The importance of reflection in the PhD process with Allan Kilner-Johnson

This week we are welcoming back the marvellous Allan Kilner-Johnson!  Allan is mindfulness meditation teacher alongside his work as a Senior Lecturer in English Literature and Associate Dean of Postgraduate Research at the University of Surrey.   Allan talks us through the importance of the process of review within his own academic life.  We talk about how academia can be very forward-focused and how a lot can be gained from taking stock of the previous work and experience.  Allan draws on Kolb’s experiential learning model to illustrate how review sits within a productive work cycle.   We talk about how it can be important to create moments of reflection for yourself within the PhD journey and how this time of year can be a particularly useful moment to look back at the past year in order to prepare yourself for the year ahead.   Allan and I are co-facilitating a review of the year for PhD researchers on 21st December.  This will be an online event supported by a bespoke workbook.  You can find out more here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/180825422707   You can connect to Allan here:   www.allankilnerjohnson.com https://www.instagram.com/allankilnerjohnson/ https://www.facebook.com/allankilnerjohnson https://twitter.com/thisisallan   Here are the links to the publications mentioned in the episode: Daily Greatness Journal: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Daily-Greatness-Journal-Minimalist-Productive/dp/B08VBH5MLZ/ref=sr_1_3?crid=XDES0HRB3LSW&keywords=the+daily+greatness+journal&qid=1638796471&sprefix=the+daily+greatness+%2Caps%2C174&sr=8-3 Legend Planner: https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=legend+planner&ref=nb_sb_noss_2 6 Minute Journal: https://www.amazon.co.uk/6-Minute-Success-Journal-Motivation-Mindfulness/dp/B08HZBTK2Q/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=6%2Bminute%2Bjournal&qid=1638796535&sr=8-6&th=1 Goodbye 2021, Hello 2022: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Goodbye-2021-Hello-2022-Design/dp/1911682156/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1LKKKO8Y4VDH8&keywords=hello+2022&qid=1638796617&sprefix=hello+2022%2Caps%2C166&sr=8-3  

Om Podcasten

This is the podcast for you if you are currently doing a PhD; are working with PhD students; or just living with someone who is on a PhD journey. The PhD Life Raft will focus on sharing insights and experiences around some common issues like anxiety, procrastination, precariousness, imposter syndrome, and work-life balance. We will talk to students, supervisors and experts in the field of wellbeing and mental health and share actionable tips and additional resources. Doing a PhD is tough. The PhD Life Raft is here to help you get through.