Uncertainty lurks in all areas of the PhD journey such as interacting with supervisors, establishing yourself as a researcher, and, most importantly, finishing the PhD. I will share how I have navigated obstacles in my PhD journey and reflect on the current challenges that I face in my 3rd year of studies.

2. Uncertainty
Certainty
Theoretical framework
Supervisors
Data collection
Analysis
Writing
Career
Self

3. Ambiguity (in)tolerance

6. research
from Old French re- (expressing
intensive force) + cerchier ‘to
search’

7. Don’t do it alone

8. Finding
Mentors
Recent graduates
Research groups
and networks
Academic/
Professional

9. Virtual mentors

11. relationships
identities that change with time

12. What kind of
supervisor
Do you
have/want?
Rock star (on tour)
Dictator
Editor
Auditor
Coach

13. PhD Student
Identities
Apprentice
Business client
Struggling student
Professional/academic
Captain of my ship

14. transformations
novice to expert / insecure to
confident / outsider to insider

16. results
of research, of efforts, of life itself

17. Before I reach the end
I wonder if I can

18. Ambiguity (in)tolerance

19. Balancing act - what will come crashing down?

20. Life
Interrupting PhD
PhD
Interrupting life

21. “To what will you look for help if you
will not look to that which is
stronger than yourself?”
C.S. Lewis, English professor and Christian apologist