<![CDATA[I’d love to connect with other mature PhD students to share experiences.]]>I’d love to connect with other mature PhD students to share experiences. I’m 41 and just getting started researching citizen science in river health monitoring and restoration.

]]>https://forum.fedi.dk/topic/c214da5a-5d49-49cd-99f1-a756b1e4a6ea/i-d-love-to-connect-with-other-mature-phd-students-to-share-experiences.RSS for NodeSun, 11 Oct 2026 23:27:34 GMTSat, 03 Oct 2026 20:46:24 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to I’d love to connect with other mature PhD students to share experiences. on Sun, 04 Oct 2026 12:38:51 GMT]]>@Kimberley @KorinnaAllhoff
Hi hi! I am 37 years old and started my PhD 2 years ago. It's on ecological evolutionary modelling dealing with biotic interactions and how they affect diversification! Glad to see that I'm not the exception of starting "late" 🙂

]]>https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://mathstodon.xyz/users/nakdim/statuses/117382678556543899https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://mathstodon.xyz/users/nakdim/statuses/117382678556543899Sun, 04 Oct 2026 12:38:51 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I’d love to connect with other mature PhD students to share experiences. on Sun, 04 Oct 2026 10:08:36 GMT]]>@Kimberley Well I had to submit a detailed and well defined plan etc. But within those limits my supervisors give me a lot of freedom, and I don't have any other obligations, like teaching, at all

]]>https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://masto.ai/users/lukask/statuses/117382087769910992https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://masto.ai/users/lukask/statuses/117382087769910992Sun, 04 Oct 2026 10:08:36 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I’d love to connect with other mature PhD students to share experiences. on Sun, 04 Oct 2026 09:50:00 GMT]]>@Research_FTW @thesismum I haven’t, thanks for sharing, I’ll check it out

]]>https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://ecoevo.social/users/Kimberley/statuses/117382014609529212https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://ecoevo.social/users/Kimberley/statuses/117382014609529212Sun, 04 Oct 2026 09:50:00 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I’d love to connect with other mature PhD students to share experiences. on Sun, 04 Oct 2026 09:48:46 GMT]]>@lukask that sounds really interesting. Does being self-funded give you a lot of freedom in your research? My project is funded with a partner organisation

]]>https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://ecoevo.social/users/Kimberley/statuses/117382009757175607https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://ecoevo.social/users/Kimberley/statuses/117382009757175607Sun, 04 Oct 2026 09:48:46 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I’d love to connect with other mature PhD students to share experiences. on Sun, 04 Oct 2026 08:45:08 GMT]]>@Kimberley @thesismum
Have you seen Post grad research hub?
https://www.pgresearchhub.com/
It's an online group for post grads with co-working groups and social events. It's a really friendly and helpful community.

]]>https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://sciences.social/users/Research_FTW/statuses/117381759511046502https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://sciences.social/users/Research_FTW/statuses/117381759511046502Sun, 04 Oct 2026 08:45:08 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I’d love to connect with other mature PhD students to share experiences. on Sun, 04 Oct 2026 08:21:26 GMT]]>@Kimberley I'm 71 and retired, 2 years ago I started as self funded external PhD candidate at the University of Amsterdam (The Netherlands), where I also graduated in sociology and worked at the library in IT and data. My research is about something completely different: early modern urban history, specifically the repurposing of urban convents and monasteries during the reformation and Dutch revolt in the 16th century. I work in splendid isolation, which suits me fine 😀

]]>https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://masto.ai/users/lukask/statuses/117381666312472830https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://masto.ai/users/lukask/statuses/117381666312472830Sun, 04 Oct 2026 08:21:26 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I’d love to connect with other mature PhD students to share experiences. on Sun, 04 Oct 2026 08:04:35 GMT]]>@Kimberley

I'm on a rollercoaster PhD ride.

I just left one due to their technological infrastructure, and I've just joined a new one with a questionable communication setup. If I don't succeed in actually reaching the point of taking a class, then I give up.

My only choices are fully remote.

]]>https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://lingo.lol/ap/users/115645018233576898/statuses/117381600098343682https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://lingo.lol/ap/users/115645018233576898/statuses/117381600098343682Sun, 04 Oct 2026 08:04:35 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I’d love to connect with other mature PhD students to share experiences. on Sun, 04 Oct 2026 07:43:18 GMT]]>@teacher_rick That's understandable. Good luck with whatever path you choose

]]>https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://ecoevo.social/users/Kimberley/statuses/117381516380580358https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://ecoevo.social/users/Kimberley/statuses/117381516380580358Sun, 04 Oct 2026 07:43:18 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I’d love to connect with other mature PhD students to share experiences. on Sun, 04 Oct 2026 07:42:22 GMT]]>@adamsteer Yeah that sucks, I'm sorry that happened to you. I don't know if I'll continue in academia after this yet, at this stage of life I don't want to be chasing precarious post-docs and having to uproot my life often so I'll most likely be looking elsewhere unless there's opportunities to stay on here

]]>https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://ecoevo.social/users/Kimberley/statuses/117381512722163144https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://ecoevo.social/users/Kimberley/statuses/117381512722163144Sun, 04 Oct 2026 07:42:22 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I’d love to connect with other mature PhD students to share experiences. on Sun, 04 Oct 2026 07:41:05 GMT]]>@Kimberley I guess so, but I'm not sure about the subject anymore. 5 years later, a lot has changed.

]]>https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://mastodon.nl/users/teacher_rick/statuses/117381507671660333https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://mastodon.nl/users/teacher_rick/statuses/117381507671660333Sun, 04 Oct 2026 07:41:05 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I’d love to connect with other mature PhD students to share experiences. on Sun, 04 Oct 2026 07:39:56 GMT]]>@teacher_rick Is there any possibility of resuming with your previous supervisor at Wageningen?

]]>https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://ecoevo.social/users/Kimberley/statuses/117381503154863696https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://ecoevo.social/users/Kimberley/statuses/117381503154863696Sun, 04 Oct 2026 07:39:56 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I’d love to connect with other mature PhD students to share experiences. on Sun, 04 Oct 2026 07:38:46 GMT]]>@Kimberley doing the work was amazing. Like you, the previous life exoerience played a big role. Having people I'd worked with a long time before PhDing in the same group pull the rug as soon as I finished - and the void since - less so.

I hope your experience is very different!

]]>https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://mapstodon.space/users/adamsteer/statuses/117381498579042199https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://mapstodon.space/users/adamsteer/statuses/117381498579042199Sun, 04 Oct 2026 07:38:46 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I’d love to connect with other mature PhD students to share experiences. on Sun, 04 Oct 2026 07:37:19 GMT]]>@ml I really hope you find the right fit for you

]]>https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://ecoevo.social/users/Kimberley/statuses/117381492870041257https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://ecoevo.social/users/Kimberley/statuses/117381492870041257Sun, 04 Oct 2026 07:37:19 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I’d love to connect with other mature PhD students to share experiences. on Sun, 04 Oct 2026 07:35:37 GMT]]>@adamsteer Sounds like you didn't have the greatest experience? Ageism is definitely a big concern. Thankfully my non-academic life experience was a big part of why I was offered the position so I'm hoping it won't count against me but obviously not all institutes and academics I interact with will have the same perspective as where I am now.

]]>https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://ecoevo.social/users/Kimberley/statuses/117381486205058240https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://ecoevo.social/users/Kimberley/statuses/117381486205058240Sun, 04 Oct 2026 07:35:37 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I’d love to connect with other mature PhD students to share experiences. on Sun, 04 Oct 2026 07:33:23 GMT]]>@kmmich Hello! How exciting to find somebody also researching citizen science! My supervisor would love your research, she's the lead for school STEM outreach here. I love the SciComm element of it and that's a key part of my project

]]>https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://ecoevo.social/users/Kimberley/statuses/117381477422748821https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://ecoevo.social/users/Kimberley/statuses/117381477422748821Sun, 04 Oct 2026 07:33:23 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I’d love to connect with other mature PhD students to share experiences. on Sun, 04 Oct 2026 07:32:07 GMT]]>@Kimberley I was in the procedure of starting a PhD at Wageningen University (The Netherlands) when COVID happened. Had to switch focus (work) and had some health issues.
I'm looking for possibilities to pick it up again. In the field of VET (Vocational Education & Training). Don't know if it will come to it again, but it is still on my mind.
I'm 58 now.

]]>https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://mastodon.nl/users/teacher_rick/statuses/117381472442930046https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://mastodon.nl/users/teacher_rick/statuses/117381472442930046Sun, 04 Oct 2026 07:32:07 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I’d love to connect with other mature PhD students to share experiences. on Sun, 04 Oct 2026 07:29:46 GMT]]>@garland Thank you
@pseudonymsupreme 👋

]]>https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://ecoevo.social/users/Kimberley/statuses/117381463155171211https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://ecoevo.social/users/Kimberley/statuses/117381463155171211Sun, 04 Oct 2026 07:29:46 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I’d love to connect with other mature PhD students to share experiences. on Sun, 04 Oct 2026 07:28:49 GMT]]>@withinity I'd love to hear your perspective 🙂

]]>https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://ecoevo.social/users/Kimberley/statuses/117381459416779463https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://ecoevo.social/users/Kimberley/statuses/117381459416779463Sun, 04 Oct 2026 07:28:49 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I’d love to connect with other mature PhD students to share experiences. on Sun, 04 Oct 2026 07:26:36 GMT]]>@wanderinghermit Fair enough, a PhD thesis is a huge piece of work so I don't blame you for skipping it and focussing on more enjoyable elements!

]]>https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://ecoevo.social/users/Kimberley/statuses/117381450742665040https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://ecoevo.social/users/Kimberley/statuses/117381450742665040Sun, 04 Oct 2026 07:26:36 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I’d love to connect with other mature PhD students to share experiences. on Sun, 04 Oct 2026 07:25:12 GMT]]>@thesismum I miss the old Twitter for things like that. I'm hoping to find my own coven. The candidates in my cohort are all great and we get along well but they are not far off 20 years younger and in a different phase of life so it'd be great to meet others approaching this at a similar phase. I'm going to a mature students social in a few weeks so hopefully I'll find some new friends there 🙂

]]>https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://ecoevo.social/users/Kimberley/statuses/117381445205297921https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://ecoevo.social/users/Kimberley/statuses/117381445205297921Sun, 04 Oct 2026 07:25:12 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I’d love to connect with other mature PhD students to share experiences. on Sun, 04 Oct 2026 07:21:21 GMT]]>@rubinjoni 👋 How have you found the experience? Have you got much longer to go?

]]>https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://ecoevo.social/users/Kimberley/statuses/117381430113037080https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://ecoevo.social/users/Kimberley/statuses/117381430113037080Sun, 04 Oct 2026 07:21:21 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I’d love to connect with other mature PhD students to share experiences. on Sun, 04 Oct 2026 05:56:38 GMT]]>@Kimberley I'm 44, hoping to finish my PhD in engineering, environmental protection technology. I'm studying the effects of ionizing radiation on alkali activated binders.

]]>https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://mastodon.social/users/rubinjoni/statuses/117381096943271124https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://mastodon.social/users/rubinjoni/statuses/117381096943271124Sun, 04 Oct 2026 05:56:38 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I’d love to connect with other mature PhD students to share experiences. on Sun, 04 Oct 2026 05:06:00 GMT]]>@Kimberley Good luck with building your own village and with your research. 💜

]]>https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://norden.social/users/thesismum/statuses/117380897855344950https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://norden.social/users/thesismum/statuses/117380897855344950Sun, 04 Oct 2026 05:06:00 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I’d love to connect with other mature PhD students to share experiences. on Sun, 04 Oct 2026 05:04:03 GMT]]>@Kimberley Great move! When I did my PhD, I found two lovely PhD students from Scotland and Australia on formerly-a-great-place-Twitter, who were also (back then) somewhere 30+, with kids and at some point simultaneously pregnant with our youngest. We tweeted our shared experiences with the hashtag . They were my coven and the village one needs to write a PhD thesis. We are still friends. This year, we met physically for the first time.

]]>https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://norden.social/users/thesismum/statuses/117380890180964399https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://norden.social/users/thesismum/statuses/117380890180964399Sun, 04 Oct 2026 05:04:03 GMT