Cindy Callens

28, Belgian, PhD student in Plant Genetics at Uni of Nottingham and Uni of Adelaide! Science twitter account 🤓🌸🌱 @_CindyCallens for book reviews/crafts

[Cindy Callens @CallensCindy]

@ScienceAllyF @DrJoelleG @JKRobson_sci @mariekomrsova @Plantyperson @stelwards Oh oops, missed this one! Here are my three facts:
1. I played quidditch and am still involved in the community.
2. I’ve met most of my favourite authors at parties because of my review blog.
3. I spend my nights making cross stitch versions of bookcovers.

[Cindy Callens @CallensCindy]

@SjonHartman I have to admit, I did quite a few droppings. Loved them!

[Cindy Callens @CallensCindy]

Countdown to thesis hand-in has now officially begun! Two months left 😱

[Cindy Callens @CallensCindy]

@alexandergware That’s awesome 😱

[Cindy Callens @CallensCindy]

I can’t believe it’s already over. What an amazing three days! Thank you to my fellow organisers and everyone who came to #EPSR2019 🎉

[EPSR2019 @epsr2019]

And that’s it from us... We had an amazing time and that’s all because of our absolutely lovely attendees. A big thank you to everyone who came and we hope to see you all last year! #EPSR2019

[Sjon Hartman @SjonHartman]

Thanks so much on behalf of everyone at #EPSR2019 to the organizing committee of @epsr2019 for doing an amazing job!

[Cindy Callens @CallensCindy]

😍

[EPSR2019 @epsr2019]

The last day of #EPSR2019 and look at this beautiful bunch of people who have made this conference absolutely amazing!

[Cindy Callens @CallensCindy]

@ronaldpierik *was not

[Cindy Callens @CallensCindy]

@ronaldpierik Of course not and it was put forward as such. It was mentioned as one potential reason that had been discussed.

[Cindy Callens @CallensCindy]

@LRwhisperer As far as I know stipend increases every year. Living expenses are not unusually high, on par with countries where PhD students get far less.

[Cindy Callens @CallensCindy]

@GelderenKasper @MaddySeale @ThisSunOfYork @Vermeer_Lab @LauraAzolla @epsr2019 Equivalent to UK starting postdocs. It was put forward as one hypothesis of an alarming increase in PhDs quitting before writing up there (to earn more money without interest in getting a PhD). As said, this was only ONE reason put forward as there are a diverse set of reasons.

[Cindy Callens @CallensCindy]

@GelderenKasper @MaddySeale @ThisSunOfYork @Vermeer_Lab @LauraAzolla @epsr2019 Just jumping in here to say that this was not put in the right context/phrasing. I have explained elsewhere for people who want to clarify. The point is that in that particular context starting PhDs get more than private/public. (1/2)

[Cindy Callens @CallensCindy]

@LRwhisperer The context of this statement was in a very specific country/situation where the starting salary of PhD students is very high and there had been a significant increase in people never writing up. This was put forward of one hypothesis that could contribute to that.

[Cindy Callens @CallensCindy]

Retweeting this to emphasise the importance of context and full info on twitter. This took on a life of itself without the whole story. Let’s stay away from things that could make a debate toxic. Especially on social media.

[Cindy Callens @CallensCindy]

@Mini_Moggy @LauraAzolla @epsr2019 The statement was put forward as just one hypothesis out of several on the steady rise of PhD students not finishing in a very specific country and situation. Something which should have been mentioned.

[Cindy Callens @CallensCindy]

@GelderenKasper @LauraAzolla @epsr2019 This is a stipend that is not taxed, so 2200 eur net.

[Cindy Callens @CallensCindy]

@Mini_Moggy @LauraAzolla @epsr2019 This is one hypothesis because the pay for PhD students in this situation is substantially higher than starting salaries in other jobs.

[Cindy Callens @CallensCindy]

@Mini_Moggy @LauraAzolla @epsr2019 The statement was put forward as just one hypothesis out of several on the steady rise of PhD students not finishing in a very specific country and situation. Something which should have been mentioned.

[Cindy Callens @CallensCindy]

@LauraAzolla @tvanbutselaar @epsr2019 Totally agree, it’s an added stress when you have to finish your PhD AND worry about how you’re going to pay next month’s rent. More support for PhD students in many different ways (mental health, writing, regular one-on-one discussions etc) could already be a step forward.

[Cindy Callens @CallensCindy]

@LauraAzolla @tvanbutselaar @epsr2019 Pay for PhD students varies between countries as well. I personally think getting a stipend is necessary and the stipend in the UK should not be any less. We need to pay rent, bills, for food etc. Here pay stops after a set time. That’s motivation enough to finish in time!