The Prosperous PhD
Secrets to Success from Top Supervisors
Published on 24. February 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
312 pages
978-1-4875-5215-2 (ISBN)
Description
A go-to resource for the PhD journey, The Prosperous PhD sets doctoral students on a path of healthy progress that helps them avoid the all-too-familiar pitfalls of program burnout and withdrawal.
With over 140 pieces of insightful wisdom from expert supervisors representing 45 institutions across eight countries, this book provides diverse perspectives to address themes of "Fostering Relationships," Seeking Balance," and "Focusing on Growth," among others. The advice points to attainable goals for any graduate student with concrete strategies to help achieve them. These lessons are taken a step further through dozens of detailed exercises that help graduate students apply the book's principles and better their lives.
The Prosperous PhD encompasses the gamut of graduate student experiences, tribulations, dilemmas, and decisions - from choosing a supervisor and a topic to writing up a dissertation to finding life balance, navigating departmental politics, and becoming an autonomous, happy researcher. Readers can study the book from start to finish to gain a holistic picture of the doctoral journey or select individual chapters to find the perfect piece of advice for their particular stage or challenge.
Created by a team with extensive experience on both sides of the doctoral journey - as PhD students and supervisors - this book is a student-friendly, practical guide that will propel readers towards a more prosperous PhD.
With over 140 pieces of insightful wisdom from expert supervisors representing 45 institutions across eight countries, this book provides diverse perspectives to address themes of "Fostering Relationships," Seeking Balance," and "Focusing on Growth," among others. The advice points to attainable goals for any graduate student with concrete strategies to help achieve them. These lessons are taken a step further through dozens of detailed exercises that help graduate students apply the book's principles and better their lives.
The Prosperous PhD encompasses the gamut of graduate student experiences, tribulations, dilemmas, and decisions - from choosing a supervisor and a topic to writing up a dissertation to finding life balance, navigating departmental politics, and becoming an autonomous, happy researcher. Readers can study the book from start to finish to gain a holistic picture of the doctoral journey or select individual chapters to find the perfect piece of advice for their particular stage or challenge.
Created by a team with extensive experience on both sides of the doctoral journey - as PhD students and supervisors - this book is a student-friendly, practical guide that will propel readers towards a more prosperous PhD.
Reviews / Votes
"Empowering and insightful, The Prosperous PhD is a must-have guide for doctoral students seeking balance, growth, and success. Drawing on the wisdom of over seventy experienced supervisors across eight countries, this book offers practical strategies, reflective exercises, and diverse perspectives to support every stage of the PhD journey. A transformative resource for thriving, not just surviving your PhD." - Priscilla Johanesen, Professor and Associate Dean (Research Training), Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University"I always tell new PhD students that they need sources of advice beyond their own supervisors - a big ask for many people because the only mentors they know are their own. Now that this book exists, I'll tell them to buy it!" - Inger Mewburn, Professor and Director of Researcher Development, The Australian National University and Creator, The Thesis Whisperer
"Through this collection, doctoral candidates can lean into the vast experience of many supervisors and peers. A treasure chest of reflections highlights common steps, pitfalls, and the importance of self-care and development. No two PhD journeys are the same, and whatever your purpose in pursuing a PhD, there is something here to encourage, support, and inform thinking and planning for success." - Tina Ramkalawan, Professor, Brunel University of London, and Vice-Chair, UK Council for Graduate Education
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Toronto
Canada
Target group
College/higher education
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
3 illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 138 mm
Width: 216 mm
Thickness: 24 mm
Weight
396 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4875-5215-2 (9781487552152)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Judy Wearing is the lead learning architect at OpusVi Inc. She holds two PhDs, the first in biology from the University of Oxford and the second in education from Queen's University.
Christopher DeLuca holds a PhD in education from Queen's University where he now serves as a professor and director of the Assessment and Evaluation Group in the Faculty of Education.
Stephen MacGregor is an assistant professor of educational leadership, policy, and governance and the director of experiential learning at the University of Calgary's Werklund School of Education.
Christopher DeLuca holds a PhD in education from Queen's University where he now serves as a professor and director of the Assessment and Evaluation Group in the Faculty of Education.
Stephen MacGregor is an assistant professor of educational leadership, policy, and governance and the director of experiential learning at the University of Calgary's Werklund School of Education.
Content
Chapter 1: Beginning: The Doctoral Journey
Chapter 2: Make Wise Choices
Chapter 3: Foster Relationships
Chapter 4: Manage Your Project
Chapter 5: Seek Balance
Chapter 6: Focus on What Matters
Chapter 7: Cultivate a Growth Mindset
Chapter 8: Believe in Yourself
Chapter 9: Onwards
Contributors
Chapter 2: Make Wise Choices
Chapter 3: Foster Relationships
Chapter 4: Manage Your Project
Chapter 5: Seek Balance
Chapter 6: Focus on What Matters
Chapter 7: Cultivate a Growth Mindset
Chapter 8: Believe in Yourself
Chapter 9: Onwards
Contributors