Post Script Magazine Vol 3

Lancaster University Postgraduate Magazine

Post Script Issue 3, Autumn 2011

In This Issue:

Survival guide to self-funding

Cycling in Lancaster

How to work well with a supervisor

... and other features

PostScriptPublishing Information

PostScript MagazineA Graduate College PublicationLancaster University Lancaster LA2 0PF United KingdomPhone: +44 01524 592600Email: [email protected]

Editor-in-Chief Amanda Potts [PhD 2nd Year, Linguistics]

Managing Editors Sarah Finnegan [PhD 2nd Year, Psychology]

Esti Mardiani-Euers [PhD 4th Year, Engineering] Samantha Newsham [PhD 4th Year, Mathematics & Statistics]

Pia E.M. Nottebaum [PhD 3rd Year, Politics, Philosophy & Religion]

Maryam Piracha [MA, Creative Writing] Amie Ramanath [PhD 3rd Year, Management Learning & Leadership]

Layout Editors Sara Gancho [PhD 2nd Year, LICA]

Hazal Gümüş [PhD 2nd Year, LICA]

Contributing Photographers Sara Gancho

page 24

Hazal Gümüşpages front cover, 4, back cover

www.gettyimages.com pages 18

www.gleefulreader.wordpress.compage 26

www.shutterstock.com pages 8 and 20

CONTENTS

01 Editorial

02 Attending the European Conference of Educational Research ECER 2010

05 Profile

06 Six ways to get more involved in your department

08 A ‘gastronomical’ guide to Lancaster: where to eat and drink

12 A Survival guide to funding your self-funded degree

14 Route introduction: Guide to cycling around Lancaster 18 My top 5…Books

19 Creativity Corner

20 Year end reflections: Graduating from the MA in Creative Writing programme

22 My top 5…Albums

24 ‘Plays nicely with others’: A guide to working well with a supervisor

26 Cool Water expanded review

28 Graduate College day trips

30 Call for submissions

Post Script Magazine, Established 2010All views and opinions expressed in Post Script

are solely the authors’ and not those of Lancaster University

1Issue 3| Autumn2011

Letter from the EditorWe’re very pleased to present you—our fair reader—with the third and latest issue of PostScript Magazine, the publication for Lancaster University postgraduate students. Whether you came upon this resource as a new student surfing the paperwork sea that is intro week or as a returning student climbing the mountains of half-citations and almost-but-not-quite-there analyses that is anything after intro week, hello! Welcome (back) to Lancaster!

It was less than one short year ago that I began my PhD at Lancaster. Despite my initial ‘new kid’ trepidation, I

have been reluctantly charmed by our sleepy corner of the English northwest. But as the undergraduate colleges at Lancaster are famously tight-knit, the postgraduate community is quilted from a multitude of continents, generations, and lifestyles, which makes open communication between students more difficult—but ultimately more interesting. Despite being among the most devoted and busiest of the student groups on campus, postgrads are also some of the most experienced. In the midst of constant studying, writing, and teaching, we often forget to interact (or sleep). PostScript was created as a forum for postgraduate students to chronicle their experiences, vent their frustrations, share their achievements, and above all, offer advice to their peers.

PostScript is a magazine for you, the Lancaster postgraduate, and we have selected the articles within in hopes that you will find them interesting, illuminating, or at least entertaining. Inside you will find some tried-and-true tips for working with your supervisor and standing out in your department, lists of great places to eat, drink, and bike in Lancaster, selections of postgraduates’ favourite albums and books, and even more. The editorial team is an exceedingly clever and modest group of postgraduates who try to represent their experiences as well as possible, while acknowledging that we are only a small section of Lancaster’s large and vibrant postgrad community. As such, we welcome any suggestions or contributions at [email protected].

Whether this is your first or fourth year at Lancaster, I feel confident in saying that for all of us, the best is yet to come! Have a wonderful Michaelmas, and remember to look out for PostScript’s next issue, coming this winter. PS

Amanda Potts2nd Year PhD, Linguistics

2 PostScript | LUGRAD Magazine

A

POSTGRADUATE TIPS

The clouds are gathering for postgraduates when it comes to

funding… many fear that soon fees for postgraduate study will go up alongside that of undergraduate courses. I mean, who can afford fees of £9,000 for one year, unless they are on a funded programme, have corporate sponsorship or have an Uncle Charley who has just popped his clogs and left an inheritance? Competition for funded positions has always been fierce, but with money tight as of late, many departments and companies are cutting back, and these may soon be even harder to come by. The challenge of postgraduate study is even more pronounced for those who (failing to win funding or corporate sponsorship) must self-fund their Masters or PhD, with many withdrawing from programmes or dropping out midway through due to economic pressures.

As a self-confessed ‘academic survivor and scrounger’ who has funded a number of postgraduate degrees over the last few years, I want to offer some advice to self-funded postgrads who may be struggling with their degrees, feeling that all is against them: Please don’t give up, as there are ways and means to succeed. You can fund yourself and enjoy various benefits (housing or likewise) by doing some research. For instance…

Funder FinderOne of the first places to look for

financial support is Funder Finder, which can be accessed through the Careers Service or Student Union. This software has proven

essential for many students undertaking all types of postgraduate study and has been successful in securing extra funds to assist students over the years. The site is basically a search engine for charities and sponsors that take an interest in various fields or areas of study. Some are more prone to funding people from certain areas; a few focus upon women students or concentrate on specific areas such as sciences or the arts. Simply put in some demographic data and up pops a whole list of possibilities. I know one student who got £7,000 from a charity to pay for her MA, and a few others who got hundreds here and there, which in combination assisted hugely. The website is given is below, but the software does not seem to be available at the moment, so it may be best to visit the Careers Service of Student Union and ask to be shown. Funder Finder: http://www.lancs.ac.uk/sbs/funding/charitiesandtrusts.htm

Clear Links SupportIf Funder Finder doesn’t give much joy,

then you might think about getting work assisting undergraduate students with learning differences or disabilities. The company Clear Links Support operates on the Lancaster University campus as well as a number of other institutions in the region. They are always looking for staff to assist in the areas of note-taking, general academic assistance, and mentorship, plus many other categories. The money is not too bad, and in combination with other part-time positions can pay for fees. Personally, having worked with them for over five years I feel

Survival Guide to Funding your

Self-Funded Degree

3Issue 3 | Autumn 2011

POSTGRADUATE TIPS

they are a great firm to be associated with, and the opportunities are quite diverse.

On the subject of academic duties or teaching, PhD students should certainly pursue seminar tutoring in their departments (or even in associated departments) as another way forward. If you are not ready to commit to a full term-time responsibility, a more seasonal approach would be to investigate when exams take place within the department and sign up for the supervision team. With a good number of students with learning differences needing special arrangements, a large number of people on hand to help are always required, but do apply early. Investigating openings for assistants or helpers at neighbouring facilities such as Lancaster and Morecambe College might also be a way forward, especially if you have language skills. Clearlinks: http://www.clear-links.co.uk/

LUSU JobShopThe student union job shop is a useful pit

stop, as is the jobs section on the University website. Aside from the usual menial jobs being advertised, there are opportunities to work as an aide in the library, or as a part-time assistant in LU administration or even specific departments. With the University obviously looking to save money, it does appear that the trend is going towards employing more students to do work rather than recruiting from the outside community. In the same vein, enquiring with both the catering and the cleaning services on campus may prove fruitful and can also provide flexible hours to suit your study schedule.

EtceteraFinally, some students seek out more

bizarre and eccentric methods of self-

funding. Have you ever thought of life-modelling for the art department? These jobs are few, but you can contribute to the careers of Lancaster’s budding artists, and the work can pay quite well. This kind of job is also ideal if (like me) you are unable to do heavy work. Aside from our own art department, you can look further afield in the greater locality.

Another road to think about is possibly that of being an extra for a film or TV commercial, or even modelling for the shop catalogues. I have known quite a few students who have supplemented their income from sources like these, with some opportunities popping up in the most unlikely places. The nearest place to here seems to be at Warrington, but doing a fresh search may uncover other opportunities. EKA modelling and casting agency: http://www.eka-agency.co.uk/

A note of caution: If you are going to work, then

remember that, as a student, you are entitled to join a union at the student rate and pay very little in the process, but still get full cover. If teaching on campus, then joining a teaching union may be a good bet, and could prove useful if you find that your employer is demanding too much out of you. Similarly, if working in the catering and service industry, then take out a basic student membership from one of the appropriate unions. Considering the amount of shortcuts that employers are now taking to save money, vigilantly protecting one’s own job while protecting one’s own health is vital. PS

- DAVEY CURNOW-GARLAND 2ND YEAR MPHIL,

APPLIED SOCIAL SCIENCES


Now Lancaster is home to countless watering-holes and cafés. As you walk

around the city, you might be tempted to peek into one or the other, or you’ll be waltzed through innumerable ones during a pub crawl in the first few weeks of term! But maybe, you’d just rather have a guide to steer you in the right direction.

What you’ll find here is a list of pubs and restaurants dotted around the city, some apt for raucous nights, others more suited to a tête-a-tête.

So, let’s begin with breakfast – I know that a lot of you are happy enough to wolf down a sandwich, muesli, eggs, banana, etc for breakfast before heading to your office. But once in a while, it’s fun to wake up, knowing that someone will be preparing a delectable meal for you while you peruse the paper/read an academic journal/novel choose as you see fit!).

It’s that time again – new term, new people and the beginning of long, dark days. So what better way to brighten your mood than with some drinks, good food and friends? And I reckon you’ll feel a lot happier when I tell you that brandishing your purple card will prompt a 10% discount at most places in Lancaster. Right? Check

the small print before you order!

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[ ]Lancaster

G U I D E T O

‘Gastronomical’A


Now my personal favourite is Quite Simply Food (13, Moor Lane) – they do some fabulous food in the evenings (and cater regularly at University) but what I like best is their breakfast. Yummy smoothies, calming teas or a cafetière; eggs in myriad forms; English breakfast, muffins, croissants, sandwiches, and cake – take your pick. The staff is very child-friendly too; children are offered, on arrival, warm milk or chocolate milk, and not tutted at, if they wander around.

Sun Café, on Sun Street, does a breakfast menu too, complete with pancakes and maple syrup. However, they are closed on Sunday, which in my opinion, deducts some points on the customer-satisfaction barometer! But that’s just me…

For something a little more ‘upmarket’, try the Penny Street Bridge Hotel. It’s wonderful for family breakfasts – you can opt for a continental or cooked breakfast option, or order à la carte (this is also a good choice for drinks and lunches/dinners).

Coffee/Tea/Hot Chocolate and Sweet Delights: In the city centre, you can find the typical haunts – Starbucks, Costa Coffee and Café Nero.

However, if you fancy something a little more ‘local’, head to Casa Rastelli in St.Nicholas’ Arcade. Their new café is inviting, comfortable and if you sit at the tables outside, you can enjoy the music wafting through the speakers in the arcade. There is an enticing range of cakes and ice-creams, and if you feel hungry, there are salads, pizzas, pastas and paninis. Perfect as a stop between shopping, but be warned, the average age of customers is in the ‘50s’ range, but hey, if all you want is a relaxing time, just smile and wander in.

Also in the arcade is Jennie’s CookiesCafé – the cookies are to die for!

There are muffins, sundaes, milkshakes, ice-creams and a huge pizza cookie that you can get a message piped onto, for just £12.99! However, tThere are only 2 tables so be prepared for a take-away.

If you really want to impress a girl (and how many girls would say no to a scrummy, iced cupcake?), surprise her with a visit to the Yummy Cupcake Company in Slip Inn Lane. They also have a stall on Wednesdays and Saturdays in the outdoor market, but if the weather is miserable and grey and wet, as it often is, then I suggest grabbing a table in the tiny café and ordering some hot drinks to enjoy with the cupcakes that come in scrumptious flavours, from the conventional choco chip and vanilla, to the more decadent cookies and cream, mars or snicker cakes, raspberries and cream, banoffee, lemon and orange. You will be spoiled for choice, with the array of cupcakes, brownies and cookies. There are newspapers, and internet, if you want to while away an afternoon.

Then there is the Music Room Café, on Sun Street. It is a treat for coffee lovers, set in a beautiful building dating back to 1730. There are tables in the courtyard, with plump cushions; most enjoyable on a dry day! The building is currently owned by the Landmark Trust and you can rent the flat above the café for a decadent weekend, complete with Baroque interiors and a four posted bed.

For vegetarians, gluten-free and dairy-free individuals, there is Bohemian Wraps on Market Street that offers an assortment of items; wraps, pancakes, paninis and salads. They also sell jams, biscuits, spices, pasta, etc.

And my favourite – the Old Bell Café (Bashful Alley) that has recently undergone a refurbishment last summer. Personally, I

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]


preferred the atmosphere before; warm, intimate and cosy. However, the drinks, sandwiches and pastries are still fantastic; I suggest trying a different cake each time you visit (they are simply divine!). Beware though, on Saturdays, it is difficult to get a table.

Finally, when the market stalls are in full glory on Wednesdays and Saturdays, you can try the Veggie Food, Sanah’s Indian delights, freshly made crepes, or olives and bread.

Cocktails, a good ol’ beer and some food? A mere walk through Lancaster will

clearly exemplify the fact that pubs are everywhere! An uncritical need for beer could have you enter any one of those…but if you’re looking for ambience, then here are some suggestions.

The Waterwitch, situated on the canal, near the infirmary (and conveniently, a bus stop) offers a variety of cask ales, beers, wines and spirits. It has won several pub awards, and is a pleasure to visit; be it sunny weather when you can sit near the canal watching the ducks drift by, or stormy rains, when the warmth inside will envelop you. There is a good selection of food too, which, I’ve been told, is beautifully presented and tastes fabulous, too!

The Borough, at Dalton Square, (which I mentioned in the last article on Lancaster) offers locally sourced produce and a wide array of draught bitters, along with the usual wines and spirits. They are listed in the Michelin Guide for pubs (2009, 2010) and the Good Beer Guide. So why not order a pint or two and hang out with your friends? Good food, good ambience and good beer! They have student offers, such as ‘Buy 1 get 1 free’ and are also willing to sponsor sports teams or societies and give special discounts on food and drinks. And did I mention that you can settle into one of the squishy sofas with a brandy and

simply relax? And if your parents visit or you want to do something different, try the afternoon tea for £6.50 or add champagne (£12) for an extravagant afternoon.

For a distinctive ambience, the Merchants, housed in an old wine cellar (near Lancaster Castle) is unbeatable; good

food, alcohol and ambience. And nearby is the Robert Gillows that offers live music events all year round; whenever I’ve been there, I considerably lower the average age (which is in the mid- forties) but if you enjoy jazz and blues, why should age stop you?!!

For a more fashionable venue, head across the street from the Borough to the Dalton Rooms. Food is served everyday from 12-9pm and there is of course, a wide choice of drinks and food. What I’d recommend, is snagging a table (or perching at the bar) and ordering a cocktail – you’ll be spoiled for choice, with classic Bellinis and Mai-tai’s jostling for your attention with Mojitos and Long Island iced teas. Hmmm, bliss! There are a plethora of events; comedy nights, jazz, zumba, karaoke, etc and offers on food and drinks too, that change from day to day.

If you want to lounge with your mates (or your date) on comfy sofas under soft lights, wooden beams overhead and polished floors underfoot, then head to 1725, on Market Street in the city centre. There are several offers in this tapas restaurant; All you can eat Paella for £8.95, a litre of Sangria on Thursdays when you order 5 tapas, discounts with your Vue

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If you really want to impress a girl (and how many girls would say no to a scrummy, iced cupcake?), surprise her with a visit to the Yummy Cupcake

Company in Slip Inn Lane. ][


cinema ticket, live music on Saturdays, etc. The Sangria is tasty and strong!

If you want to compare the potency of Sangrias, then check out Crows Nest (which at the time of writing, is undergoing a renovation) on King Street. Mexican food at cheap prices, student discounts, silly sombreros and litres of Sangria…? Now opinions on this place are conflicted, but personal experience attests to slow-ish service (at times, much too efficient), fajitas and nachos that are well-spiced (not bland and insipid), and heady Sangria, brimming with oranges, apples and limes. Absolutely delicious!

Student discounts are also available at local Italian ristorantes Bella Italia (50% on Monday nights, 20% at other times), Verdes and Marco’s (additional discounts if you order before 6.30pm). Pizza Margherita offers a pre-theatre set menu and its specials are delicious.

For Indian food, try Bombay Balti (China Street) – their papads and mango lassi are an exquisite combination. Usually, ordering a couple of starters, nibbling on papads and drinking glass after glass of mango lassi is enough to satiate me! So if you want to try their food (that goes well with a glass of chilled beer), then go easy on the papads and starters! Imran’s Restaurant and Takeaway offers an appetizing buffet of 12 dishes and unlimited soft drinks (for less than a tenner, per person) that is very popular with students, student societies, etc for its price and quality. Sultan of Lancaster (Brock Street, and University campus), housed in an old church building is another – the kebabs are awesome, the curries authentic, service fantastic and they do offer halal meat. Alcohol is not offered on the menu.

For Asian food, try the Golden Dragon (George Street) that offers Cantonese and

Peking dishes, with a wide choice for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians. There is a 20% discount on takeaways (great for a Saturday night in) and the fortune cookies are a must-try! Miyabi, near the bus station offers Japanese food that is cooked in your presence – fun!

And finally, there are a couple more places worth mentioning for an evening out. Quite Simply French (on St.George’s Quay) offers French cuisine at reasonable prices. There are offers each evening; steak and mussels, champagne and lobster, pre-theatre menus, Sunday lunch, etc.

Then there is Nice Bar and Restaurant (near Lancaster Castle) that offers a menu for all dietary requirements – at the time of going to press, they had a pizza offer from 4-6.30pm where you pay the amount that corresponds to the time of order! So if you ordered at 4.17, you’d pay £4 and 17p. Nice eh?!?!

Finally, I’d recommend the Trojan Horse (George Street) for Greek food – if Greek food is new to you, try the meze dishes for a taste of everything and finish off with some lip-smacking baklava!

Dance the night away?Now you may already know the popular

student clubs, Sugarhouse and Revolution. Others worth checking out are Mint, Bar Eleven, and Yates.

Now, this is not an exhaustive guide to Lancaster, but I hope it gives you an idea of where to go on the days when you just want to get out of your office/room/house. And if you love or hate someplace in town, write to us at [email protected] with your experience! PS

- AMIE RAMANATH3RD YEAR PHD, MANAGEMENT

LEARNING & LEADERSHIP

LANCASTER GUIDE


1 Rub elbows at research group meetings. Most departments at

Lancaster University hold regular research group meetings. Finding the group that best matches your research interests and attending their meetings will expose you to cutting-edge techniques in your field. Most research groups are also eager to have postgraduate students present their latest work to an audience of peers and scholars. The obvious benefit of getting experience in presenting is in full effect here, as are the added bonuses of gaining feedback from others and possibly getting the attention of academics.

2Get in touch with the social representative (or nominate yourself

to be one). Most departments have social representatives to plan optional activities for students and staff. If there doesn’t seem to be anything fun happening in your department, make some of your

POSTGRADUATE TIPS

Six

easy ways toget moreinvolved in your department



own! Trivia nights, local hikes, and even pub crawls are popular socialising choices…take some time to showcase your non-academic skills. And you might be surprised where some elbow rubbing can take you professionally.

3Break off a piece of home. Because the postgraduate population at

Lancaster University is so multicultural, it’s the perfect place to offer up your hometown favourites. In many departments, postgrads team up to cook, decorate, or entertain on holidays from their home countries or cultures. If you’re proud of where you’re from, or even if you’re feeling a bit homesick, bringing a special dish or item to the department is a good way to get people talking about something you’re an expert on. Team up with other postgraduates for a potluck lunch for the best mixing pot scenario.

4Seek out teaching opportunities. Teaching is not only a way to gain

valuable experience, boost your CV credentials, and make money—it’s also a good opportunity to distinguish yourself from other students and work closely with academic members of staff. As an extra bonus, I’ve found that teaching within my sub-discipline (and fielding questions from undergraduates) has really strengthened my knowledge of and love for the subject. In this area, it’s important to manage your expectations—in many departments it’s rare for first-year PhDs to qualify for teaching. If that’s the case in your department, remember to voice your interest in tutoring early with both your supervisor and the course convenor you’d like to work with. Being overtly eager for the opportunity can go far in hiring season.

5Help to organise a conference. Almost every department at Lancaster has

some sort of conference during the year. With dozens (or even hundreds) of people in attendance, you can imagine the level of planning required. Volunteer to help out in conference organisation, and meet postgrads from related areas both at Lancaster or further afield.

6Mind the gap(s)! We have all come to Lancaster to learn, and also to

contribute in some small way to wider academic knowledge—this is the aim of the dissertation. But if you happen to notice a research gap in an area that is not strictly related to your dissertation topic, try to drum up some interest. I’ve had a good amount of success in locating research gaps, gathering research teams, and expanding within the field. Fair warning: this can pull time from your main research project. But, if managed correctly, side projects could bring you in contact with others who share your interests, might make a name for you in your department, and can be one path to the postgraduate Holy Grail…publication! PS

- AMANDA POTTS2ND YEAR PHD, LINGUISTICS

“”

Lancaster University is so multicultural, it’s the perfect place

to offer up your hometown favourites.

POSTGRADUATE TIPS


convenience of both on-campus and off-campus students. Of course, it is up to you if you would like to discover them all—in fact, I strongly recommend you do so!

On-campus: Galgate through EllelThis route follows a very short

walking and cycling path to Galgate through Green Lane, a silent path which takes you past well-tended gardens, cute houses and three old factories – some still functioning and some from the era of the Industrial Revolution.

On-campus: DolphinholmeDolphinholme is a cute village. Yet

the entertaining bit here is not the town itself but the green road with farms and fields alongside as you ride across. Some farmers have stalls located on the roadside where they sell eggs and vegetables. These are operated on ‘trust

Whilst I was preparing to begin a PhD-long stay in Lancashire, I

was very happy when I discovered that Lancaster is one of the more cycling-friendly cities in the UK. I believe that, when possible, students should seize the opportunity to become sustainable cyclists, especially those who are coming from a big city or are habitual cyclists who crave cycling as a part of daily life. If not, it is still one of the easiest, quickest and cheapest options on weekend breaks to relax and enjoy the traffic-free cycling paths through the natural surroundings.

Here, I shall provide you with an introduction to cycling (or walking, if you prefer) in Lancaster and its surrounding areas.

Considering where you live is obviously the key in planning a short or long ride. Here I divide the most well-known routes into two options for the

RouteIntroduction:

LANCASTER GUIDE

Guide to Cyclingaround Lancaster


payment’—the goods are just left there on their own with some price labels. What a civilized way to show your trust of people you do not know at all.

On- and off-campus: Glasson RideThis path takes you to a dock called

Glasson. You’ll see different terrains along the way: forest and grass, swamp of the bay due to powerful tides and canal scenery close to the dock. It is likely you will see some colourful grouse and many different wild birds on the way. Beware of the horses!

Off-campus: Canal SouthIf you live around Greaves (A6) or

Bowerham Road like many off-campus students do, this is a quick, peaceful cycling and walking path. You need to go west by passing under the railway bridge. I recommend the traffic-free Haverbreaks road, which takes you through a wealthy residential area with nice gardens. There you will see the Lancaster canal! Follow the canal until you’re opposite the city centre and then back to Ashton Road if you prefer a short ride/walk. On the way back home, you’ll see a magnificent building with a large secured garden that is an Islamic Boarding School today, called Jamea-Al-Kauthar. Alternatively, you may follow the canal towards the city, if you would like to return back home from the city centre and prefer a longer ride.

Off-campus: Crook O’LuneFrom the city centre, follow the River

Lune to the east. The cycling path here is not that enjoyable until you get past

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some industrial areas and an inn. Then, as you approach the Crook O’Lune, you’ll see a big difference. This is a favourite picnic area to many Lancastrians, a pastoral inspiration to artists and a heaven for walking lovers. As a side note, the walking paths thereabouts are a bit hilly for city bikers so you may lock your bike there and go for a walk if the weather is nice and warm enough. Having said that, if you’re lucky enough to witness one of the rare 25°C days at Lancaster, maybe once a year, you may notice people swimming under the bridge where the deep, clean, and calm River Lune meanders.

Off-campus: Hest BankLancaster cyclists are lucky that in

that the two major waterways in town perpendicularly cross one other. This enables you to follow either the River Lune or the canal as you ride east-west or north-south respectively. To take the Hest Bank trail, you need to follow the canal north. The Happy Mount Park in Morecambe is a nice venue to visit on the way out.

Off-campus: Heysham-Sunderland PointHeysham is a remote but very

cute village on the seaside south of Morecambe. Though it has a dubious location trapped between a nuclear power plant and Morecambe, it is one of the best places to see around Lancaster. A historic church, a quality pub restaurant, ancient ruins and sea scenery are waiting for you there. It is very convenient to access Heysham through a traffic-free cycle path from the city centre.


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Before setting out, visit celebratingcycling.org, which is a great website for Lancaster cyclists. Here you can download maps prepared for cycling/walking around Lancaster

(get an updated hardcopy from the library), subscribe to an email list of university cyclists and stay informed about events, announcements, bike maintenance workshops (free for students) and so on. Finally, I’ve created a customised Google map for interested readers where you can find the marked cycling routes summarised above and more information:

http://bit.ly/LancasterCycling

I wish you good luck and good weather this year so you may enjoy cycling around Lancaster as much as possible! PS

- BULUT ASLAN4TH YEAR PHD, MANAGEMENT SCIENCE


LANCASTER GUIDE


MUMMMUU1.THE WEAKERTHANS - REUNION TOUR: This indie band from Winnipeg, Canada features one of the greatest poets of our times—he could take on the Dylans and Cohens any day of the week. When singer and guitar player John K. Samson, (who admits in one of his songs that he “don’t know how to sing and can barely play this thing”) shares neatly observed stories and carefully crafted melodies in his unique and serene way, study time drips away like raindrops.

2.THE MOLDY PEACHES - THE MOLDY PEACHES: This duo from New York brings together the ingenious Kimya Dawson (known to some from the movie Juno) and the wonderful Adam Green (“Jessica Simpson, where has your love gone? It’s not in your music”). Their primitive odes at times can remind you of something that your little niece made up during recess, tackling everything from roller skates and BMX bikes to Hamburgers and middle school Duran Duran fandom.

3. BERRY – MADMOISELLE: If you think French Chansons are not for you, then you should give Berry’s 2008 debut album a listen. This is the perfect sound for a quiet afternoon with the books. You don’t speak French? Even better, then the lyrics won’t distract you!

4. CHET BAKER – 100 MASTERPIECES: You don’t have to love Jazz to enjoy being teleported back a couple of decades by this gentleman. Chet Baker, with his creamy Flugelhorn and his quirky singing voice, might remind you occasionally of mornings spent singing quietly in the shower concerned someone next door could hear you. This will last you an entire afternoon. You might have heard Chet Baker’s characteristic sound in the 1999 The Talented Mr Ripley film version starring Jude Law and Matt Damon. If you haven’t, take a break from studying for a change. Seeing Damon and Law singing “Tu Vuo’ Fa’ L’Americano”, which was the blueprint for the annoying “We No Speak Americano” radio hit last year, is worth it alone.

5. THE WHITEST BOY ALIVE – RULES: The Whitest Boy Alive is a Norwegian-German project formed around Kings of Convenience member Erlend Øye. If you are likely to take off your pants and start dancing whenever you hear a good beat, you probably don’t want to listen to this while studying in the library (also remember to keep the tapping along to a minimum). However their charming, raw and minimalistic indie is probably the most relaxing and yet the most danceable you will ever hear from a band.

MUMMMUUMy Top 5Albums for studying


MUMMMUUMUMMMUU

1. THE LOVELY EGGS - COB DOMINOS: This group is Lancaster’s number 1 music export and definitely the most fun band in town. This drums and guitar duo combines quirky stories with serious rock riffs and lead singer Holly sings with the cutest accent since Kate Nash. Even if you have stopped studying for the day, the Lovely Eggs will still teach you a fair bit…you will learn something about an olive and its cosmic dimensions, and what happens when you don’t read Richard Brautigan.

2. EMPIRE OF THE SUN - WALKING ON A DREAM: Australian Electro wizards Empire of the Sun are picking up where other great artists such as Air, Daft Punk, Phoenix and MGMT left off. This album is ideal for some after-library drinks and maybe some careful midweek dancing.

3. THE STREETS – THE HARDEST WAY TO MAKE AN EASY LIVING: So you have studied all day and need a break at night, but you are too lazy to go out? No problem, Birmingham’s Michael Skinner, aka The Streets, is taking you for a night out while you are in the comfort of your own living room. In his thick Brummie accent, and with a style of rap that defies anything you have ever heard from the U.S. boys, he will take you to pubs, bars, and clubs, through relationships, breakups, fights, more relationships, more pubs and will even get drunk so you don’t have to.

4. CURTIS MAYFIELD – MOVE ON UP: This 70s soul master and funk pioneer will cheer you up after a day of hard work. Though better known for the strong messages in his songs, his music is still the most uplifting you will ever hear and his band is responsible for some serious funk. No matter how hard your day with the books has been, Move on Up will get you up and running again for whatever you have planned for the night.

5. BIFFY CLYRO – PUZZLE: Scottish trio Biffy Clyro have been around for ages but have made it big only recently. If you really need some serious rock after a day over the books, this is for you. Played loud enough, this record might even be capable of rewiring your synapses and recalibrating your neurons. PS

- TIMO P. KUNZ2ND YEAR PHD, MANAGEMENT SCIENCE

My Top 5Albums for relaxing


51 Capital by Karl Marx. No

introduction or explanation needed, really. But, quite simply, a colossal and unbelievably perceptive piece of writing which, essentially, is just as relevant today as it has ever been. The seminal sociological text; a cornerstone of the discipline.

2 Camera Lucida by Roland Barthes. My PhD is on photography

in sociological contexts. I’ve chosen this for its unique and beautiful discussion of photography as a subjective, ontological, phenomenological experience (the notions of ‘punctum’, for example, and ‘that has been’).

3 Sociology in Question by Pierre Bourdieu. This is perhaps an odd

choice, at first glance. But the reason why I like it so much is because of its exposition of Bourdieu’s perception of sociology as ‘a science which makes trouble’. Fundamental to sociological endeavour is the questioning of assumptions and

the supposedly self-evident or established ‘truths’ of modernity. Bourdieu excels at this. The book also offers a series of interviews with the late Bourdieu (for me, the most impressive and sophisticated of contemporary sociologists) in which he discusses the fundamentals of his theory - including notions such as ‘habitus’, for example.

4 Berlin Childhood Around 1900 by Walter Benjamin. The beautiful,

touching, poetic memoirs of Benjamin’s childhood in Berlin. The book is made all the more poignant when one considers the circumstances of its production (Benjamin in exile from his beloved Berlin, following the rise of the Nazis).

5 On Photography by Susan Sontag. Perhaps the single most important

text on the theory and practice of modern photography. PS

-ERKAN ALI FINAL YEAR PHD STUDENT, DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY

BOOKSHELF

My top


CREATIVITY CORNER

I’ve been drawing since I can remember.I especially like to draw people. Every person has a different expression, features, traces of a life and it fascinates me to try and capture it.This illustration is in mixed media, drawing,india ink and then some post-

production in Photoshop.

- SARA GANCHO2ND YEAR PHD, DESIGN


I am a mature student who has returned to education to carry out a PhD degree

by research. I was excited to begin my research, but at the same time a little bit nervous. Who would I be working with? The first time I came to see my ‘candidate’ supervisor, he showed me around a big open-plan workshop room where different experiment rigs were laid out. I remembered him saying, “Three years is not a short time to work with someone, so we have to make sure that we can work together as a team. I have got very good references about you, that’s why I chose you”. I did not say anything. In my mind I was thinking about my previous supervisors with whom I used to ‘work together as a team’.

I am glad that I was able to build a good rapport with these previous supervisors. I still maintain a correspondence with them, even though they are retired now; I even sent my short story book and poem collection to my PGCE supervisor. I was excited when my supervisor from Australia visited me in June 2007, twenty years after I had completed my Masters degree by research at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology.

Due to family circumstances, my first PhD supervisor left after just a year of supervising me. My present supervisor, who replaced him, is semi-retired. He does not come to the university every day, yet he is approachable when he is at his office. I can knock on his office door any time, and ask whether I could discuss my work, if he

is not busy. This goes both ways: he comes occasionally to my office to seek me out and discuss my work. Because I am now in the final year of my study at the thesis writing stage, I need a more structured meeting schedule. Therefore, I am expecting to get more support from him.

Other students are not so lucky. Nurturing a good relationship with your supervisor is very important, and could make or break your postgraduate experience. I have heard sad stories from some PhD students who were unable to build a good rapport with their supervisors, or found their supervisors to be difficult or unapproachable. These supervisors are not supportive, are too busy, and only communicate through email! Could you imagine having to work with someone on a research project for three or more years if you could not work together harmoniously? One of my friends experienced this situation from her very first year! She had made an appeal to change supervisors, but she was not successful! After struggling to face all these difficulties, she eventually managed to submit her PhD thesis at the end of her fourth year study. I have a friend who studied in Manchester five years ago who told a similar story. His supervisor did not agree with his analysis after spending three years on research. This put him into a limbo situation, which is unthinkable after three years of hard work. I could only suggest that he change supervisors. He eventually got a new supervisor and (thank goodness) completed his study after four and a half years. If he had failed, what a waste of money, time and energy! He was a mature self-funding student, and had used five years of savings to be able to go overseas to do his PhD!

‘Plays nicely with others’

A guide to working well with a supervisor

POSTGRADUATE TIPS


In order to get the most out of your postgraduate experience, take time to reflect on what you expect from your supervisor. In my understanding a supervisor should be present to help, to support and to facilitate the efforts of his or her students all along their study period. They have to understand the students’ difficulties and help them to find a way to manage their problems so that they can carry on in their study, overcome obstacles and eventually complete the project successfully. In exchange, we the students have to show our commitment by studying thoroughly, working hard to achieve our goals, and completing a research project that meets the requirements and academic standards of a PhD qualification within a set time. A supervisor should help to make the learning and research journey go smoothly, to guide their students in the right direction, and to help when they get stuck! I do understand that a PhD research student is expected to be able to work independently and creatively, with initiatively, and be able to manage their research work properly. Yet, if students cannot work together with their supervisors as a team, then the whole thing could be a disaster!

Research is only one aspect of any student’s life. Sometimes PhD students face problems in non-academic situations which have an impact on their study. This

often happens with mature students who have families and/or children, especially if these students are self-funding, or do not have enough of a bursary to support the whole family. They cannot focus on their study alone in terms of time; they also have to think of how they can support the family financially. Therefore, it is critical that PhD students are able to maintain an open line of communication with their supervisors regarding not only academic challenges, but also personal and financial. If you feel like you can seek advice from your supervisor, you might get some valuable input on how to manage your time and money.

Finally, it is important to learn to understand your supervisor: their styles, their interests, their characters, and so on. Based on this information, find a strategy to build good communication. It’s ideal to begin building a good rapport from the early stage! This will be the important key to doing your best work and completing your PhD in good time.

I would like to leave you with an intriguing question: Should all the PhD supervisors have to attend a coach or mentor training to help them to be a good supervisor? Respond via email at [email protected] or start a discussion on our Facebook page. PS

- ESTI MARDIANI-EUERS 4TH YEAR PHD, ENGINEERING

POSTGRADUATE TIPS

“”

In order to get the most out of your experience, take time to reflect on what you expect from

your supervisor.

Nurturing a good relationship with your

supervisor is very important and could make or break your

postgraduate experience

“”

20

I like teaching, but I never dreamed of being a teacher, especially a Maths teacher.

My first involvement with the ‘teaching’ experience happened when I was in high school. A classmate who lived near my home came to see me almost every evening to ask me to check her homework, mainly Maths: Algebra, and Geometry. Then, her friends began to come to me too. Of course, I did it for free. Well, not quite free, because they then treated me with cinema trips. We liked the James Bond series, so every time there was a new Bond film, we went to the cinema. During my second year at university, I had to work part-time to support myself and this time, teaching Maths literally paid off!

What I’ve learned is that life is full of surprises! To cut a long story short, the first professional job I applied for in Lancaster was that of a Learning Support Assistant for Numeracy at a young offenders’ institution, in a one-to–one situation. I also worked as a voluntary tutor at the Adult College. But it was the job at the young offender’s institution that was not only challenging, but helped attract me to observe the educational system in the prison where I worked.

Then I decided to pursue a Postgraduate certificate in Education (PGCE) and thus began, my ‘adventure’ of doing educational research. As part of the course, I had to do a small-scale action research project, something that was completely new for me. My background is in engineering, and in the past I did a lot of research in Indonesia in engineering, i.e. in water resource management and environmental impact assessments, flood mitigation, and river basin development. I was also involved intensively in curriculum development. But I never thought that I could write a paper

Attending the European

Conference of Educational

Research (ECER) 2010

CONFERENCE

PostScript | LUGRAD Magazine


about educational research based on my work experience.

One day, during a meal with friends, we were discussing the educational system in the prison. I mentioned that I had done some research on how to improve the system. They encouraged me to send a paper to the British Educational Research Association (BERA) Conference and European Conference of Educational research (ECER).

Thank goodness, I still had all my work, the portfolio, the research report, the raw data, copies of related topics from the internet, some handbooks and references. Yet, I only had a month to write the paper before the deadline for the BERA Conference. I managed to submit just on the deadline date! As this is the first time I have worked on educational research, my friend suggested that I should present it at pre-conference, a conference that is dedicated to new emerging researchers or PhD students who are attending a conference for the first time. There is an added incentive for the new researcher to attend such a meeting: registration is free and the organisers also offer a travel grant. ‘Why not?’, I thought, and applied.

Amazingly, I did get the travel grant and free accommodation! This year, too, for the ECER conference, I got a travel grant from the Faculty of Science and Technology, as well as discounted accommodation.

During the conference, the session was chaired by a senior and experienced researcher who gave us constructive feedback on how to improve both our research and presentation. The organiser also provided other events such as a Methodology Workshop, Emerging Researchers’ Network Meeting, Social Event, Workshop and an Ethics Panel.

CONFERENCE

There was also a ‘Best Paper’ competition for the new emerging researchers. The idea of this competition is to encourage the new researcher to be active so that later on they might become the successors of the seasoned conference participants. The winner would be eligible for a grant to attend the next year ECER in Berlin. The organiser also offered 2 studentships for postgraduate students and new researchers within a year of completing their PhD. The grant covered accepted presentation at the pre-conference, fees for main conference, social event costs, and €500 for travel and accommodation. That is not all! Ten students and recent graduates from Eastern European Countries and another ten students from other low GDP countries (including those from low GDP countries studying in high GDP countries) are also being offered ECER scholarship. I am sure, all these incentives and the generosity of the ECER organisers will continue to attract PhD students and new emerging researchers, especially students in my situation who cannot easily get this conference grant because of an anomaly of circumstances: I am an Engineering PhD student who is attending an Educational Research Conference!

Attending the pre-conference is a very good opportunity for new emerging researchers. You will meet a lot of PhD students from many European countries and can build a network for collaboration research in the future. You will also meet the experienced researchers who are open for questions and information of how to be a good researcher, to produce the best paper, etc. In terms of accessing the journal, we have a free one year subscription to the European Educational Research Journal (EERJ), an EERA’s peer-reviewed on


CONFERENCE

line journal. Last but not least we will be automatically registered as a member of EERA for a year. During conference dates, we get free Helsinki Region Transport (HRT) together with a city map. The travel card can be used for any journey by bus, underground tram, commuter train or ferryboat in the greater Helsinki area. This means, we can travel around from Monday to Saturday free and have an opportunity to explore Helsinki, in the evenings and on Saturday.

My presentation was successful and I had very good comments from the Chair who was also a key note speaker in the main conference. As this was my first time presenting educational research at an international conference, I was very pleased.

I am still interested in doing small research in education. In my own time, I am now observing my adult learners who return to education to learn Maths. It is fascinating to follow their journey, to see them from the beginning. A leaner who comes with no confidence, terrified, and with a negative image about themselves, saying ‘that they hate Maths and they are not good at Maths’, till eventually, they all pass the exam, and gain their confidence back. Some even leaving with further ambitions to undertake the next higher level course! PS

- ESTI MARDIANI-EUERS 4TH YEAR PHD,

ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

Jorge Cham©2010www.phdcomics.com

Post Script is now on Facebook! Visit our site and keep up to date with events, post comments or join our dis-cussion board. The page will be used as a way of getting in touch with other postgraduates and integrating your views into the magazine.

See: http://www.facebook.com/pages/PostScript-Magazine/110395305695897 or simply go to Facebook, and type in PostScript Magazine.


Name: Eny SulistyaningrumCountry of Origin: IndonesiaAcademic year: 2nd Year PhD StudentSubject: Management

What is your research topic? The effectiveness of government subsidies in supporting the nine-year compulsory education system in Indonesia.

In your opinion, what are the most enjoyable aspects of postgraduate study at Lancaster? I was lucky enough to win a scholarship to study in the United Kingdom, which is bliss. While researching, I’m able to learn about British culture, and travel to beautiful places such as the Lake District and to exciting cities as far as London. In terms of my study, I have had opportunities to learn new things, especially gaining specialized knowledge of the research process and ways to carry out research rigorously.

What has been the most difficult part of your PhD? I’ve struggled with how to balance my time between doing research and spending time with my family, especially looking after my little daughter.

Why did you choose Lancaster to do your degree? There are two main reasons why I choose Lancaster University. First, the LU Management School is one of the top-ranked universities in the United Kingdom. Also, I found a supervisor who is an expert in my research area, and I was eager to take the opportunity to work with them.

What other activities do you do besides doing your PhD? I love to explore my ‘hidden talents’, i.e. cooking and exploring. Occasionally I host a gathering of some friends, particularly people I have met through the Indonesian Student Association.

What advice would you give to new postgraduate students? Spend quality time strengthening your theoretical framework and mastering your statistics application skills, such as STATA, SPSS, etc..

If you were starting your postgraduate study all over again, knowing what you know now, what would you do differently?I have realised that Lancaster is rather cold for me; it would be nice if the weather were a little warmer. Secondly, if my research topic would have been approved without any changes prior to my departure to the UK, I would have prepared my research data as fully and completely as possible in Indonesia, so that I could devote more of my time here to focussing on analysis. PS

Profile: Meet a different postgrad student every issue!

PROFILE


PERSPECTIVE

I remember when I first stepped off the “welcome bus” and onto campus, all set

to start the program I had fought so hard for. At that point, the only information I had was a pair of emails sent out to other members of the Creative Writing MA, an informal ice breaker invite and a general idea of what was to come. A very general idea. That was October.

June saw the end of the workshop and academic life, the end of the postgraduate experience and a fully formed project that was just a nebulous something at the start of the year. Behind me were the writers’ retreat at Ty Newydd, friendships with my fellow writers on the course, tutelages with my professors, an enhanced work ethic and

YEAR END REFLECTIONS

Graduating from the MA in Creative Writing Program


discipline towards the craft and a clearer understanding of where this “novel idea” was heading.

I don’t think it’s possible to anticipate what you’ll get from an experience like this one; an education that is not your typical run-of-the-mill university experience. It was definitely miles away from the writing of papers, undergoing research, deciphering logic circuits, etc. that comprised my undergraduate degree in Computer Science. There were certainly a lot of variables going in: what were my professors going to be like, would the structure of throwing in the poets with the prose writers work for me, what if I didn’t get along with the writers on the course, etc.?

Maybe it was the level of enthusiasm I had for the program going in or maybe I just got lucky, but the writers on the course were, are, and have been great company, critics, readers, and sounding boards. Above every other experience on the course, it is these relationships that I am going to take with me. The professors offered plenty of widely differing critique from focussing on plot to focussing on characters, to structure, and back again.

Each professor had their own particular strand they worked with, which brought a certain depth to the wide range of critique offered.

The structure of the programme was the biggest attraction but also one of the more significant concerns: what would the ratio of prose writers to poets be? It was four poets to ten prose writers and inevitably perhaps—tutors with their own specialties thrown into the mix—I gained a better understanding of the medium. Who knows? Maybe a bit of it seeped into my own work, too. I hope so. I hope I take away the words and thoughts of my fellow writers and walk out into a future still tepidly unknown with somewhat of a sprightly step.

Here’s to the future, I guess.. PS

- MARYAM PIRACHA MA, CREATIVE WRITING“

”

I don’t think it’s possible to anticipate

what you’ll get from an experience

like this one; an education that is not

your typical

PERSPECTIVE


The recommended reading lists for post-grad Creative Writing students, or any

literature student for that matter, include everything from academic texts to classics and prize-winning novels. The postgrad’s reading choices are limitless. Time is not.

Working toward completion of a thesis or writing project submission within a two-year framework, while making time for research (not counting tangential adventuring on Google and JSTOR) and the

writing itself, means that some judicious reading choices have to be made. It is exciting when the research, reading, and writing come together in a book that also captures your imagination and is difficult to put down.

Cool Water, by Dianne Warren, the 2010 fiction category recipient of Canada’s Governor General’s Literary Awards– known affectionately as the GGs–was one such novel.

My DLMA project is a long narrative partially set in Saskatchewan, that oddly-shaped rectangular province, seemingly in the middle of the map of Canada, once home to Archibald Belaney, better known as Grey Owl. In addition, according to the online Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan, “the province of Saskatchewan received its name from the Cree word kisiskâciwan, which describes the ‘fast-flowing’ Saskatchewan River.”

Cool Water introduces the reader to southern Saskatchewan, but its themes connect with all

farming communities who are struggling with their own history and change. It also offers a study of the successful crafting of a novel’s form. Reading as a writer, I wanted to see how Warren’s specificity expands to universal themes, and to examine her use of multiple voices.

Warren’s book explores the history of a farming community in the midst of difficult times. It begins with a 100-mile horse race through the “dunes and the grasslands of the Little Snake Hills” near the fictional town of Juliet, Saskatchewan. Following the riders in a 100-mile square track, Warren

Cool Water Expanded ReviewBOOK REVIEW


Are you studying for a Masters degree this year? Do you want to join the PostScript team?We are recruiting an editor from any academic discipline who is undertaking Master’s level study. Your responsibilities will be to primarily recruit content geared towards the needs of Master’s students, whilst also helping out with editing and managing the magazine as a whole.

To apply, please email [email protected] indicating your program, year of study and any background experience you might have.

We are looking forward to hearing from you!

drops us into a land now empty of “great woolly herds of buffalo” and being “divided into townships and sections and quarter-sections for men with one-way plows.” While echoing the past, the subsequent chapters take place within a 24-hour period in present day Juliet. Against this backdrop, Warren writes flawed characters without falling into stereotypes of harried mothers, adulterous lovers, or poor farmers. She skillfully portrays people who, as Vicki’s character says, try “to see the best” within their own consciousness and the changing environment.

Applying the third person limited omniscient point of view to a set of characters in rotation is an often-used form, but in the hands of less skilled writers, you can find yourself rereading chapters or flipping back and forth trying to recapture the narrative thread. Warren successfully manages this technique by subtly linking

each character’s story to the past or next tale, moving back and forth, embedding fates, and carrying people, animals, and objects through time in a landscape that is at once magical (complete with camel) and contained.

With all that needs to be read and written within the next year, this book was a gratifying way to pass a weekend while adding to my bibliography and academic research. PS

- GAIL KIRKPATRICK 2ND YEAR DL MA, CREATIVE WRITING

Warren Dianne, Cool Water, HarperCollins, Toronto, 2010 ISBN 978-1-55468-558-5

http://www.canadacouncil.ca/prizes/ggla/

http://www.harpercollins.ca/authors/60085694/Warren_Dianne/index.aspx

BOOK REVIEW


HOW GRAD SCHOOL IS LIKE KINDERGARTEN

Jorge Cham©2010www.phdcomics.com


Studying for a higher degree, whether it’s an MSc, MA, PhD, MPhil or whatever, can

be an extremely stressful time, especially when it gets close to deadlines. Students can easily find themselves thinking about nothing other than their academic work and if they live on campus can find it very easy to never get a break from the University.

The majority of our resident students are doing Masters Degrees and many of our off-campus students find it hard to meet otherson different courses other than in the college bars.

We also have many student families who live on campus and in town, and students who live withtheir partners and children often find it difficult to include their loved ones in many of the usual social activities around campus. We feel that it is extremely important from a welfare point of view for students to take time off, take a step away, meet other people and learn something about Britain in the process.

It is for this reason that the Graduate College (LUGRAD), in conjunction with the Post Graduate Student Association (PGSA) started running fortnightly day trips around the UK.

So far, we have been to Whitby, Scarborough, Durham, Leeds, Ullswater, Keswick, Llandudno, Conwy, Llanberis, Liverpool, Manchester, Chester, York,

Buxton and Skipton and many other places. On these, students(and their families) have taken part in many types of activities above and beyond the favourite shopping trips. They have been on walks to waterfalls, foodie tours, exploring caves, boat trips, exploring ancient ruins and castles and walked up hills.

Guiding students on these tours is Lancaster University legend, Davey Garland. He’s been here so long they will probably have to name a building after him if he ever does leave. He is a fount of knowledge about almost every area we have visited and loves nothing more than helping students to find the hidden gems of every town, city and village we visit. His infectious enthusiasm and love of discovering new places inspires everyone who goes along to look further than the usual tourist areas and find something unique and special.

We welcome feedback about the trips and ideas for new places to visit. And if a destination is too far for us to take a day trip there, we could still offer some advice on how to go there yourself for the best price.

Visit www.lugrad.wordpress.com for more information on current trip offerings and instructions on how to sign up. PS

- JANE HULLANDGRADUATE COLLEGE ADMINISTRATOR

College Day Trips

PostScript Magazine Call for SubmissionsWe’d like to hear from you!

Next deadline: 15th December, 2011➤ Do you enjoy writing?

➤ Are you interested in networking with other students?

➤ Would you like to share your experiences with other postgraduates?

Then consider submitting to PostScript! We accept a variety of articles which relate to UK and international student experiences, postgraduate issues or concerns, or matters related to the university. However, we also welcome varied content in the following areas:

• reviews of books, articles or conferences• commentaries about political/social issues• tips for other postgraduates• stories about doing your research• top 5 lists (Books, Films, Music, Travel destinations, favourite places

(Restaurants, Pubs,...) on campus, in Lancaster or elsewhere, or any other top 5 lists you can think of

• introductions of your Department (research focus, research groups, events, people, location and any interesting aspects that people might not know about)

• reviews of recent social events on campus or in Lancaster• artwork, illustrations, photography

Content is not restricted to the list above so if you have any suggestions for articles, please send them to us. To submit to PostScript, please adhere to the following guidelines for submissions:

• All submissions should be sent in a word document to [email protected]. As a general rule, we ask that longer articles be kept within 500-1500 words, and reviews such as books or conferences between 250-800 words.

• As a general rule, we ask that longer articles be kept within 500-1500 words, and reviews such as books or conferences between 250-800 words.

• Please be sure to send photographic works, illustrations, or artwork as a separate file (not in a word document), and ensure the images are high quality with an approximate file size of 8-12 MB. All original work will be credited and copyrighted accordingly.

Documents

Post Script Magazine Vol 3