STUDENT EDITOR OF THE MONTH FOR JULY (from Sandra Burr)

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Submitted by Sandra Burr on Tue, 30/06/2009 - 16:25.

Hello everyone, I am the student editor  for July- a first tiime poster although a long time forum lurker. 
I am currently caught in the nexus between completion and graduating - that happens next month when my whole creative PhD experience will be officially validated. After the freight train ride of finishing, submitting, waiting to be judged and then getting the copies printed and bound, it is wonderful to be able to stop, catch my breath and reflect on the past four years. i think about how much I have learned, how quickly the time flew by and how much I enjoyed 'doing my PhD.' I wonder about what the PhD means in terms of personal achievement, the satisfaction  of saying something new about the world, the boost to my career or the vain thrill of being called Dr. Burr. Some of these thoughts drove me on through the difficult parts, others are new.I think about how often family and friends said 'Wow. You're amazing. I couldn't do it." Well, it was amazing and I did do it and it feels terrific.
So, how do others feel about beiing a post graduate? What does it mean to you now and what will it mean at the end?  Why do we do it? And why do we choose to do  creative Masters and PhDs when they are so much more complex, revelatory and fragile than straightforward research? There were tiimes when I felt like i was simultaneously juggling a chainsaw , a champagne glass and a wet teatowel. Is anyone else out there discovering that trust in the creative process is a central theme of their creative research?
I had some other thoughts about how useful it would be to have a central listing of current creative postgraduate projects - to know what other people are engaged with and to be able to converse with them about their research.
I wait to hear from you
regards
Sandra

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Welcome Sandra

Submitted by cacroker on Sat, 04/07/2009 - 15:04.

I think a listserv of all our artefacts and exegeses would overcome the difficulty that not all universities log their PhDs (CW and others) on the Australian Digital Thesis Network. Also there is  quite a turn around time between completion, assessment, award and archiving.
At Swinburne a small number of us have attempted to copy electronic copies of Australian PhDs Artefact and Exegesis (where possible) and store in a centralised filing cabinet. Our files are far from exhaustive, and someone has to have the photocopy credit available. Also of concern is the security and use of these m/s. Whilst only a handful of us want to borrow/read them it is not an issue, but should many students want this access, borrowing and return procedures will become problematic. It is just our way of trying to feel "less lost at sea", by seeing how others navigate this process.
I feel such an archive electronically from this site would be the optimum solution however, who puts it together and does the actual web mastering work?
It would also give a similar space for Interstate reviews/blogs on our various Writing Festivals, Colloquia and Conference attendances. Janene did a great job at keeping us "mexicans" informed of the SWF09 goings on and I hope I can return the favour for the MWF09 in August.
Lastly, congrats on submission, and well done 'nearly Dr Burr'. My next six months are looming.... how I envy your 4 years!!!