The Ph.D. program, also known as the Doctor of Philosophy program, is an advanced academic program that develops the skills learned at the undergraduate or master’s level. A rigorous course spanning a couple of years in a wide range of disciplines such as English, Mathematics, Business, Sports, and Film. However, the program seems to have gained a mysterious reputation, leading to ambiguity for those seeking entrance into this new phase of academics. We’ve spoken to Remy, a Ph.D. student in drama didactics to tell us more:
What is your Ph.D. and its focus?
– My D. project focuses on drama in high schools in Norway. I have a performative approach to the new curriculums for drama education in Norwegian high schools. I’m also curious about how I could rethink and change drama education in drama in high school to form it into drama didactics and how to teach planning and performing drama didactics.
Why did you choose this path?
– I always wanted to do a D. since I wanted to reach for a career in academics and research, and to do research, both practical and performative, to be a part of the developing fields in arts, drama, and music, but my specialty is in drama. My curiosity and passion for developing the field gave me a lot in many ways and as a Ph.D. you have a lot of freedom and opportunities to dive into something that gives you something substantial and to dig into your biggest interests.
Were there any bright spots in your Ph.D. career?
– Highlights include a book project in art didactics, but I also had an opportunity for a paper presentation in Oslo right before my PhD started. There, I met a lot of colleagues from Scandinavia so it was a great experience meeting these people, networking, and receiving feedback on my project.
– Also, I am a part of an entirely new research group at UiA, working with music, dance, and drama research groups. The research group focuses on those subjects in high schools and we develop those subjects as a new research field. I feel like I’m a part of a good company, which I find to be inspiring.
How is your current work/life balance in the Ph.D. program?
– I have a lot more freedom now so work-life balance for me is entangled in some way. I found it hard to find a balance instead of accepting tha There’s a sense of being in this movement where you struggle to always find balance, that life is not always in balance, and that you have to look ahead and accept that and be grateful for the small things and opportunities you get from study programs. We have a lot of freedom and to grasp that, we can grow in many ways, so I think accepting that it’s not always balanced and that it is okay to have some imbalance is key.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
– In 5 years, I have completed my D., so I’ll think about it then. But I really want to pursue academia, be part of developing drama education, and also think about a transdisciplinary way of working so I’d love to stay in academics. Five years back I didn’t know where I would be now. I knew I wanted to have a PhD, but I wouldn’t have guessed that it’d happen this soon. So, I don’t know what could happen in 5 years with all the twists in the project, but I’d like to be in academics and develop what I do in my Ph.D.
How would you evaluate your Ph.D. process?
– I wish I said no more often but I think that I’d be wrong if the choices that I made so far were right. Still, now I’m at the stage where I have to start saying no. I have to scale a bit more down, so maybe next year I’d have to broaden it up so I think I wouldn’t say that.
– I also don’t want to know what’s ahead. Maybe some more formalities would be nice to know more about and how to think ahead on how to register yourself in Kristin on how to pursue the career beyond that strategy in thinking like designing the research process for yourself and career thinking.
What advice would you give to those who want to pursue a Ph.D?
– You have to be interested and have a real urge to do it. It is also a great opportunity to be true to yourself, how you can make an impact, and how things impact you in the process. Stay true to yourself and listen to what is right for you. Listen to what you need in the process and be open to it.
