A note for future PhD students
A note for future PhD students
(This note is a note for future PhD students. Although there are some important differences in research at PhD level and at MDes by Research level, prospective MDes by Research students may also benefit from this note. This note is based on my experiences only. These are not official policies of IDC or IITB. Also, I am not an expert. Just like you, I too am learning. I give no guarantees. I only mean to help. Hope it helps.)
So you want to do a PhD? Great. Based on my experience with guiding PhD students, and given where we are with the PhD programme in IDC, I believe that there are three important ingredients for doing a PhD: topic, expertise and time. Here are some thoughts about these.Â
If you don't have a topic yet, don't worry. You are not the only one. Many people don't have a topic when they start. Some people believe that they have a topic, but they don't. For example, they think that they want to do a PhD in Design, HCI or UX. None of these are a topic. Some people are more specific. They say that they want to do a PhD in "text input" or "supporting health among the elderly". While these are narrower than HCI or UX, these are still very broad areas within which several people (including many PhD students) have done research. See below for the topics that I am willing to guide PhD students on, and read on to know what else is involved, once you have a topic.
It is not enough to have identified a topic. You also need expertise. In here I am folding in many concepts -- creativity, analytical ability, ability to work independently, ability to work in a team, reading, writing etc.
Expertise comes in (at least) two things. Firstly, you need to be pretty good in that topic before you start your PhD. This surprises a lot of applicants to our PhD programme. They say to me, "Oh, I thought I could learn about the topic after I start my PhD." To them I say, "If I would love to do a PhD in neuro-surgery, but I don't know anything about it, do you think any medical college will let me start my PhD?" They usually get this, and I hope you get this also. While you are always learning, and you will definitely learn a lot about your topic, you need to be pretty good at the topic to begin with. So if you are interested in doing a PhD with me in some of the topics that I listed below, I expect that you have read ALL the papers that our group has written related to that topic so far, and MORE papers related to that topic that other researchers have done elsewhere. And I expect that you have read all this BEFORE you apply. There will be a lot else to read after you apply.
In addition to being good in your topic, you also need to be pretty good in doing research. Reading papers is one thing, and actually doing the things they report is another. Thankfully, this is a lot easier to learn now than earlier. For example, look out for doing research methods courses here, or a summer school such as this one. There is a lot more similar material available from other sources that you can consider. Again, you will do some courses on research methods when you start your PhD, but it is always good to know what you are getting into BEFORE you apply. In fact, I recommend that you do a small research project and try to get it published at a conference. Even if you get a rejected paper (which could happen), this experience is helpful in taking the next step. It is like getting into the baby pool before getting into the big swimming pool.
The third most important ingredient for a PhD is time. While there is no perfect age for doing a PhD (our PhD students' age ranges from 24 to 60), when you apply for a PhD, you should be ready to give it time. A lot of time.
The first year usually goes in doing coursework, in fine-tuning the topic and getting a committee for yourself. After you have cleared the first year, have a well-fine-tuned topic, and after you have identified your guide and two more research progress committee members, you still need more time. My estimate is about 6,000 hours. This, of course, is an estimate. It could be done in 5,000 hours (unlikely) but also might take 8,000 hours (more likely). Let us assume 6,000 hours for now.
Does this mean that if you spend about 60 hours a week, you could do a PhD in 2 years after your first year? (60x50x2 = 6000). Or, if you spend 40 hours a week, you can do it in 3 years after the first year? (40x50x3 = 6000). Or, if you are doing a job while doing the PhD, and if you spend 30 hours a week, you will be able to do it in 4 years after the first year? (30x50x4 = 6000). In theory, yes. In practice, there are many things this depends on.
Firstly, it depends on your topic, how well-tuned it is, your expertise in that topic, and your expertise with research methods. It depends on how much trial and error you need to do before getting things right. Secondly, almost nobody can spend 60, 40, or even 30 hours a week, week-after-week for several years. You take breaks, sometimes long breaks.
Thirdly, other things happen in this period. For example, people who are doing their jobs (note: I don't call them part-time PhD students - a PhD is never part time), there will be periods when the job will demand time. Even PhD students who don't have another job still tend to do other things. They take more courses. They act as teaching assistants in their guide's courses. They attend or organise conferences (good job). They help colleagues do other research unconnected to their PhD (a good practice - particularly considering that you might need help from others, and this is what helps you become really good at research).
Fourthly, life events happen. Incredibly, even after you register for a PhD, life goes on. The sun rises and sets. Tides come and go. The cycle of birth and rebirth continues. A housing loan is due. People get married. People get pregnant. Babies are born. Kids go in Std. X. A family member becomes sick. (These are just the things that have happened to me during my PhD or to my PhD students during their PhD so far. Other things could happen.)
Often, time is ingredient in a PhD that applicants underestimate the most. And yet, it is easiest to understand. I have been asked, can I spend 15 hours a week to do my PhD. In theory, yes. It will take you 8+1 years. Currently, IIT Bombay does not permit such a plan, asking students to finish in 5-6 years. But even if it did allow, is it sustainable? What is to say that you will not change your mind 5 years? What is to say that your guide will not change his/her mind in 5 years?
So, if you are still with me till here, you might be interested in the topics that interest me. These, I will discuss next.
Topics that our group works on change from year to year. Here are links to summaries from recent topic workshops that our group has done with / for prospective PhD students. Each workshop does not cover everything that is going on in the lab, but it will give you an idea about the kind of topics. Please note that the these documents are not publicly available. Some information in these documents is not yet ready for public consumption. But if you are interested in doing a PhD with me, please write to me a note requesting for access. Also include information about your background and what draws you to a PhD in Design.
In addition, the following research topic descriptions for MDes by Research are publicly available. Though these are MDes by Research topics, some of have potential to be extended as PhD topics:
MDes by Research Topcis for 2025-2026 intake (in this document, the following topics were floated by me)
Text input in Indian languages (webinar recording)
Usable security for emergent users (webinar recording)
This writeup was updated on 1-4-2019 and on 3-10-2025.