Third CEPMLP PhD-Staff Seminar

'Steps to Securing your post-PhD Job' - Professor Raphael Heffron

Professor Heffron gave an enlightening presentation regarding tips for securing a post-PhD job. A critical point made was that PhD holders should be able to utilise the degree in any job market and be ready to evolve synchronously with the dynamism of today’s world. The key idea of a research degree is the application of research-based transferable skills. In order to gain and horn the necessary skills, scholars were encouraged to engage in seminar presentations, report writing and journal publications. PhD holders need to realise the skills gained transcend beyond academia and pertinent to a whole range of careers.

Professor Heffron also provided insights and tips for PhD students seeking to transition to academia such as developing the relevant skills required for academia through publications, teaching, seminar presentations, leadership and innovative thinking. PhD students should demonstrate knowledge of academic journals in the field and showcase their writing skills via journal contributions. More importantly, PhD should develop his/her teaching and research philosophy, methodology and theoretical perspective (view of the world that permeates through research).

Professor Heffron concluded with a profound quote: ‘The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short, but in setting our aim too low and achieving our mark (Michelangelo)’.

'Socio-Political Determinants of Corporate Social Responsibility and Tax Avoidance in Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Industry: Towards Developing a Monitoring Framework' - Haruna Isallah

Haruna Isallah gave a run-through of his proposed research study by explaining his research questions, the justification for research, methodology, proposed outline, literature review, project schedule and conclusion.

The objective of the study is to determine the effect of socio-political factors of motivation and method and how these factors interact to influence CSR on tax avoidance of the upstream oil and gas companies in Nigeria. CSR and tax avoidance practices provide essential indicators for the analysis of the corporate social behaviour of companies.

He proposes to use a mixed-method which will involve both qualitative and quantitative data. The outcome of the research will hopefully help in developing an integrated tax and sustainable development monitoring framework for monitoring CSR activities in order to avoid usage of such activities as tax avoidance schemes of the companies.

Dr Xiaoyi (Shawn) Mu coordinated the seminar.

Ivie Ehanmo (Reporter).