My graduation photos at Waseda University wonderfully captured by Kyotolens
Note: This GNote is based on my X thread posted last 30 April 2024.
Hi friends! For this next GNote, I’ll be sharing my PhD journey at Waseda University and how I successfully defended my thesis. My defense was conducted online, and while every PhD defense is shaped by the academic culture and institutional norms, I hope my experiences and reflections can provide some insight for those who are preparing for their own defense.
In Japanese academia, particularly at Waseda, PhD students know who their committee members are in advance. My defense panel consisted of four faculty members, all from Waseda, except for one external examiner from a different graduate school.
The minimum duration to complete a PhD in Japan is three years, and since I was funded by the MEXT scholarship, which only covers three years of study, I put significant pressure on myself to finish within that timeframe. I began my PhD in September 2021 and graduated in September 2024.
Another key aspect of Japanese academia, similar to the US system, is the research seminar or “zemi” system. A zemi is a research group led by a professor who supervises multiple students. In my case, my zemi had around 10-15 PhD students.
5 Key Reflections on My PhD Journey
- I knew what I wanted to research
One of the biggest advantages I had was that I had a clear research direction from the start. I expanded my MA thesis on Indigenous inclusive education into a broader PhD project. This made it much easier to:
- Build on existing research
- Gather data efficiently
- Maintain continuity with my informants
My research came from a place of passion and advocacy, specifically ensuring Indigenous peoples in the Philippines have access to quality education. I built my literature review around this central theme, which gave me a solid foundation early on.
- I built strong relationships with my thesis supervisor and deputy supervisor
I was lucky that my PhD supervisor was also my MA supervisor, so we already had an established working relationship. He was instrumental in securing my research funding and travel grants for conferences, which helped me grow as a scholar.
However, I also made an effort to connect with my deputy supervisor, who was the sole expert in education at my graduate school. I proactively:
- Attended his zemi in addition to my home zemi
- Took his courses to understand his teaching and feedback style
This extra effort helped when it came to gaining his support for my defense and navigating my dissertation with two different academic perspectives.
That being said, my main supervisor had a “hands-off” approach, meaning he gave students the freedom to manage their own PhD journey. This worked well for me, but it also meant that I had to be self-disciplined and take charge of my timeline.
- I created my own PhD timeline from day one
While my graduate school provided a general timeline, I found it too broad, so I created a personalized timeline that fit my research and writing schedule. I even:
- Printed it on A3 paper and pasted it on my wall
- Tracked milestones to stay motivated
This approach gave me a clear roadmap, ensuring I hit key deadlines while managing my workload efficiently. Download my PhD timeline [here].
- I presented my research at every possible conference
Whenever I had the opportunity (and funding!), I presented my work at both international and local conferences. This was valuable for multiple reasons:
- Increased my research visibility
- Helped me practice public speaking and answering tough questions
- Allowed me to network with scholars, students, and practitioners
The feedback I received from these conferences refined my arguments and strengthened my confidence for the defense. Plus, let’s be real—getting to travel while doing research? A definite perk!
- I prepared my defense slides and manuscript a month in advance
I started preparing one month before my defense, using TheDayBefore countdown app to hype myself up. Here’s how I made sure I was fully prepared:
- Condensed my slides to make them clear and impactful
- Practiced with a non-academic friend to ensure clarity
- Avoided jargon! I wanted my research to be accessible to a broad audience
As a visual learner, I also used sticky notes on my wall to remind myself of key points, self-reflections, and motivation. This helped me stay focused and confident leading up to the big day.
Work-Life Balance as a PhD Student
Surprisingly, my work-life balance was manageable, thanks to the hands-off approach of my supervisor. I chose to work in part-time jobs that did not each much of my time, this includes a consultancy job at UNU and project-based job orders. With these, I was able to:
- Work on my own research at my own pace
- Take breaks when needed without feeling guilty
- Actually enjoy my PhD journey (which isn’t always the case for PhD students!)
Final Thoughts
Reflecting on my three-year PhD journey, I realize that the key to passing my thesis defense was a mix of:
- Clear research direction and passion for my topic
- Strong relationships with my supervisors
- Self-discipline in managing my time and deadlines
- Active participation in conferences to refine my work
- Thorough preparation for the defense itself
If you’re a PhD student whether preparing for your own defense or still figuring out your research topic, I hope my experience provides some insight and encouragement. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions. I wish you all the best in your PhD journeys!
