PhD in history. Now he’s always turning the page! 12. Did you hear about the engineer who achieved his PhD in civil engineering? He’s always building a solid foundation! 13. My friend just completed his PhD in literature. Now he’s a real bookworm! 14. Did you hear about the mathematician who got his PhD in Geometry? He’s always getting his angles right! 15. My friend just earned his PhD in physics, and now he’s all charged up! 16. Did you hear about the artist who received his PhD in painting? He’s really making masterpieces brush by brush! 17. My friend just obtained his PhD in linguistics. Now he’s always speaking in tongues! 18. Did you hear about the economist who completed his PhD? He’s always calculating the value of a good pun! 19. My friend just earned his PhD in computer science. Now he’s coding his way to success! 20. Did you hear about the biologist who got his PhD? He’s always exploring new species and branching out!

“PhD’s Guide: Pundamentals for Academic Wits”

1. I got my PhD in philosophy, but it didn’t bring me any enlightenment. It just left me with a lot of student loans. 2. The best piece of advice I received during my PhD was to always take notes, because some day they might fetch a pretty penny at a research garage sale. 3. They say a PhD is just a fancy piece of paper, but I prefer to think of it as a passport to endless job applications. 4. A PhD is like a marathon – it’s an exhausting journey that goes on for years, and the finish line seems to always be just out of reach. 5. They say it takes a village to raise a child, but it takes a committee to approve a PhD dissertation. 6. My PhD was like a rollercoaster ride – filled with ups and downs, and at some point, I just wanted to scream. 7. They say a PhD is like being married to your research – you dedicate your life to it, and there’s no escape until the day you defend. 8. Getting a PhD is like climbing Mount Everest – it’s a long and treacherous journey, and you might lose a few brain cells along the way. 9. They say a PhD is just a piece of paper, but it’s the most expensive piece of paper I’ve ever owned. 10. My PhD was like a puzzle with missing pieces – I spent years trying to find them, and in the end, some are still lost. 11. They say a PhD is the ultimate achievement, but sometimes it feels like you’ve just unlocked a higher level of unemployment. 12. My PhD was like a never-ending maze – just when I thought I found the way out, I stumbled upon another dead end. 13. They say a PhD is like a badge of honor, but it’s more like a permanent scar on your psyche. 14. My PhD was like a complex math problem – it had multiple solutions, but my professor only accepted one. 15. They say a PhD is like a piece of art – it’s a masterpiece you create with your mind, but it’s not guaranteed to sell. 16. My PhD journey was like a never-ending dark tunnel – I kept moving forward, hoping to find the light at the end, but it was always just out of reach. 17. They say a PhD is like a marathon – you may hit a wall at some point, but the key is to keep pushing through. 18. My PhD was like a game of chess – I had to strategically plan each move, and if I made the wrong one, it could lead to checkmate. 19. They say a PhD is like a rite of passage – you endure trials and tribulations, and in the end, you come out stronger (and with an immeasurable amount of stress). 20. My PhD was like a never-ending puzzle – just when I thought I had all the pieces, I realized I was missing a whole section.

In conclusion, if you’ve been drowning in academic stress, these 200+ PhD puns are just the ticket to lighten the mood and tickle your funny bone! But don’t stop here, there are even more puns waiting to bring a smile to your face on our website. We hope you’ve had a great time with us and thank you for taking the time to visit!

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