-
Asked by inazuma to Cassie, Karen, Sofia, Tommy on 20 Nov 2013.
-
Cassandra Raby answered on 20 Nov 2013:
Oh boy… the recession sure made things harder. I’m glad you’re asking about the economic side of science – people forget how important this is.
So I graduated just as the recession started, which meant that I hadn’t started any research yet, but it certainly made finding a job harder. And then after I found a job, and done my MSc degree, and done another job, there was still a recession! Eeek. So while all this was going on I was trying to apply for funding for my PhD project idea. The funding for research can come from different places, but mine comes from a government funded research council called NERC. So with the government cutting funding to research less grants could be given out the the competition was really tough!
Luckily I got the funding – which was awesome! But it meant my research started a little later than I would have liked.
-
-
Thomas Doherty-Bone answered on 21 Nov 2013:
YES IT BLOODY HAS 🙁
Touchy subject, but I reckon I could have had my PhD by now if it wasn’t for the government cuts, meaning budgets to pay for maintenance and research projects were reduced. Fewer opportunities.
Even now I am doing my PhD, I still have to look for funding so I can effectively do research. Its never been easy getting funding, but it seems to be even harder now. It was noticeable from 2008. The university gives me a little to get by, but I barely scrape along. Its tough. Its still a struggle one year into my PhD.
-
Sofia Franco answered on 21 Nov 2013:
Oh yes…we normally apply to research grants or are funded by the government, so when the crisis broke through, getting funding became harder and harder! In my case, I had a contract for 4 years, which is great 🙂 but getting one after this is by no mean fit! You need to look much harder and also have a bit of luck, since there is less money and more people looking for jobs/funding!
Comments