Research
You will find a complete range of our peer-reviewed monographs, multi-authored and edited works, including original scholarly research across the social sciences and aligned disciplines. We publish long and short form research and you can browse the Bristol University Press and Policy Press archive.
Policy Press also publishes policy reviews and polemic work which aim to challenge policy and practice in certain fields. These books have a practitioner in mind and are practical, accessible in style, as well as being academically sound and referenced.
Books: Research
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This book offers a candid and unflinching account of the PhD experience in a sector marked by precarity, insecurity and intense competition. Throughout the volume, current and former PhD students reflect on their varied journeys, addressing challenges such as balancing study with family life, navigating ethical dilemmas and managing mental health.
The collection brings together a diverse range of voices from the PhD community, sharing personal thoughts, lived experiences and "in-the-moment" accounts of life as a doctoral candidate within the context of higher education.
By demystifying the PhD journey and offering valuable insights, this book serves as essential reading for both PhD students and their supervisors.
Chapter 2 describes the author’s experiences writing a personal statement, PhD proposal, and applying for funded scholarship in an increasingly competitive industry. They provide encouragement and advice on such important processes at the start of the PhD. They also discuss the importance of self-reflection alongside their identity as a gay man both within the context of their PhD but also within the wider HE environment.
In Chapter 16, the author reflects on 15 years in academia, revealing the challenges faced in a market-driven higher education system. After completing his PhD and navigating exploitative early roles, he encountered the harsh realities of academic capitalism, where the pursuit of funding, prestigious publications, and high student satisfaction overshadowed meaningful research and genuine teaching. The author relays how this environment has often left academics disillusioned, burned out, and disconnected from their original passions. Despite the pressures and setbacks, the author shares a personal journey of resilience, emphasising the importance of staying true to one’s initial motivations and values. His story underscores that while academic capitalism can be disheartening, focusing on genuine research impact and personal commitment can reignite purpose and fulfilment.
Chapter 5 explores the often-overlooked theme of moving abroad to commence doctoral study and tells a story of perseverance and hope in the pursuit of a PhD in criminology in the UK. The author narrates how his motivation stemmed from a desire for a research environment that fostered critical thinking and practical skills, which they found lacking in the Indian education system. Their journey, marked by academic culture challenges and numerous rejections, shaped their resolve. This chapter provides intimate insights into their motivations, struggles, and ultimate triumphs, offering inspiration for others in their pursuit of their own academic dreams.
Chapter 12 offers a reflection on the ethical tensions within the author’s PhD, discussing themes such as access, positionality, the navigation of space, and the relationship between researcher and participants. Through poignant examples, the author illustrates the emotional weight of her work and the necessity of reflexivity in handling ethically important moments. Yet, amid these challenges, this chapter also carries a message of hope: the deep understanding and empathy that she developed, which highlights the potential for research not just for study but also to contribute to the social world it seeks to understand.
This book attempts to capture personal depictions and candid portrayals of the PhD journey and, importantly, share the experiences of what life as a PhD student is ‘actually’ like within the contemporary landscape of higher education. Its aim is to capture a multifaceted tapestry of individual experiences that speak to current and future PhD students and the wider PhD community, such as those who currently and, in the future, will support such individuals as PhD supervisors.
This multifaceted collection is designed not only for those immersed in criminology or sociology but for anyone navigating the complexities of academic life within the vast landscape of the social sciences.
In Chapter 14, the author explores the final stages of a PhD journey, focusing on the Viva Voce examination and the challenges of navigating the academic job market. They reflect on their experience, emphasising the importance of thorough preparation for the Viva and offering practical advice for handling its rigorous demands. The author also addresses the often-precarious nature of early academic careers, stressing the need to build a robust professional network and strategically approach opportunities. Despite the challenges, the author encourages readers to stay resilient, believe in their expertise, and view the Viva as a stepping stone towards a rewarding academic career. This is particularly valuable for those navigating academia and those considering a transition out of it. Themes of resilience, adaptability, and leveraging personal strengths are universally applicable. Whether pursuing a career in industry, entrepreneurship, or other sectors, the insights shared may assist you in identifying your own unique value as you navigate the challenges of any new environment, both within and outside of academia.
Chapter 9 addresses mental health and neurodiversity in the PhD experience, tracing their personal journey through institutional and cultural barriers. The author discusses how she navigated her complex educational and emotional landscape, shaped by her childhood in Birmingham’s inner city and her struggles with undiagnosed dyslexia. The author’s story illustrates the importance of self-advocacy, the power of support networks, and the need for accessible mental health resources for those navigating similar challenges.
Chapter 17 explores the dynamic of PhD supervision from both student and supervisor perspectives. Traditionally, PhD candidates are seen as apprentices to expert supervisors, but this chapter highlights the collaborative nature of the process and the relationship. The authors discuss how PhD supervision often involves managing imperfections on both sides, with supervisors and candidates learning from each other. This chapter is unique in its narrative in that it ebbs and flows between reflections of both supervisor and supervisee, cumulating in a reciprocal interplay between the two.
They address common challenges, such as the impact of financial pressures on academia and the evolving expectations of PhD research.
