8 Important PhD Articles From the Last Decade (2012 - 2022)

With so many articles and research papers available, however, it can be overwhelming to know what’s worth reading and what’s not.

To help with this conundrum, we’ve collected the most important articles that have emerged from 2012 to 2022 – some changing the way we think about our chosen disciplines, others providing updates and insights for already existing data and updates.

In order to make the cut for this list, the articles needed to deal with large themes of the evolving PhD cultures and trends that we have seen including:

• Remote PhDs

• Mental health in PhDs

• Career transitions outside of academics

• Staying competitive for academic careers

• Research Culture: Highlighting the positive aspects of being a PhD student

July 26, 2022Articles about doing a PhD tend to focus on the difficulties faced by research students. Here we argue that the scientific community should also highlight the positive elements of the PhD experience. www.elifesciences.org/articles/81075

• How to build a well-rounded CV and get hired after your PhD

December 2, 2020Guidance and tips on harnessing these resources to build a well-rounded CV and increase your chances of getting hired after your PhD. We provide two perspectives on developing your CV to optimize career opportunities in academia and beyond.www.febs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/febs.15635

• How to defend a PhD remotely

March 30, 2020Alyssa Frederick defended her thesis remotely before the coronavirus outbreak began. Here’s how. www.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32235921/

• Being a PhD student shouldn’t be bad for your health

May 15, 2019 Landmark findings and provoking conversations from the first international meeting on postgraduate mental health. www.nature.com/articles/d41586-019-01492-0

• How to build a better PhD

December 2, 2015 There are too many PhD students for too few academic jobs — but with imagination, the problem could be solved. www.nature.com/articles/528022a

• 10 truths a PhD supervisor will never tell you

July 11, 2013 There are some important dos and don’ts to bear in mind when choosing someone to oversee your doctoral thesis.www.timeshighereducation.com/features/10-truths-a-phd-supervisor-will-never-tell-you/2005513.article

• Job-search basics: how to convert a CV into a resume

December 14, 2012For broad scientific careers, resumes serve as critical job-search tools. This Commentary provides a strategy for writing an effective resume for searching for a nonacademic job. www.nature.com/articles/ni.2453