The Whisper Collective finds and showcases the best, independent academic advice from around the web. We are here to help PhD students, postdocs and academics in their work. We feature blog posts, videos, podcasts and reviews from creators in different parts of the world. This site will update as new content is created: book-mark and visit frequently to see what’s new or become a member for free and get a monthly newsletter. Click on any of the links on this page to visit active bloggers from around the world. Check out the menu for a range of other content, merch and events. Visit our About page to find out more about the Whisper Collective and our work.

Feature article

  • Moving house on the Ides of March
    On 9 June 2011, we sent this tweet out into the world: So, it begins… — Research Whisperer (@researchwhisper) June 9, 2011 That same day, we set up Research Whisperer on Facebook and started the WordPress blog. Like everyone else starting social media accounts and blogs, we had zero followers. We were amazed how quickly […]...
    Research Whisperer /TWC Published on: 14 Feb 2023

Latest from our featured blogs

  • Academic gossip and artisanal bullshit
    It is a truth almost never acknowledged, that university communities are absolutely, totally, tragically addicted to gossip. I was reminded of this truth when the identity of the new ANU VC was announced last week. It was goodbye to the much celebrated and respected Brian Schmidt and hello to the...
    Thesis Whisperer Published on: 03 Oct 2023

  • Helping people navigate academia on YouTube
    The initial journey: Academia and industry experiences As a student fascinated by the wonders of chemistry (and a very enthusiastic high school chemistry teacher), my academic journey started with an undergraduate master’s degree (MChem), and eventually culminating in a PhD from the University of Newcastle, Australia. This quest for knowledge,...
    Research Whisperer Published on: 29 Aug 2023

  • It just comes back to kindness
    I’ve just returned from several weeks travelling in North America. The space to think, observe new things, people and contexts, and to be curious was so embraced. Here is what I have learnt that resonated as most important....
    Wellbeing Whisperer Published on: 17 Aug 2023

  • keeping up with the literatures
    Keep up. Keep up. Don’t get behind. When I hear these words I immediately want to rebel. What’s really wrong with being a bit behind? Keeping up with what’s being published takes time and effort. Do you really, really need … Continue reading →...
    Patter Published on: 02 Oct 2023

  • Why We Need To Learn About Colonialism
    When I learned history at school, it was all about European royalty and battles from the distant past. This was in the 1970s when Britain was an even more overtly racist country than it is now. Yet I learned nothing … Continue reading →...
    Helen Kara Published on: 13 Jul 2023

  • Towards a theory of University ‘excellence’
    Universities like to say they are 'excellent'. It's a buzz word, and when you've been around campuses for a while, you realise it's an adjective that's applied to absolutely everything, so it kind of ends up meaning nothing. But when we look around universities, we see lots of ways they...
    Research Degree Insiders Published on: 03 Aug 2023



  • Written conversations: Break the Rules with Cathy Rentzenbrink
    We’re joined by acclaimed memoirist, writing tutor and author of five books Cathy Rentzenbrink. In this honest, frank and occasionally strongly worded conversation we explore how the ‘rules’ we come to believe about our writing aren’t necessarily true. And why we shouldn’t always believe what other writers tell us about...
    The Prolifiko Blog Published on: 31 Mar 2023

  • True or False
    It’s true that binary questions – yes or no, true or false, A or B – could feature in a viva as a means of simply qualifying details. It’s a false expectation to think binary questions are the dominant format......
    Viva Survivors Published on: 03 Oct 2023


  • What are informational interviews?
    Thanks to my friend Jennifer van Alstyne for this fun conversation about informational interviews, why to do them, and how they can supercharge a PhD… The post What are informational interviews? appeared first on From PhD to Life....
    From PhD to Life Published on: 27 Sep 2022