Benji Turnbull
LightNews LightNews
banner
benjiturnbull.bsky.social
Benji Turnbull
@benjiturnbull.bsky.social
69 followers 96 following 200 posts
Science & Nature and Education, The MCU and Dramadies, Prowrestling and Hard Rock/Heavy Metal.

www.bencturnbull.wordpress.com
Posts Replies Media Videos
Pinned
benjiturnbull.bsky.social
Benji Turnbull @benjiturnbull.bsky.social · Dec 2
Hello @bsky.app world.

I'm a former PhD student who was failed after resubmission.

I demonstrably met my resubmission criteria. My PI seemed to think I was on track.

I can't appeal based on judgement so I'm left with 10.5Y amounting to a lesser (1Y) degree.

#phdlife #phdchat #phdvoice
benjiturnbull.bsky.social
Imagine hosting this event with no #PhD students present...

Maybe it's to mask the awful environment and support you'll receive...

#phdlife #phdchat #phdvoice
December 1, 2025 at 8:53 AM
benjiturnbull.bsky.social
Anyone thinking of doing a #PGDE or #PGCE to become a #Teacher, anything you'd like to know about the process?

#Teaching #Science #Biology
#phdlife #phdchat #phdvoice
benjiturnbull.bsky.social Benji Turnbull @benjiturnbull.bsky.social · 27d
Since August I've been doing a #PGDE to become a high school #Biology #Teacher.

Here're my reflections so far :)

Ask me anything :)

bencturnbull.wordpress.com/2025/10/28/p...
November 23, 2025 at 1:10 PM
benjiturnbull.bsky.social
#PGDE anxiety is sinking it.

#Teaching seems like such a consuming job, and I'm absolutely knackered just doing observations one day a week.

Can't see how I'll cope prepping, delivering, and evaluating a full schedule of classes.

Any advice from #Teachers?

#Biology #Science
November 20, 2025 at 7:11 PM
benjiturnbull.bsky.social
There's been so many horror stories of #PhD student maltreatment.

Lack of support to finish/pass, abusive relationships leading to restarting with new supervisors, having to remove supervisors for lack of input.

1/2

#phdlife #phdchat #phdvoice
November 15, 2025 at 5:13 PM
benjiturnbull.bsky.social
The losing a #PhD trauma is so recurring.

I want to be excited and interested in friends' work, but I just feel a deep anguish whenever they talk about their research or their theses.

#phdlife #phdchat #phdvoice
November 15, 2025 at 5:08 PM
benjiturnbull.bsky.social
I started a part time #PGDE in August :)

Interested in that journey? Take a peak at my blog!

#Biology #Science #Teacher #Teaching
benjiturnbull.bsky.social Benji Turnbull @benjiturnbull.bsky.social · 27d
Since August I've been doing a #PGDE to become a high school #Biology #Teacher.

Here're my reflections so far :)

Ask me anything :)

bencturnbull.wordpress.com/2025/10/28/p...
November 14, 2025 at 7:06 PM
benjiturnbull.bsky.social
Feeling some mixed-emotions.

It's almost a year since I 'graduated' with an MPhil after studying 10.5 years for a #PhD.

Friends, colleagues, online strangers were outraged and deeply sympathetic.

1/2

#phdlife #phdchat #phdvoice
November 14, 2025 at 6:59 PM
benjiturnbull.bsky.social
Missing placement day 5 of my #PGDE due to sickness.

Feel bad for doing so, and struggling to actively rest.

I am a terrible sick person.
November 6, 2025 at 11:50 AM
benjiturnbull.bsky.social
#Maths nerds:

Is a helix a simple spiral, like a line is a lil ear curve, or are they mathematically different objects?

#phdlife #phdchat #phdvoice
November 3, 2025 at 3:15 PM
benjiturnbull.bsky.social
Since August I've been doing a #PGDE to become a high school #Biology #Teacher.

Here're my reflections so far :)

Ask me anything :)

bencturnbull.wordpress.com/2025/10/28/p...
November 3, 2025 at 2:28 PM
benjiturnbull.bsky.social
Srs Q:

Why is " New paper out!" acceptable #scicom?

Shouldn't we be describing, in simple terms, the question, significance, findings, and future and not just announcing our achievements?

#phdlife #phdchat #phdvoice
October 28, 2025 at 9:33 PM
benjiturnbull.bsky.social
Nothing like a warm, jovial, academic comedy night to trigger your #PhD trauma.

Academia really needs a mechanism to prevent folks spending a decade of life on something only to be set up to fail.

1/2

#phdlife #phdchat #phdvoice
October 28, 2025 at 9:31 PM
benjiturnbull.bsky.social
#DNAReplication Q:
1) Why does DNA Primase make RNA primers?
2) Why can't DNA Polymerase start a DNA chain?

Both facts seems quite inefficient, is it a relic from RNA world?

#phdlife #phdchat #phdvoice
October 13, 2025 at 8:48 PM
benjiturnbull.bsky.social
If someone does a #PhD to their best under the guidance given, submits thesis corrections per the examiners outline and with input from their supervisor, and the have their degree downgraded...

What amount of fault is theirs?

AFAF 👀

#phdlife #phdchat #phdvoice
October 13, 2025 at 8:44 PM
benjiturnbull.bsky.social
#Evolution #Photosynthesis Q:
Why isn't green light used by the primary photosystems?

#phdlife #phdchat #phdvoice
October 6, 2025 at 3:11 PM
benjiturnbull.bsky.social
Rest in piece #JaneGoodall.

Modern legend of natural sciences.

Thank you for treating your animals with so much respect.
October 1, 2025 at 6:53 PM
benjiturnbull.bsky.social
First day of UG teaching this year and am nervous af.

Always am to meet my first years.

Plus, am feeling a lil overwhelmed by my current workload.

Hope y'all are doing well!

#phdlife #phdchat #phdvoice
September 22, 2025 at 6:39 AM
benjiturnbull.bsky.social
#PGDE Week4:

I've got 2 weeks of tasks to do, I'm quite overwhelmed.

Not sure how much is absolutely essential either.

Feeling a little lost.

#phdlife #phdchat #phdvoice
September 15, 2025 at 11:00 AM
benjiturnbull.bsky.social
#PGDE week3:
Between a stag do and now falling ill, am already behind the workload.

Feeling overwhelmed but it all, tbh.

#phdlife #phdchat #phdvoice
September 10, 2025 at 11:43 AM
benjiturnbull.bsky.social
Imagine how embarrassing it must be to outline to someone how to get a #PhD and then fail them when they do that.

💀

#phdlife #phdchat #phdvoice
September 5, 2025 at 8:23 PM
benjiturnbull.bsky.social
#ProudOfMe moment:

In L'Pool at a stag, last time I was here was a conference, I eagerly built bonds for a postdoc.

Last year, being back would've been triggering. After my #PhD being failed and postdoc ls now unavailable.

But am really enjoying myself. #Growth

#phdlife #phdchat #phdvoice
September 5, 2025 at 3:01 PM
benjiturnbull.bsky.social
Week1 of the #PGDE has been good.

Biggest revelation is how little attention I have now. Reading articles and taking notes is taking painfully long.

Hoping the weekly tasks will help train that.

#phdlife #phdchat #phdvoice
August 30, 2025 at 11:28 AM
benjiturnbull.bsky.social
I started a #PGDE which is a teaching training degree. In 2 years I'll be a high school Biology teacher.

Teaching was always the aim. But having the option of doing so in HE taken away from me sucks.

Ultimately, I'm now more nervous because what if it's not for me?

#phdlife #phdchat #phdvoice
August 27, 2025 at 9:23 AM
benjiturnbull.bsky.social
Potentially unpopular opinion:

If you're hiring but don't have the capacity to give feedback to your unsuccessful applicants, you shouldn't be hiring.

You could at least offer feedback by request...

#phdlife #phdchat #phdvoice
August 6, 2025 at 2:21 PM
benjiturnbull.bsky.social
My former department, whom did not set me up sufficiently to be awarded the #PhD I worked for, also awarded someone one after only 20 months.

A PhD is meant to literally represent 3 years of work...

#phdlife #phdchat #phdvoice
August 5, 2025 at 7:58 PM