PhD Lounge
Late-night podcast where I speak with PhDs about their research subjects, their decision on studying it and its importance throughout academic life. A podcast of entertainment and education, whose aim is to approach students and graduates who want to go through their future careers inside or outside of academia with a PhD and for those who are on a moment of uncertainty in continuing their studies further, as if we are having a drink and talk about PhD culture at a lounge on a late-night summer.https://www.phdlounge.co.uk@phdlmfluismaia@phdlounge.co.ukThank you for tuning in, it's...
Solo Session: A World Cup 11 of Academic Footballers
Thank you for tuning in to PhD Lounge, you'll become a Doctor of Philosophy by immersing yourself into the latest topics of the PhD Universe
Students and Graduates!
A World Cup XI where everyone did their homework: PhDs, MBAs, and BAs across the pitch. In this World Cup 2026 final where Spain and Argentina are playing for the prestigious trophy that will add another star to their kits.
For this late-night solo session, I launch an 11-a-side squad, with some illustrious players on the bench and a manager to manage the 90 minutes with a 4...
Late-Night Talk: Louise O'Brien, PhD. What If Your Career Plan Needs A Plan B
Thank you for tuning in to PhD Lounge, you'll become a Doctor of Philosophy by immersing yourself into the latest topics of the PhD Universe
Students and Graduates!
Louise O’Brien is an Egyptologist and Ancient Historian specialising in Roman Egypt.
Her research interests focus on portraiture in the ancient world, cultural interactions, and hybrid visual and material culture. She completed her PhD at the University of Liverpool in 2025, and most recently has worked with the University of Tübingen Institute for Ancient and Near Eastern Studies on the project Die Bildostraka aus Ath...
Late-Night Talk: Jack Cooper, PhD. Megalodon, Myths, And Modern Shark Science
Thank you for tuning in to PhD Lounge, you'll become a Doctor of Philosophy by immersing yourself into the latest topics of the PhD Universe
Students and Graduates!
Jack Cooper, PhD, is a Paleobiologist from Swansea University, science write and public communicator.
His research expertise is about the Megalodon, a pre-historic shark that went extinct 3 Million years ago.
Jack Cooper has been featured in various documentaries about sharks, including a Ted Ed animated video, Channel 5’s Monsters of the Deep with Steve Backshall, and Giants by Off the Fence.
Ja...
Solo Session: The only Footballer to play a World Cup and hold a PhD
Thank you for tuning in to PhD Lounge, you'll become a Doctor of Philosophy by immersing yourself into the latest topics of the PhD Universe
Students and Graduates!
As the World Cup 2026 is underway, did you know there is only one professional footballer who played a World Cup and obtained a PhD?
I introduce to you Turid Knaak, PhD, a former German professional footballer who had 16 caps* for Germany's female national team and played the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in France, and top tier clubs such as Arsenal, Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Atlético Madrid a...
Late-Night Talk: Ersin Hussein, PhD. A PhD Can Change Your Life Without Promising A Job
Thank you for tuning in to PhD Lounge, you'll become a Doctor of Philosophy by immersing yourself into the latest topics of the PhD Universe
Students and Graduates!
Ersin Hussein, PhD, is an ancient historian whose work centres on the history and material culture of ancient Cyprus, with a particular emphasis on questions of identity and heritage. A consistent thread throughout her scholarship is the study of Cyprus as both a real and imagined space, shaped by historical narratives, artistic responses, and museological practices. Ersin’s interests also extend to the historiography and display of Cy...
Solo Session: Bridging Humanities and STEM PhDs
Thank you for tuning in to PhD Lounge, you'll become a Doctor of Philosophy by immersing yourself into the latest topics of the PhD Universe
Students and Graduates!
Among stereotypes, historical divisions and practical differences, Humanities and STEM deeply bridge gaps in the PhD universe! If you haven't thought about what similarities PhDs in Humanities and STEM bring to the table, then this late-night talk is for you. An honest talk of two long-standing and "bittersweet" research areas that share their knowledge between each other. We discuss the following:
Funding;Transferrable skilset;Interdisciplinary research...Solo Session: How your PhD Changes Each Year?
Thank you for tuning in to PhD Lounge, you'll become a Doctor of Philosophy by immersing yourself into the latest topics of the PhD Universe
Students and Graduates!
Your PhD can feel like one long stretch of work, but the truth is that each year demands a different kind of focus. In this late-night solo session, we explore how each year of your PhD changes.
1st year: First supervisor meetings, literature review, early chapter drafts, research methodologies, research training and probation.
2nd year: Case studies, reviews, recent publications add-ons, demanding supervision...
Solo Session: Networking in PhD: The Most Valuable Skill
Thank you for tuning in to PhD Lounge, you'll become a Doctor of Philosophy by immersing yourself into the latest topics of the PhD Universe
Students and Graduates!
Networking can feel like a mysterious academic superpower: everyone tells you to do it during your PhD, but nobody explains how to do it without feeling awkward, uncomfortable and time-consuming. In this late-night talk, we unpack why networking is one of the most valuable skills you can build throughout and after your PhD, through three PVP insights.
—> Purpose
—> Value
—> Patience
Thank...
Late-Night Talk: Nigel Pollard, PhD, and Stephen Harrison, PhD. The PhD After The PhD
Thank you for tuning in to PhD Lounge, you'll become a Doctor of Philosophy by immersing yourself into the latest topics of the PhD Universe
Students and Graduates!
Nigel Pollard, PhD, is an Ancient History Professor at Swansea University, author, fellow of the Society of Antiquaries and archaeologist specialised in the Roman and Near Eastern worlds. https://www.swansea.ac.uk/staff/n.d.pollard/#authored-books=is-expanded&journal-articles=is-expanded&publications=is-expanded
Stephen Harrison, PhD, is an ancient historian of ancient Greece, Macedonia and Persia (Achaemenid Empire) at Swansea University, You Tuber and author. His...
Solo Session: “Failure” in PhD Explained
Thank you for tuning in to PhD Lounge, you'll become a Doctor of Philosophy by immersing yourself into the latest topics of the PhD Universe
Students and Graduates!
The heavy feeling of “I’m failing” that hits when supervisor feedback is slow, sharp, or hard to predict, and how that can spiral into imposter syndrome, low achiever or fraudster thoughts. In this late-night talk, we reframe failure as a normal learning stage to strengthen your research and keep going.
—> Identify gaps to improve.
—> Reframe your approach to your PhD.
—> Normalise "F...
Late-Night Talk. Sean Sullivan. A Historian Explains How Words Like Nation Fueled The English Civil Wars
Thank you for tuning in to PhD Lounge, you'll become a Doctor of Philosophy by immersing yourself into the latest topics of the PhD Universe
Students and Graduates!
Sean Sullivan is a Ph.D candidate in History at Swansea University, specializing in early modern British History and the Stuart Monarchy. When procrastinating on doing more productive things, he can usually be found trawling used book stores to add to his collection of things he says he'll read eventually, and enjoying enthusiastic walks in the woods. He resides in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, U.S.A.<...
Late-Night Talk. Angelina Giovani Agha. Source: An App like Uber to Reach Archives Worldwide
Thank you for tuning in to PhD Lounge, you'll become a Doctor of Philosophy by immersing yourself into the latest topics of the PhD Universe
Students and Graduates!
Angelina Giovani Agha is an Art Historian, Provenance researcher, and entrepreneur.
She is the founder of Source, a peer to peer research app that connects students, researchers, collectors and librarians, to name some, to seek collections and archival material worldwide, which are not available to wider audiences. Source works with both researchers and providers, and you can earn money from your work while helping others.<...
Late-Night Talk: Angelo Robles. What Counts As Proof When Science Is Uncertain
Thank you for tuning in to PhD Lounge, you'll become a Doctor of Philosophy by immersing yourself into the latest topics of the PhD Universe
Students and Graduates!
Angelo Robles is a final-year PhD candidate from Swansea University, researching brain lipids from zebrafish to study Alzheimer's.
Follow Angelo's social media: Instagram: @gelo_ross_drew
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelo-ross-andrew-v-robles-689144144/
Thank you all for tuning in, it has been a pleasure!
Support the show
Website: https://www.phdlounge.co.uk
<...Solo Session: PhD and Society.
Thank you for tuning in to PhD Lounge, you'll become a Doctor of Philosophy by immersing yourself into the latest topics of the PhD Universe
Students and Graduates!
Feeling “behind in life” while you’re deep in a PhD can hit hard, especially when friends seem to be racing through the traditional milestones: a car, a wedding, children, a house, a job title that looks neat on paper. If this resonates with you, then this late-night solo session is for you!
I share with you the following:
—> Why undertaking a PhD is perso...
Late-Night Talk: Jessica Diehl, PhD. How To Turn Solid Research Into A Publishable Journal Paper.
Thank you for tuning in to PhD Lounge, you'll become a Doctor of Philosophy by immersing yourself into the latest topics of the PhD Universe
Students and Graduates!
Jessica Diehl, PhD, is a teacher, researcher writer, and social scientist. Jessica is the Founder of Publish It!, an online business platform where she helps scholars to publish their research strategically.
Jessica Diehl's Publish It! website: https://www.jessica-diehl.com/
YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/@jessicadiehl4219
Thank you all for tuning in, it has been a pleasure!
Support...
Solo Session: How your Hobbies can help progress your PhD?
Thank you for tuning in to PhD Lounge, you'll become a Doctor of Philosophy by immersing yourself into the latest topics of the PhD Universe
Students and Graduates!
Many PhD researchers treat hobbies as optional, a luxury to be postponed until after deadlines ease. The reality is the opposite: a modest, regular hobby can make the hard work of a doctorate more creative, sustainable, and social.
In this solo session, I show why and how hobbies are significant for the progression of your PhD journey. I share the following three reasons:
—> Ba...
Solo Session: The Renaissance Bro Mindset For PhD Success
Thank you for tuning in to PhD Lounge, you'll become a Doctor of Philosophy by immersing yourself into the latest topics of the PhD Universe
Students and Graduates!
What if the best model for a resilient, fulfilling PhD is older than the lab coat? Do you consider yourself as a Renaissance Scholar when you produce knowledge towards PhD success?
In this Late-Night Solo Session, I combine the thoughts of current trend of the Renaissance Man or Woman as a useful frame to your PhD milestones through the following trifecta effect:
—> Curiosity ab...
Solo Session: Engage Wider Audiences with your PhD
Thank you for tuning in to PhD Lounge, you'll become a Doctor of Philosophy by immersing yourself into the latest topics of the PhD Universe
Students and Graduates!
PhD thesis don't leave the academic circle and are shared towards specialised audiences. But what if they can be presented to other type of audiences? In this late-night talk, I describe how you can share your research when following the code of plain and simple language, storytelling and strong hooks. Here's the breakdown:
. Competitions like the 3 MT and Oak Ridge Laboratory: Your Research in a...
Solo Session: Do Employers care about your PhD?
Thank you for tuning in to PhD Lounge, you'll become a Doctor of Philosophy by immersing yourself into the latest topics of the PhD Universe
Students and Graduates!
Ever been told, “I don’t care that you have a PhD,” and felt the wind leave your sails? I take that line apart and rebuild it into a roadmap for landing industry roles where your research mindset becomes a competitive advantage. Across this candid session, I unpack:
• Decoding the industry value system and outcomes
• Mapping thesis work to product thinking
• Addressing assumptions about lack o...
Late-Night Talk: Sam Webster, PhD. Anatomy, Gaming, and what a PhD Really Teaches.
Thank you for tuning in to PhD Lounge, you'll become a Doctor of Philosophy by immersing yourself into the latest topics of the PhD Universe
Students and Graduates!
Samuel Webster, PhD is a lecturer in Anatomy at Swansea University, a YouTuber and podcaster. Sam shares content about anatomy beyond his usual lectures, building an online classroom, and why doing hard things matters more than titles whether in short or long formats.
Follow Sam Webster's work on his official website, https://samwebster.net/, where you can find his YouTube channel under his name, his...
Late-Night Talk: Jade Goodwin, Miriam Beyers, PhD and Nathan John. Two Entrepreneurs and a Careers Advisor having a Roundtable
Thank you for tuning in to PhD Lounge, you'll become a Doctor of Philosophy by immersing yourself into the latest topics of the PhD Universe
Students and graduates!
Miriam Beyers is a double PhD in Environmental Science from the Universities of Copenhagen and Ghent, and is the founder and CEO of WonTime, offering tailored workshops about time management and productivity exercises around wellbeing and mindfulness.
Nathan John is the founder and CEO of Rewise, an Award-winning business which creates educational projects by combining impactful social outreach with core customer values.
Jade...
Solo Session: The PhD doesn't make you smarter!
Thank you for tuning in to PhD Lounge, you'll become a Doctor of Philosophy by immersing yourself into the latest topics of the PhD Universe
Students and Graduates!
A PhD doesn’t make you smarter.” Bold claim—or honest truth?
The idea that a PhD proves superior intelligence and show how real expertise comes from focus, method, and clear communication. In this solo session, rarity fuels the myth, where limits sit, and how to talk about research without distance or jargon. Here's the breakdown:
Why the “PhDs are smarter” myth sticks
What na...
Solo Session: The Rule of Three in PhD
Thank you for tuning in to PhD Lounge, you'll become a Doctor of Philosophy by immersing yourself into the latest topics of the PhD Universe
A doctorate can feel like juggling knives in a windstorm—until you simplify your approach. We break down a practical rule of three that keeps your research clear, effective, and memorable: strategy, management, and communication. Rather than drowning in to‑dos, you’ll learn how to design a flexible plan, turn that plan into steady weekly progress, and share your work so real people understand why it matters.
We start with s...
Late-Night Talk: Ewelina Kurtys, PhD. FinalSpark and Biocomputing
Thank you for tuning in to PhD Lounge, you'll become a Doctor of Philosophy by immersing yourself into the latest topics of the PhD Universe
Students and Graduates!
Ewelina Kurtys is a PhD in neuroscience, business developer and technology advisor at FinalSpark. With more than 20 peer-reviewed papers, Ewelina's work at FinalSpark is about market-planning, strategy and investment in working computers through human living neurons.
Personal website: ewelinakurtys.com
Ewelina's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ewelinakurtys/
FinalSpark: https://finalspark.com/
Thank you all f...
Late-Night Talk: Nikita Bedov. Rethinking Food Chains: What Happens When Predator Eats Predator?
Thank you for tuning in to PhD Lounge, you'll become a Doctor of Philosophy by immersing yourself into the latest topics of the PhD Universe
Students and Graduates!
Nikita is a PhD candidate in Biology at Swansea University who submitted his PhD on the behaviour and ecology of predator interactions, and working at two field sites in sub-Saharan Africa to quantify the famous fight between mongooses and snakes. He also has his YouTube channel, Diary of the Adventurer and the podcast Baffling Biology.
Nikita explores how mongooses and snakes flip the food chain...
Solo Session: What does it mean to be a PhD in the 21st Century?
Thank you for tuning in to PhD Lounge, you'll become a Doctor of Philosophy by immersing yourself into the latest topics of the PhD Universe
In this solo session, I share a candid reflection on passing the viva, then map the four pillars of a modern PhD: funding, mental health, career strategy, and networking.
Practical stories, honest stats, and a nudge to build options beyond the thesis Viva highlights and next steps. Funding sources, tradeoffs, and timing. Mental health risks, supports, and pacing. Academic vs industry routes and optionality. Entrepreneurial mindset for uncertain markets. Networking...
Late-Night Talk: Daria Levina, PhD. Two PhDs and Beyond: Making Education Accessible for Everyone, securing competitive funding against all odds, and more...
Thank you for tuning in to PhD Lounge, you'll become a Doctor of Philosophy by immersing yourself into the latest topics of the PhD Universe
Daria Levina, PhD, shares her journey from winning law competitions in Russia to completing two PhDs, securing a Harvard Law degree through crowdfunding, and building a business helping others access competitive education funding.
• From law Olympiads to academia: How winning national competitions opened doors to university without entrance exams
• Crowdfunding $92,000 for Harvard by building relationships and sharing her mission for accessible education
• Insights from serving on PhD admissions commit...
Late-Night Talk: Elena Hoffer, PhD. Life Beyond Academia: Transitioning From PhD to Industry, and more
Thank you for tuning in to PhD Lounge, you'll become a Doctor of Philosophy by immersing yourself into the latest topics of the PhD Universe
The transition from academia to industry remains one of the most challenging journeys for PhDs, yet it's a path that half of all doctoral graduates will take. Elena Hoffer, PhD and founder of https://www.alma.me/ shares her journey from academia to entrepreneurship and explains how she helps PhDs and PostDocs transitioning to industry careers after reaching over 100,000 LinkedIn followers.
• PhDs often struggle to translate their academic skills into la...
Late-Night Talk: Ilana Horwitz, PhD. The Entrepreneurial Scholar. How to Think Like an Entrepreneur in your PhD and more
Thank you for tuning in to PhD Lounge, you'll become a Doctor of Philosophy by immersing yourself into the latest topics of the PhD Universe
Students and Graduates!
Ilana Horwitz, PhD, is an assistant lecturer of Jewish Studies and Sociology at Tulane University, New Orleans. Ilana presents her released book The Entrepreneurial Scholar. A New Mindset for Success in Academia and Beyond, along other future projects.
Buy Ilana's The Entrepreneurial Scholar on Princeton Univ Press and get 20% OFF by typing IMH20: https://press.princeton.edu/books/paperback/9780691240893/the-entrepreneurial-scholar
Ilana's website: https...
Late-Night Talk: Bella Winton, Alec Dawson, Ella Harford: Barbarian Rule Galicia, Christian Greek Hagiography, Female Sexual Deviancy and Adultery in the Georgian Era, PhD Marathon and more
Thank you for tuning in to PhD Lounge, you'll become a Doctor of Philosophy by immersing yourself into the latest topics of the PhD Universe
Link to the call for paper conference at Swansea University: https://listserv.liv.ac.uk/cgi-bin/wa?A2=CLASSICISTS;d26a3f17.2501
Submit your abstracts to either one of these emails: a.e.a.dawson@swansea.ac.uk & i.a.g.winton@swansea.ac.uk
Students and Graduates!
The first late-night talk with three PhDs of 2025 is here!
Alec Dawson is a PhD Candidate...
Solo Session: PhD Iceberg Explained: The Overwhelming downside of PhD productivity tools and hacks
Thank you for tuning in to PhD Lounge, you'll become a Doctor of Philosophy by immersing yourself into the latest topics of the PhD Universe
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Late-Night Interview: Eilian Richmond, PhD. 3MT, Earthbound, Literary Inconsistencies in the Bible, Balance between PhD and social life and more...
Thank you for tuning in to PhD Lounge, you'll become a Doctor of Philosophy by immersing yourself into the latest topics of the PhD Universe
Students and Graduates,
Eilian Richmond is a PhD graduate from Swansea University, who wrote his dissertation about the literary contradictions and hyper linkage within the Bible using his upcoming novel Earthbound as a reference.
Earthbound is a satire whom Eilian in his comical and satirical tones, challenges the biblical scenes by mixing his doctoral arguments with his satirical scenes based on biblical episodes across his novel.
...
Solo Session: PhD Iceberg Explained: Writer's Block is a Nonsense!
Thank you for tuning in to PhD Lounge, you'll become a Doctor of Philosophy by immersing yourself into the latest topics of the PhD Universe
Students and Graduates!
In this new late-night solo talk of the PhD Iceberg Explained Series, I speak about the issue of Writer's Block, a common feature that affects PhDs, overall.
But is Writer's Block really a cognitive and intellectual challenge to all of us or is it just NONSENSE?!
Stay tuned for this solo session as I share three impactful insights along with some solutions that...
Solo Session: PhD Iceberg Explained: The Psychology of Funded and Self-Funded in PhD
Thank you for tuning in to PhD Lounge, you'll become a Doctor of Philosophy by immersing yourself into the latest topics of the PhD Universe
Students and Graduates!
This new session of the PhD Iceberg Series explores four points about PhD students with research funding and self-funding their research. Precisely, it explores the psychology and mindset of a funded and self-funded PhD!
Learn Japanese and get 40% Off Forever Premium or Premium PLUS by typing the code EPIC2024. Only 300 spots and the sale starts from the 9th until the 20th of September - https...
Late-Night Interview: Michael Gerharz, PhD: Irresistible Communication, the Aha and Point in no Return effects in public speaking, power of communication in your PhD and more...
Thank you for tuning in to PhD Lounge, you'll become a Doctor of Philosophy by immersing yourself into the latest topics of the PhD Universe
Students and graduates!
Dr Michael Gerharz, a German PhD in Computer Science, talks about the importance of effective communication and what makes a great public communicator.
Effective communication is a skill every PhD student must master, yet many struggle to make their complex research understandable to a lay audience. Dr Michael tackles this challenge head-on, drawing from personal experiences of explaining intricate research to family members without academic...
Late-Night Interview: Natalie Jarvis: Business Management in Diversity and Volunteering in the UK, Disability Pride, PhD and motherhood and more...
Thank you for tuning in to PhD Lounge, you'll become a Doctor of Philosophy by immersing yourself into the latest topics of the PhD Universe
Students and Graduates!
Natalie Jarvis is a PhD candidate from Swansea University, researching the UK workforce within the volunteering and disability sectors.
Thank you all for tuning in, it has been a pleasure!
To know more about her research, check out her LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-louise-jarvis-/
I was a...
Late-Night Interview: Carys Hughes, Henry Bohun, Maria Lord, Troy Wilkinson: Persian, Hellenistic and Roman Empires, Alexander the Great and more...
Thank you for tuning in to PhD Lounge, you'll become a Doctor of Philosophy by immersing yourself into the latest topics of the PhD Universe
Students and Graduates!
PhD Lounge is back with another late-night interview! Carys Hughes is a PhD student from Swansea University, researching soft power within the Achaemenid and Seleucid royal courts. Maria Lord, Henry Bohun and Troy Wilkinson are three PhD candidates from University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) researching about sensorial archaeology in the Hellenistic world, Ptolemaic Egypt, and the Roman campaigns during the reign of emperor Trajan, respectively.<...
Solo Session: PhD Iceberg Explained: Social Media Enculturation: Selling Yourself as a PhD Student!
Thank you for tuning in to PhD Lounge, you'll become a Doctor of Philosophy by immersing yourself into the latest topics of the PhD Universe
Students and Graduates!
This session of the PhD Iceberg Explained Series is about the use of social media and in what ways you can sell yourself as a PhD student/candidate. Enculturation is a characteristic of social media which I describe some of its aspects that are popular in PhD education. Those being #s, university branding, entrepreneurship, blogs, vlogs, and many more to stand out yourself within the PhD social...
Late-Night Interview: Allen Roda and Lauren Saunders, PhDs: PhDone, Dissertation Editor, PhD stories and more...
Thank you for tuning in to PhD Lounge, you'll become a Doctor of Philosophy by immersing yourself into the latest topics of the PhD Universe
Students and Graduates!
Allen Roda and Lauren Saunders, PhDs, are the authors of PhDone, A Professional Dissertation Editor’s Guide to Writing Your Doctoral Thesis and Earning Your PhD. PhDone is a resourceful book for anyone who is applying for a PhD and who is already a PhD candidate. Book release date: 8th of August.
Allen Roda is the founder and CEO of Dissertation Editor, while Lauren Saunders is...
Late-Night Interview: Gabriela Radulescu: SETI development during the Soviet Union, USSR vs USA influence in SETI, What is PhD for you and more…
Thank you for tuning in to PhD Lounge, you'll become a Doctor of Philosophy by immersing yourself into the latest topics of the PhD Universe
Students and Graduates!
The second anniversary of the PhD Lounge proudly presents another late-night interview with a new PhD student guest!
Gabriela Radulescu is a third year PhD student in History and Anthropology of Science at the Technical University in Berlin, whose research is about the history of SETI, Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, through radio wave astronomy strategies during the Soviet Union. Gabriela's passion for her research led...
