Benji Turnbull
@benjiturnbull.bsky.social
68 followers 96 following 180 posts
Science & Nature and Education, The MCU and Dramadies, Prowrestling and Hard Rock/Heavy Metal. www.bencturnbull.wordpress.com
Posts Media Videos Starter Packs
Pinned
benjiturnbull.bsky.social
Hello @bsky.app world.

I'm a former PhD student who was failed after resubmission.

I demonstrably met my resubmission criteria. My PI seemed to think I was on track.

I can't appeal based on judgement so I'm left with 10.5Y amounting to a lesser (1Y) degree.

#phdlife #phdchat #phdvoice
benjiturnbull.bsky.social
#Evolution #Photosynthesis Q:
Why isn't green light used by the primary photosystems?

#phdlife #phdchat #phdvoice
benjiturnbull.bsky.social
Rest in piece #JaneGoodall.

Modern legend of natural sciences.

Thank you for treating your animals with so much respect.
benjiturnbull.bsky.social
First day of UG teaching this year and am nervous af.

Always am to meet my first years.

Plus, am feeling a lil overwhelmed by my current workload.

Hope y'all are doing well!

#phdlife #phdchat #phdvoice
benjiturnbull.bsky.social
Not really an acceptable response or system, is it?

How can people possibly better present themselves if they don't learn what their shortcomings were?

What an awful culture we have.

#phdlife #phdchat #phdvoice
benjiturnbull.bsky.social
#PGDE Week4:

I've got 2 weeks of tasks to do, I'm quite overwhelmed.

Not sure how much is absolutely essential either.

Feeling a little lost.

#phdlife #phdchat #phdvoice
benjiturnbull.bsky.social
#PGDE week3:
Between a stag do and now falling ill, am already behind the workload.

Feeling overwhelmed but it all, tbh.

#phdlife #phdchat #phdvoice
benjiturnbull.bsky.social
Imagine how embarrassing it must be to outline to someone how to get a #PhD and then fail them when they do that.

💀

#phdlife #phdchat #phdvoice
benjiturnbull.bsky.social
#ProudOfMe moment:

In L'Pool at a stag, last time I was here was a conference, I eagerly built bonds for a postdoc.

Last year, being back would've been triggering. After my #PhD being failed and postdoc ls now unavailable.

But am really enjoying myself. #Growth

#phdlife #phdchat #phdvoice
benjiturnbull.bsky.social
Week1 of the #PGDE has been good.

Biggest revelation is how little attention I have now. Reading articles and taking notes is taking painfully long.

Hoping the weekly tasks will help train that.

#phdlife #phdchat #phdvoice
benjiturnbull.bsky.social
I started a #PGDE which is a teaching training degree. In 2 years I'll be a high school Biology teacher.

Teaching was always the aim. But having the option of doing so in HE taken away from me sucks.

Ultimately, I'm now more nervous because what if it's not for me?

#phdlife #phdchat #phdvoice
benjiturnbull.bsky.social
Potentially unpopular opinion:

If you're hiring but don't have the capacity to give feedback to your unsuccessful applicants, you shouldn't be hiring.

You could at least offer feedback by request...

#phdlife #phdchat #phdvoice
benjiturnbull.bsky.social
My former department, whom did not set me up sufficiently to be awarded the #PhD I worked for, also awarded someone one after only 20 months.

A PhD is meant to literally represent 3 years of work...

#phdlife #phdchat #phdvoice
benjiturnbull.bsky.social
Job app is interviewing Monday, guess I didn't get it.

Prob means zero chance of feedback too, aye?

Folks can't communicate.

#phdlife #phdchat #phdvoice
benjiturnbull.bsky.social
Should PIs be investigated if their #PhD students fail!

Or at least be hella embarrassed!

#phdlife #phdchat #phdvoice
benjiturnbull.bsky.social
Just applied for a one year teaching fellow position.

Think I absolutely nailed it but tryna not get hoeps too high since I'm sure they'll have 10s, if not 100s, of applicants.

#phdlife #phdchat #phdvoice
benjiturnbull.bsky.social
I really want my PhD back.

#phdlife #phdchat #phdvoice
benjiturnbull.bsky.social
Does anyone else get really nervous doing things they:

1) Have done before, and
2) Actively enjoy?

#phdlife #phdchat #phdvoice
benjiturnbull.bsky.social
How does someone not get too excited about a near perfect job opportunity as to not end up deflated if they don't get it?

Afaf...

#phdlife #phdchat #phdvoice
benjiturnbull.bsky.social
Nah. Was just birds and learning. Not much in there which is useful outside of academia. But hey :)
benjiturnbull.bsky.social
Unlikely. The feedback I got from resubmission amounted to "not good enough". So, they downgraded it to an MPhil.

I could try to get some papers from the chapters but ultimately seems a bit pointless yano. Since I won't be staying in academia.
benjiturnbull.bsky.social
Unexpected ongoing trauma of having my #PhD failed:

My friend told me they start there's soon, and I had to force myself to be happy for them because my entire gut feeling was dread/sadness.

All this for a book nobody will read.

#phdlife #phdchat #phdvoice
benjiturnbull.bsky.social
Imagine having to reject your ideal job offer because two people failed you after you did the revisions they outlined 💀

#StillAngry

#phdlife #phdchat #phdvoice
benjiturnbull.bsky.social
Imagine being told what to do to obtain a #PhD, doing that, being failed and downgraded, and then nobody in your department thinking to stand up for you or do anything about it.

#phdlife #phdchat #phdvoice
benjiturnbull.bsky.social
A friend said this after reading:
"I’m honestly impressed at how positive this was- you seem to have a very healthy approach to your emotions and also pivoted pretty quickly and you’re still going for things you enjoy which is impressive"

One of the nicest things I've heard in a long while.
benjiturnbull.bsky.social
One year ago, I learned that my #PhD was downgraded to an #MPhil after doing the major corrections I was given.

Today, I've reflected on this and where I am mentally. Would you like to read about it and share it with your friends?

#PhDChat #PhDVoice #PhDLife
Failed for a PhD – Self-Reflections 1 Year On
Brief recap: In 2022 I submitted my thesis and had my viva which resulted in major corrections. I did these over two years and in 2024 resubmitted, according to the recommended guidelines of my exa…
bencturnbull.wordpress.com
benjiturnbull.bsky.social
One year ago, I learned that my #PhD was downgraded to an #MPhil after doing the major corrections I was given.

Today, I've reflected on this and where I am mentally. Would you like to read about it and share it with your friends?

#PhDChat #PhDVoice #PhDLife
Failed for a PhD – Self-Reflections 1 Year On
Brief recap: In 2022 I submitted my thesis and had my viva which resulted in major corrections. I did these over two years and in 2024 resubmitted, according to the recommended guidelines of my exa…
bencturnbull.wordpress.com