Support · All Summer · 2026

Your university closes for summer. We don't.

Supervisors disappear. Libraries go to reduced hours. Your cohort scatters. But your PhD does not stop. You still need structure, accountability, and someone to talk to about your work. This summer, we are here every day. A place to write, expert guidance when you are stuck, and 150+ researchers who understand exactly where you are.
Join the Common Room
50% off your first 2 months · 28-day money-back guarantee · Cancel anytime
Over 6,000 researchers supported since 2017
★★★★★
"The support never feels generic. It is thoughtful, practical, and consistently encouraging. It meets you exactly where you are."
What do you need this summer?

Four ways we can help

Daily Writing Sessions · Expert Workshops · Peer Community

The PhD Common Room

The accountability and routine your university lacks over the Summer. Show up, write alongside others, and stop wondering whether you are the only one still working.

You log on at 10am. Twenty other researchers are already there. You write for 90 minutes, take a break, come back in the afternoon. By the end of the week, you have written more than you did in the last month alone. Add in expert-led workshops, goal-setting sessions, office hours, and a community that notices when you are not there, and you have the support system your institution should have been providing all along.

WhatDaily writing sessions, workshops, goal setting, office hours, and an online community
WhenMorning and afternoon, every day, all summer, UK time
WhereLive on Zoom + community platform
ForPhD students at any stage, any subject, worldwide
From £30/month
50% off your first 2 months
Join the Common Room
28-day money-back guarantee · Cancel anytime
One-to-One · Flexible · No Contract

Coaching with Prof Jane Creaton

Your supervisor is away for the summer. Expert guidance does not have to be.

The conversation you have been putting off because your supervisor is not available. Whether you need someone to read your chapter, help you see what your argument actually is, or tell you honestly whether you are on the right track. Prof Jane Creaton has supervised doctoral researchers for over 25 years. She has seen every version of "stuck" and knows how to move you through it. No contract. No minimum. Book when you need it.

WhatOne-to-one sessions tailored to wherever you are stuck
WhenFlexible scheduling throughout summer
WhoProf Jane Creaton (Emeritus Professor, National Teaching Fellow, 25+ years supervising doctoral researchers)
ForAny PhD student who needs expert feedback, direction, or support
£85/hour
15% off for Common Room members
Enquire about coaching
Fill in a short form and we will be in touch to arrange a free call
All-Human Editing · CIEP Member · Track Changes Throughout

Proofreading

You have spent months writing this. The last thing you need is for a typo or an unclear argument to undermine the work.

Our editors hold PhDs themselves. They know what examiners look for. Every change is tracked, every suggestion explained, and there is no AI anywhere near your thesis. Whether you need a final polish before submission or deeper feedback on structure and argument, you get it back cleaner, sharper, and ready to defend.

WhatProofreading (spelling, grammar, consistency) or developmental editing (structure, argument, flow)
TurnaroundFrom 1 working day (express) or 2 working days (standard)
Range1,000 to 100,000 words
Guarantee100% money back if not satisfied
From £14.40per 1,000 words
Get a proofreading quote
100% money-back guarantee · 10% deposit to book
Practice Viva · Experienced Examiner

Mock Viva

Defending this autumn? Walk in knowing what to expect instead of dreading the unknown.

You know which questions are coming. You know where your argument is strongest and how to handle the parts you are less sure about. A full practice examination with an academic who has sat on the other side of the table, followed by detailed feedback on how to prepare for the real thing. Most students say the actual viva felt easier than the mock.

WhatFull mock viva examination with detailed feedback
WhoExperienced academic examiner
WhereLive on Zoom
ForPhD students preparing for their viva voce
£295
Find out more and book
Book a free call to discuss your needs

Planning ahead?

Two things coming this autumn for those of you thinking about the next stage.
4-Day Writing Intensive

Autumn Thesis Bootcamp

Four protected days to draft a full thesis chapter, alongside 25 other late-stage PhD students. Prep workshop, intensive writing, editing workshop afterwards.

Dates to be confirmed · Live on Zoom
205 five-star reviews · average 13,500 words per participant
£195
Find out more
4-Week Live Programme · Starts 10 September

Building the Foundations of Your Doctoral Research

Four interactive 90-minute sessions walking you through the entire research proposal process, from initial idea to complete proposal. Led by Dr Max Lempriere and Dr Simon Pratt-Adams.

Thursdays, 12:00–1:30pm UK · 10 Sept to 1 Oct 2026
Live on Zoom · All disciplines welcome
£195
Book Doctoral Foundations

The numbers

Nine years of helping doctoral researchers write, finish, and defend their theses.

6,000+
researchers supported
150+
active community members
2017
founded

What our members say

Questions you might have

Can I join just for the summer?
Yes. There is no contract and no minimum commitment. You can cancel anytime from your account. If you join and decide it is not for you within 28 days, you get a full refund.
What is included in membership?
A reason to show up and write every day. Twice-daily writing sessions on Zoom, expert-led workshops, goal-setting sessions, office hours, a full library of recordings, and an online community of researchers at every stage. From £30/month. The Guided Tier (£75/month) adds weekly one-to-one office hours.
Is the community active over summer?
Yes. Writing sessions run every morning and afternoon. Workshops continue. Office hours continue. If anything, summer is when the community matters most, because it is the time of year when everything else goes quiet.
What if I am not at the writing stage yet?
The Common Room supports PhD students at every stage, from first year to final corrections. The writing sessions are for any kind of PhD work, not just writing. Coaching is fully flexible and meets you where you are. The Doctoral Foundations programme starting in September is specifically designed for early-stage researchers.
How does the 28-day guarantee work?
Join the Common Room, attend sessions, use the community. If it is not for you within 28 days, let us know and you will receive a full refund. No questions asked. We have the guarantee because we are confident you will stay.
I am not based in the UK.
Everything runs live on Zoom. Writing sessions and workshops run on UK time (morning sessions around 10am, afternoon around 2pm). We have members from across the world. Check the times work for your timezone before joining. Book a free call if you would like to talk it through.

Your PhD does not stop for summer

Structure when your university offers none. People who understand when everyone else has gone. A reason to show up and write, every single day.

Join the Common Room
50% off your first 2 months · 28-day money-back guarantee