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FEASS Doctoral Workshops 2013-2014
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Purposes:
Bilkent University is one of the most globally known and successful universities in Turkey. In order to enhance this position, a crucial policy is to increase the achievements and continuing professional development of its doctoral-level students. In an increasingly globalised and competitive job environment, where Bilkent University’s doctoral students face both national and international competition, ‘FEASS Doctoral Workshops’ are designed to prepare students for local and global academia and non-academic paths. Additionally, the workshops will provide additional guidance and support to help PhD students complete their degrees in a timely fashion. These sessions will also flourish exchange between graduate students of FEASS departments and faculty members with the objective of preparation for post-doctoral professional life.
Convenor:
Dr. Ali Bilgic (abilgic@bilkent.edu.tr)
Structure:
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FEASS doctoral workshops will be organised monthly. In each workshop, two members of faculty, preferably from different departments, will give 40-min seminar (20min for each), which will be followed by discussion with the students. Each speaker is expected to share her experiences and give recommendations, which can guide doctoral students in the relevant workshop.
The workshops will take place on the last Thursday of each month between 12.30 and 13.30, A-130.
Objectives:
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–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â to increase assistance from the faculty to the PhD students
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â to guide students in coping with the challenges of doctoral level education, and in completing their dissertation in a timely fashion
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â to offer students in preparation for post-doctoral professional life
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â to facilitate exchange between members of faculty and doctoral students, and therefore, diffusion of experiences
Annual Schedule
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Why do a PhD? (expectations from PhD students, difficulties on the way)
31.10.2013
Speakers: Nedim Karakayalı (POLS) / Clemens Hoffmann (IR)
This workshop is particularly recommended for new doctoral students who have yet to take their comprehensive exam. It will include checklists for doing creative and original research, tips for being more effective in time-management, and information on communicating research and getting connected with the academic community.
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Qualitative research: How to prepare and how to organise and analyse the qualitative data:
28.11.2013
Speaker: Can Mutlu (IR)
This workshop gives practical advice from PhDs and research staff who have done field or archival research recently, and considers strategies for obtaining and organising material and avoiding potential pitfalls. This workshop is likely to be of interest to PhDs in all years who are planning or engaged in fieldwork or archival research.
–       Quantitative research: How to prepare and how to organise and analyse the quantitative data
19.12.2013
Speaker: Nil Åžatana (IR)
This workshop offers practical advice from research staff who has done quantitative research, and considers strategies for obtaining and organising material and avoiding potential pitfalls. This workshop is likely to be of interest to PhDs in all years.
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Getting the most out of conferences and workshops
06.02.2014
Speakers:  Refet Gürkaynak (ECON)/ Dimitris Tsarouhas (IR)
The focus in this session will be on all aspects of conference-going, from choosing conferences and submitting abstracts to presenting papers and using conferences for networking. Conference organising will also be discussed. This workshop is likely to be of interest to all PhD students.
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Top tips for managing your supervisor and surviving your PhD
27.02.2014
Speakers: Ken Weisbrode (HIST) / Selver Åžahin (IR)
This workshop is recommended for all PhD students who have passed their comprehensive exam. The first half hour will involve some very informal presentations by a few full-time staff who have recently completed their own PhDs (within 5 years). During the final half-hour students will have the chance to discuss any issues they wish to raise on this topic without staff present.
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Publishing your thesis as journal articles or a book
27.03.2014
Speakers: Ali Bilgiç (IR) / Zeki Sarıgil (POLS)
This workshop gives practical advice on how journals/publishing companies work, choosing a journal/publishing company, preparing a manuscript for submission, revising and resubmitting a manuscript, and what gets published (what editors and reviewers look for). FEASS staff who have published their PhD as a book and articles will share their experiences with students and will also advise on matters of ethics in publishing.
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Building towards your career: job applications and polishing your professional profile
24.04.2014
Speakers: Nida Shoughry (IR)/TBA
This workshop, which will include a careers advisor and a FEASS staff member with experience of recruitment, will discuss with students how to write academic CVs and cover letters, with sample documents provided. A discussion on adding academic and non-academic value to the students’ professional profile will follow.
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Applying for research grants: Research funding, research grant applications and postdocs
15.05.2014
Speakers: Selin Sayek Böke (ECON)/ Eugenia Kermeli (HIST)
For many, the ideal scenario after the PhD is a postdoctoral position. This workshop examines the pros and cons of postdocs and how to get them, and also looks at research funding more broadly and how to go about research grant applications. This workshop is likely to be of interest to all PhD students.
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â The thesis endgame: Preparing for and handling the PhD defense:
29.05.2014
Speakers: Alev Çınar (POLS) / Athina Gkouti (IR)
This workshop, which is particularly recommended for students who have passed their comprehensive exam, will emphasize practical advice and will be led by staff with experience of examining PhDs and by those who have recently experienced their own defence. It will offer information on submission procedures, preparation for the exam, and will highlight the ‘top ten examiners’ questions’.
