Silver Linings: Favorite Flashmob
With its more than 10 million views, you must have seen the Sound of Music flashmob.But I'm sharing it here:- because it always makes me smile when the thesis hits me in my stomach- because it comes from home (my…
PhD Talk among Top 100 Thesis and Dissertation references on the web
I have some lovely news to share with you, my awesome readers... PhD Talk is featured in Online PhD Program's list of Top 100 Thesis and Dissertation references on the web.Even better, the blog has earned a badge for that…
Breaking News: The Dissertation
I'm breaking my regular stream of posts to let you know that my dissertation is now available online through the TU Delft Repository. The printed copies should be ready on Thursday - 250 books in total are coming my way.Even…
Silver Linings: Podcasts and the Love of Learning
One of the things I enjoy most as an academician is the ability to learn all the time. As I read new publications and get acquainted with new test results or new theories, or try to read about a related…
Five Best Practices for Getting Started with Research
A little while ago, I got this question from a reader as a comment to the Silver Linings introduction.Also, could you write about starting with a research? I am actually afraid to start with it, to just do it and…
Writers’ Lab: A Quick Hack to Writing with Less Disturbances
Do you recognize yourself in the following description?You are trying very hard to write a paragraph, and just got into the flow of writing. But then you need to add a table or figure, and you need to start switching…
Silver Linings: The PhDcat(s)
If you find yourself procrastinating and watching lolcats or kitty pictures online, it might be time to get yourself your own furry friend. Petting your cat, walking your dog or playing with your hamster are all incredibly valuable and relaxing…
Thinking about STEM
As part of the MIT Medialab Course on Learning Creative Learning, I followed the YouTube lecture on Powerful Ideas.The interesting idea here comes in around the 27 min mark, in which Alan Kay argues that we shouldn't speak of STEM,…
Writers’ Lab: Five Ways of Getting in the Zone
Getting started with writing is sometimes the hardest part to writing. Once we get into the zone, or reach our state of flow, the words start forming sentences in our minds and writing can feel effortless.But too often we spend…
Silver Linings: Stay hungry, Stay foolish
Whenever you are struggling and wondering why you embarked upon your little research adventure, I'd encourage you to watch this speech by Steve Jobs.Regardless of all the hype around him, this speech is short yet so powerful. Watch it during…