PhD Candidacy: A Tutorial on Overcoming Challenges and Achieving Success

Undertaking a PhD is a demanding yet rewarding experience. PhD candidates develop a deep understanding of their research topic and acquire a wide range of skills, including (i) formulating research questions; (ii) conducting research ethically and rigorously; (iii) communicating research findings effectively to both academic and non-academic audiences alike; (iv) forging a profile as an independent researcher; and (v) developing a teaching portfolio. PhD candidates inevitably experience challenges during their candidature. These challenges can be overcome by applying various techniques to adapt and learn from these experiences. This tutorial introduces strategies to help them advance in the PhD process. It is presented by two early career researchers in information retrieval, who have the unique perspective of being close enough to their time as PhD candidates to remember the highs and lows of PhD life yet far enough removed from the process to reflect on their experiences and provide insights. The tutorial will empower attendees to share, review, and refine productivity methods for their PhD journey. It provides a non-judgemental platform for open discussions led by the presenters.