GRASP
The HDR Blogosphere
August 25th, 2025, by
Reading blogs can be a good way to get fresh ideas, tips and strategies, and honest reflections about the realities of the research journey.
Here are a few written for HDRs and/or researchers that you might enjoy or find useful.
Nick Hopwood is Associate Professor at the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS). His blog posts cover issues concerned with PhD research and supervision as well as topics related to academic research, publishing and social science research methodology.
Written by Tseen Khoo and Jonathan O’Donnell (both from Deakin University) as well as guest posts, this blog “is dedicated to the topic of doing research in academia” and aims to “support, encourage, and work towards better academic lives”. Recent posts cover topics such as peer review, research integrity complaints, applying for funding and more.
This popular blog is written by Ingur Mewburn, Director of Researcher Development at the Australian National University. The posts cover everything from thesis writing and productivity, to supervisors and research career development.
Pat Thomson, Professor of Education in the School of Education, University of Nottingham writes interesting and well written articles about “research education, academic writing, public engagement, funding, other eccentricities”. Pat’s posts include titles such as “the cabinet of unrealised ideas”, “conference jitters” and “writer identity and voice”.
A blog for HDRs that shares ‘tricks of the trade’ and many resources, written by Katherine Firth, who is currently Researcher Developer in the Research Education and Development team at La Trobe University. The blog, along with Katherine’s work with HDRs as well as her other writing and research, has a strong focus on maintaining your wellbeing to help you thrive in academia.
James Hayton is a UK-based PhD coach specialising in academic writing and general project management. The blog, along with his Youtube channel, is designed to help make your PhD experience a positive experience. The topics covered are diverse - ranging from skill development, time management, self-care, using AI in writing your PhD (and why you shouldn’t) and much more.
Written by Dr Catherine Hope, UK-based Research coach, articles on this blog cover various aspects of writing a PhD, such as signposting your academic writing, mapping your thesis, and improving your flow with reverse outlining.
Supported by a UK based team of researchers, this website offers free resources for PhD students ranging from “practical articles, expert advice and actionable tips” that cover every stage of the research journey.
In this blog, Dr Luis P. Prieto from Tallinn University, Estonia, looks at problems and situations common to PhD students, including productivity and wellbeing, as well as conceptualising, conducting and writing up research. He shares practical tips and tools and there is a useful toolkit on his website, with exercises, structures and templates.
This post was updated on 26 November, 2025
What research blogs do you read and enjoy? Are there any you would like to see added to this list? Let me know in the comment form. Comments are anonymous and not published, although you can add your email if you would like a response or your comments published.
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