And just like that, a month has gone by since I started. Crazy to think it’s already October. Where has the time gone? And why don’t I know everything yet? Seriously though, with all the time and effort I’ve spent on the eternal “so what?” question surrounding my research plan, I might have solved world peace by now. Sorry, world.

Speaking of that problem (the “so what?” one, not the world peace one), a PhD colleague sent me an article that has been a great help. It’s called “Problemen med problemet” (“The Problem with the Problem”) by Boel Berner, and it offers practical tips for answering that elusive question. So practical, in fact, that I think I’m getting closer to formulating my research plan in a way that makes the problem clearer. Emphasis on “a little.” But I’m getting there.

That’s how I spent most of my week: framing the research and placing it in a larger context. I also did a great deal of socialising for someone who is very introverted.

On Thursday, I spent the day at a doctoral conference organised by the university’s Doctoral Union, and I had a great time. I met some lovely people from my own faculty and others, and one of the best things was how international the group was. There were people from India, Chile, Poland, Sweden, Mexico, England, Ireland… The conversations over lunch were great craic.

Most of the day was taken up with presentations on the facilities and opportunities the university offers, along with some fun discussions about networking. I was relieved to see I wasn’t the only one who wrote down “terrifying” as one of the first words that comes to mind when networking is mentioned. It seems plenty of us would be happier hiding behind an open book. That said, we all did a great deal of networking that day.

The socialising continued on Friday with a morning session for new employees, followed by some very tasty food in the university restaurant.

It was nice to meet new people, but it was also great to have a change of scene, as both days were spent in a different university building. As much as I like my office, a change of environment is often exactly what my brain needs to reset. Maybe that’s another reason I feel I’m getting closer to solving the problem with my problem.

Other notable events this week were a seminar on racism in schools and, finally, finding a stapler in the supply cupboard at work. I was so excited that I sent my husband a photograph of it. Now I can stop borrowing my colleague’s. Sometimes it really is the small things that make your week.

Next week we have a writing retreat at work, where we get together to think and write and support each other in the process. Hopefully, by the end of it, I’ll have the research problem clearly formulated on paper. Fingers crossed.

So, one month in: stapler found, world peace pending…