Friday 15 June 2012

A Temporary End to Turnip Rail

Dear all. It is with much sadness that I write this post.

On Monday I had my Thesis Advisory Panel, where, after much discussion, it was decided that I need more work on my PhD than could be done within the three months of my remaining registration. Indeed, I may even need to extend my work until Christmas. Consequently, this has left me very disheartened, as I was hoping to start a book in October.

*UPDATE* I have decided not to pursue a career as an author and have decided to go into academia full-time when my PhD is over. It is why I did the PhD and, ultimately, I'll have the opportunity to do the thing I love, research. I am not saying I will never write a popular book - just not yet.

However, this said, I am determined to get the work done as soon is as humanly possible (before Christmas hopefully). The problem with a thesis, any thesis, is by the end those doing them want to get shot of them. Indeed, while I love my topic and the subject matter, I feel that after six years it is time to move on. Therefore, to speed my work, I have taken the decision to virtually suspend working on anything new for my sites, 'Turnip Rail' and 'Turnip Rail's Waiting Room'. Given my lovely, loyal readership, this decision has not been taken easily, and I do feel I am letting down the people who like the site and who have made it such a success over the past two and a half years. I thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for their support. But I have to get the thesis done ASAP. My career, and my sanity perhaps, depends on it.

But I will leave you with this thought: Turnip Rail will return, you can be sure of it.

With Love

David

5 comments:

  1. You are not letting anyone down. What is important for your future is that you finish your thesis. Good luck and we await the return of Dr David Turner.

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  2. Good luck with the thesis, David - look forward to your return!

    All the best

    Amateur Casual

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  3. CJN gets it spot on. Good luck. I hope you get to the terminus before you get King's Cross. If you have a spiritual side, you should perhaps make an offering at Temple Meads? Loyal readers will wait patiently for your return. After all, railway people are used to long waits!

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  4. Best of luck with your thesis David! You'll be better for it once it's all over! - Rebecca

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  5. David,

    Don't be too despondent - your situation is far from unique - indeed several years ago I experienced something probably not too dissimilar from your present situation. I followed advice from a wily old academic in my social circles who said "simply do what you were asked to do at the panel, even if you don't actually agree with it. If you do that,it will be very difficult to turn you down".

    That advice was sound. On the follow-up meeting I was told before entering the room 'you have your PhD, but we have one or two questions we would like to discuss before we have lunch!'

    Head down - keep going - will be worth it in the end.

    Bob - @tourismhistory

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