Philosopher Joshua Smart writes:

Virtual Dissertation Groups (VDG) will be running again this June – August. The VDG sign-up form is open for this summer’s groups through Saturday, June 6^th.

What it is: Virtual Dissertation Groups is a free service for those currently working on their doctoral dissertations in philosophy departments (or philosophy of science or the like). Since 2014, VDG has connected students from over 30 countries to provide low-stakes peer feedback on dissertation work with a minimal time commitment.

How it works: Dissertators are organized into groups of three, based on information provided about their project/area of work. Once a month for June-August, one of the members takes a turn sending work from their dissertation (3k–6k words) to the other two for feedback. (Feedback is typically in the form of written comments, though some groups choose to have video discussions.)

Why it’s good: While advisors and committees are important, it can be incredibly helpful to discuss one’s work with peers in a lower-stakes environment, and particularly enlightening to do so with those who have a different approach, outlook, or focus. There is even some evidence from psychology that thinking about problems in relation to geographically distant persons can promote creative insights. With students at a variety of programs and from around the world, VDG is a great way to capture some of these benefits!

Signing up is easy, just fill out a few brief questions on your project at the VDG sign-up form. Hope to see you there!