Forum for doctoral students
Forum for Doctoral Students provides additional support for PhD students in the human sciences. The purpose is to provide additional guidance so that more PhD students finish on time and feel good a long the way.
Objectives
Forum for Doctoral Students has three main objectives:
- More PhD students should finish on time
- Decrease negative stress and absence due to sick leave among the PhD students
- Further strengthening Stockholm University’s competitiveness
Forum for Doctoral Students consists of:
- A mentorship program
- Career activities
- Writing labs
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Welcome to the Mentorship Program for Doctoral Students year 2026-2027!
The purpose of this program is to support doctoral students in navigating their role as PhD students and their future career. The program primarily invites doctoral students in the beginning of their PhD studies (second or third semester). You will get paired with a faculty member (lecturer or researcher) from a different faculty at Stockholm University to discuss matters of importance to you. Topics might include, but are not limited to, how to navigate the Swedish academic system, how to retain a good work-life balance, and how to assess career choices during and after the PhD.
This program is modelled on a longstanding mentorship program to support young researchers at Stockholm University as well as the four last years’ mentorship programs for PhD students at Stockholm University.
The mentorship program for doctoral students includes three hourly meetings per semester with your individual mentor to discuss topics of specific relevance to you. It also includes three meetings over the course of a year, where we invite guests to talk about issues like supervision, post-doc life, academic freedom/political regulation etc.
The program starts in late September 2026 and runs until 2027. We will meet in a nice location on campus (Aula Magna).
Read the article: Mentorship increases well-being
How to apply for the mentorship program:
Write a one-page letter in which you introduce yourself, briefly explain your research topic, and why you would like a mentor. Send the letter in a pdf-file to: forumfd_humvet@su.se. The letter will be used to select candidates and also to pair the candidates with the right mentor. We have 10 spots available.
The specific dates for the three meetings over the course of a year are:
- 30 September 2026, 15 - 17
- 22 January 2027, 13 – 15
- 21 May 2027, 13 - 15
You must be able to make all three meetings to apply. In case of questions, feel free to reach out to Maria Wendt, project manager of Forum for doctoral students including the mentorship program for doctoral students: forumfd_humvet@su.se
Career Activities
Photo:: YURI ARCURS, Mostphotos
The career activities focus both on navigating life in academia and on the different choices and opportunities available after completing a PhD. Guest speakers representing various fields and career paths share their experiences.
Read the article: Well-attended career seminar on strategic academic publishing
Writing a compilation thesis – challenges and strategies.
The career activities focus both on navigating life in academia and on the different choices and opportunities available after completing a PhD. Guest speakers representing various fields and career paths share their experiences.
The next event is a breakfast seminar on 23 October, 8:30-10:00, in Gula Villan, on the theme: “Writing a compilation thesis – challenges and strategies.” Our guest is Ann-Sofie Jägerskog, Associate Professor at the Department of Teaching and Learning, who has published an important article on this topic: Challenges and approaches in the process of writing an article-based thesis in social sciences and humanities
To register, please email: forumfd_humvet@su.se
The second breakfast seminar of the autumn, Gender, Power and Academic Careers, will take place on Friday, 4 December. Breakfast will be served from 8:00 a.m., and the seminar will run from 8:30 to 10:00 . in Spelbomskan at Aula Magna. Our guest speaker is Charlotte Silander, Associate Professor of Political Science at the Department of Education, Linnaeus University, whose research focuses on gender and diversity in academia.
To register, please email: forumfd_humvet@su.se
Writing Labs
Photo: Björn Dalin
The writing labs are a cornerstone of the project. These sessions occur every Tuesday between 9-11 a.m. throughout the semester in Gula Villan, Ninox. The first session starts on September 15 and the last one is on December 15.
In this way, doctoral students regularly set aside time for their research and writing at an excellent location (Gula Villan, Ninox). The energy during these sessions is dynamic and helpful. For example, we end each session by sharing advice about academic research and writing.
Read the article: Creating Structure and Joy in Research Studies
Course for All Doctoral Students
Finish on time and feel good along the way
Many doctoral students feel that a duality characterizes their PhD studies; on the one hand, an incredible amount of freedom and time to work with the subject one is passionately interested in, on the other hand, that freedom leads to frameworks that are too loose. This course provides solid techniques and new strategies to finish on time and feel good along the way.
The course is open to all doctoral students at Stockholm University and the course is given in English. The course leader is Åsa Burman, docent in practical philosophy and author of The Doctoral Student Handbook: Master Effectiveness, Reduce Stress and Finish on Time. Location: Gula Villan Minerva for all workshops. All participants get fika and a course book etc.
Register by sending an email to: asa.burman@philosophy.su.se. Please mark the subject line of the email: Doctoral student course. Limited number of seats available. The same email address can be used for questions about the course. Welcome!
"For me, it has had an enormous impact on my everyday life. I get more done in my working hours and no longer have to work evenings or weekends."
- Course participant
If you have questions or would like to register, reach out to: asa.burman@philosophy.su.se
Group 1: New PhD students (starting up to halfway)
Workshop 1 – Academic productivity
From efficiency to effectiveness: How do I use the 80/20 principle in my thesis work?
Date: Wednesday the 16th of September, 09.00-12.00
Gula Villan: Minerva
Workshop 2 – Academic productivity
From vague visions to concrete goals: How do I set realistic goals?
Date: Monday the 5th of October, 09.00-12.00
Gula Villan: Minerva
Workshop 3 – Academic writing and publishing
From perfectionism and procrastination to flow
Date: Wednesday the 4th of November, 09.00-12.00
Gula Villan: Minerva
Workshop 4 – Sustainable work methods
The demand-control-support model
Date: Monday the 23rd of November, 09.00-12.00
Gula Villan: Minerva
Group 2: PhD students who have reached halfway or further
Workshop 1 – Academic productivity
From efficiency to effectiveness: How do I use the 80/20 principle in my thesis work?
Date: Tuesday the 15th of September, 13.00-16.00
Gula Villan: Minerva
Workshop 2 – Academic productivity
From vague visions to concrete goals: How do I set realistic goals?
Date: Monday the 5th of October, 13.00-16.00
Gula Villan: Minerva
Workshop 3 – Academic writing and publishing
From perfectionism and procrastination to flow
Date: Tuesday the 3rd of November, 2026, 13.00-16.00
Gula Villan: Minerva
Workshop 4 – Sustainable work methods
The demand-control-support model
Date: Monday the 23rd of November, 13.00-16.00
Gula Villan: Minerva