dissertation supervisor problems

Dissertation Advisor 101

How to get the most from the student-supervisor relationship

By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Expert Reviewer: Dr Eunice Rautenbach | January 2024

Many students feel a little intimidated by the idea of having to work with a research advisor (or supervisor) to complete their dissertation or thesis. Similarly, many students struggle to “connect” with their advisor and feel that the relationship is somewhat strained or awkward. But this doesn’t need to be the case!

In this post, we’ll share five tried and tested tips to help you get the most from this relationship and pave the way for a smoother dissertation writing process.

Overview: Working With Your Advisor

• Clarify everyone’s roles on day one
• Establish (and stick to) a regular communication cycle
• Develop a clear project plan upfront
• Be proactive in engaging with problems
• Navigate conflict like a diplomat

1. Clarify roles on day one

Each university will have slightly different expectations, rules and norms in terms of the research advisor’s role. Similarly, each advisor will have their own unique way of doing things. So, it’s always a good idea to begin the engagement process by clearly defining the roles and expectations in your relationship.

In practical terms, we suggest that you initiate a conversation at the very start of the engagement to discuss your goals, their expectations, and how they would like to work with you. Of course, you might not like what you hear in this conversation. However, this sort of candid conversation will help you get on the same page as early as possible and set the stage for a successful partnership.

To help you get started, here are some questions that you might consider asking in your initial conversation:

• How often would you like to meet and for how long?
• What should I do to prepare for each meeting?
• What aspects of my work will you comment on (and what won’t you cover)?
• Which key decisions should I seek your approval for beforehand?
• What common mistakes should I try to avoid from the outset?
• How can I help make this partnership as effective as possible?
• My academic goals are… Do you have any suggestions at this stage to help me achieve this?

As you can see, these types of questions help you get a clear idea of how you’ll work together and how to get the most from the relatively limited face time you’ll have.

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2. Establish a regular communication cycle

Just like in any relationship, effective communication is crucial to making the student-supervisor relationship work. So, you should aim to establish a regular meeting schedule and stick to it. Don’t cancel or reschedule appointments with your advisor at short notice, or do anything that suggests you don’t value their time. Fragile egos are not uncommon in the academic world, so it’s important to clearly demonstrate that you value and respect your supervisor’s time and effort .

Practically speaking, be sure to prepare for each meeting with a clear agenda , including your progress, challenges, and any questions you have. Be open and honest in your communication, but most importantly, be receptive to your supervisor’s feedback . Ultimately, part of their role is to tell you when you’re missing the mark. So, don’t become upset or defensive when they criticise a specific aspect of your work.

Always remember that your research advisor is criticising your work, not you personally . It’s never easy to take negative feedback, but this is all part of the learning journey that takes place alongside the research journey.

3. Have a clear project plan

Few things will impress your supervisor more than a well-articulated, realistic plan of action (aka, a project plan). Investing the time to develop this shows that you take your project (and by extension, the relationship) seriously. It also helps your supervisor understand your intended timeline, which allows the two of you to better align your schedules .

In practical terms, you need to develop a project plan with achievable goals . A detailed Gantt chart can be a great way to do this. Importantly, you’ll need to break down your thesis or dissertation into a collection of practical, manageable steps , and set clear timelines and milestones for each. Once you’ve done that, you should regularly review and adjust this plan with your supervisor to ensure that you remain on track.

Of course, it’s unlikely that you’ll stick to your plan 100% of the time (there are always unexpected twists and turns in a research project. However, this plan will lay a foundation for effective collaboration between yourself and your supervisor. An imperfect plan beats no plan at all.

4. Engage with problems proactively

One surefire way to quickly annoy your advisor is to pester them every time you run into a problem in your dissertation or thesis. Unexpected challenges are par for the course when it comes to research – how you deal with them is what makes the difference.

When you encounter a problem, resist the urge to immediately send a panicked email to your supervisor – no matter how massive the issue may seem (at the time). Instead, take a step back and assess the situation as holistically as possible. Force yourself to sit with the issue for at least a few hours to ensure that you have a clear, accurate assessment of the issue at hand. In most cases, a little time, distance and deep breathing will reveal that the problem is not the existential threat it initially seemed to be.

When contacting your supervisor, you should ideally present both the problem and one or two potential solutions . The latter is the most important part here. In other words, you need to show that you’ve engaged with the issue and applied your mind to finding potential solutions. Granted, your solutions may miss the mark. However, providing some sort of solution beats impulsively throwing the problem at your supervisor and hoping that they’ll save the day.

Simply put, mishaps and mini-crises in your research journey present an opportunity to demonstrate your initiative and problem-solving skills – not a reason to lose your cool and outsource the problem to your supervisor.

5. Navigate conflict like a diplomat 

As with any partnership, there’s always the possibility of some level of disagreement or conflict arising within the student-supervisor relationship. Of course, you can drastically reduce the likelihood of this happening by implementing some of the points we mentioned earlier. Neverthless, if a serious disagreement does arise between you and your supervisor, it’s absolutely essential that you approach it with professionalism and respect . Never let it escalate into a shouting contest.

In practical terms, it’s important to communicate your concerns as they arise (don’t let things simmer for too long). Simultaneously, it’s essential that you remain open to understanding your supervisor’s perspective – don’t become entrenched in your position. After all, you are the less experienced researcher within this duo.

Keep in mind that a lot of context is lost in text-based communication , so it can often be a good idea to schedule a short call to discuss your concerns or points of contention, rather than sending a 3000-word email essay. When going this route, be sure to take the time to prepare a clear, cohesive argument beforehand – don’t just “thought vomit” on your supervisor.

In the event that you do have a significant disagreement with your advisor, remember that the goal is to find a solution that serves your project (not your ego). This often requires compromise and flexibility. A “win at all costs” mindset is definitely not suitable here. Ultimately, you need to solve the problem, while still maintaining the relationship .

If you feel that you have already exhausted all possible avenues and still can’t find an acceptable middle ground, you can of course reach out to your university to ask for their assistance. However, this should be the very last resort . Running to your university every time there’s a small disagreement will not serve you well.

Recap: Key Takeaways

To sum up, a fruitful student-supervisor relationship hinges on clear role definition , effective and regular communication , strategic planning , proactive engagement , and professional conflict resolution .

Remember, your dissertation supervisor is there to help you, but you still need to put in the work . In many cases, they’ll also be the first marker of your work, so it really pays to put in the effort and build a strong, functional relationship with them.

Psst... there’s more!

This post was based on one of our popular Research Bootcamps . If you're working on a research project, you'll definitely want to check this out ...

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How to get the most from your dissertation supervisor

(Last updated: 12 May 2021)

Since 2006, Oxbridge Essays has been the UK’s leading paid essay-writing and dissertation service

We have helped 10,000s of undergraduate, Masters and PhD students to maximise their grades in essays, dissertations, model-exam answers, applications and other materials. If you would like a free chat about your project with one of our UK staff, then please just reach out on one of the methods below.

Working with a supervisor on your own research project at dissertation level offers a very different relationship from the student-tutor relationship you might be more used to – and more comfortable with. It's a relationship that demands clarity and understanding, but that can develop (and challenge!) both your academic and interpersonal skills. Here are some tips on getting the most out of your relationship with your dissertation supervisor.

Choosing the right supervisor

If you're an undergraduate (and perhaps even a Master's student) you may find that your supervisor is chosen for you, based on a broad match with your dissertation topic. For most PhD students and some Master's students, however, choosing your dissertation supervisor will be one of the most important early decisions you make, and it will impact both the direction of your research and the shape of your dissertation. Here are some of the questions you should ask yourself about your prospective supervisor (you can even ask some of them directly to the prospective supervisor, provided you deploy a degree of tact in doing so) to ensure you'll get the most out of your working relationship.

This question gets more important the higher the level of your dissertation. While you can expect most academics to have a broad familiarity with their field, it's not reasonable to expect that everybody in your wider field has a detailed knowledge of the theories, frameworks, and texts you'll use in your own work. And given the other demands on their time, it's also unreasonable to expect a supervisor to familiarise themselves with the work of fifty or a hundred scholars before they even start to read your work! Senior academics are likely to be upfront and refuse to supervise you if they lack the expertise to do so. But academics new to the profession may enthusiastically agree to supervise a project even if they're ill-equipped to provide the necessary level of critique. It's your responsibility to be both discerning and reasonable about your expectations.

You and your dissertation supervisor absolutely don't have to agree on everything – and disagreements can be enormously constructive (see below). However, there are also some approaches to the same field that are fundamentally incompatible. By all means pick a supervisor who will challenge your assumptions, but not someone who is ideologically opposed to everything you do before you start doing it.

By now you should "know yourself" sufficiently to be able to identify what you want in a supervisor. Are you a procrastinator in need of a "hands-on" supervisor who will give you strict deadlines for the delivery of outlines and chapters? Or are you highly self-motivated and content to work with a "hands-off" dissertation supervisor who will read your work when you ask them to do so, but not bug you otherwise? Also ask yourself about their style of grading papers – are they generous with praise at the expense of constructive feedback? Do they offer detailed, constructive feedback on how you can make your work better, or do you find their comments picky and overbearing? And, just as importantly, do you tend to get motivated or deflated by the sight of red pen decorating your work?

Popular supervisors may be supervising a high number of dissertations at any one time, potentially reducing the time they have to spend on you. On the other hand, if an academic has no supervisees at all, there might be a reason for that.

Working with your supervisor

It's important to realise that you and your supervisor will need to develop a working relationship based on trust and a shared understanding of what each expects from the other. The exact shape your working relationship takes will depend on your individual working patterns – and the subject area you're working in – but here are some useful pointers to consider

Work with, not for , your supervisor

No doubt you're used to taking modules at university and completing tasks, assignments and exams to pass those modules. You'll have become accustomed to a certain model of working: your tutor gives you direction and instruction, and you complete the assignments to satisfy their requirements. It can be easy, especially for undergraduates, to fall into this familiar pattern when working with a dissertation supervisor. But, although your dissertation will have to meet rigorous assessment criteria set by your department, you shouldn't think about your dissertation supervisor as the tutor for whom you're completing the work. Think of your supervisor instead as a teammate with whom you're working towards completing a goal – an original, rewarding piece of research.

As with any time you're working in a team, you'll need to provide what you're asked for – whether that's a draft of a chapter, a full dissertation outline, or just a set of research questions – when you're asked for it, because another member of your team requires it in order to fulfil their role in the collective endeavour. But don't forget the other important aspect of teamwork. Be clear about what you'd like your teammate to offer you at each step along the way. If you ask your supervisor to look at an early draft, make sure you're explicit about what kind of feedback you're seeking; if you were just looking for confirmation you're "on the right track" structurally, but your draft is full of factual and grammatical errors, it's not going to feel good for anyone when your supervisor assumes that it's a near-final version and rips it to pieces.

Engage your supervisor early

Many supervisors will insist that you meet frequently during the planning stages of your project, especially if you're writing an undergraduate dissertation. But if your supervisor is particularly "hands-off", they may not insist on these early meetings, so it's your job to do so! Involving your supervisor in the planning stages of your dissertation is essential, and will prevent you from making errors that take a great deal of time to fix later, or simply producing a dissertation that your supervisor fundamentally dislikes. Your supervisor will be able to recommend lots of readings for your literature review , and will help you develop a methodology that is robust, well-grounded and theoretically sound, and that – where applicable – adheres to the required ethics standards. If you and your supervisor are in sync about the grounding and methodology of your project, any disagreements that follow are liable to be of the productive rather than the destructive kind!

Meet with your dissertation supervisor frequently, and give them work little and often

Few things are more disheartening than delivering a 5000-word chapter to your supervisor and being told that you need to rewrite almost all of it, because your premise was flawed. It's best to get into the habit of checking in with your dissertation supervisor frequently to discuss where you plan on going next. If you're stuck, your supervisor may be able to help you frame an argument, or transition from one to another. Or they might point you to a couple of sources who will help you make the argument you're trying to make.

Most importantly, you needn't feel that you should only give your supervisor finished or polished work. This is one of the key ways in which a supervisor differs from a tutor, and one of the key reasons why you need to resist thinking of them as such. You shouldn't, of course, give your supervisor sloppy work that you simply haven't bothered to proofread and that is littered with spelling and grammar mistakes. But you can hand in draft introductions or in-process sections with development notes, provided you clearly communicate what it is you're giving your supervisor and what you expect them to do with it.

Disagree – but productively!

You and your supervisor absolutely don't have to agree on everything; academia is based on lively discussion and creative disagreement. Your supervisor is bound to disagree with at least some of what you write – whether it's an interpretation of an individual source or your entire conclusion. It's true that a minority of academics can be dogmatic, and if it becomes evident that your dissertation supervisor is in search of a disciple rather than a student, there may be a problem in your relationship.

If your supervisor is a particularly distinguished academic in their field, it can feel very intimidating to have them argue with you, and it's very tempting to simply back down. Sometimes that's also the right call – knowing when you're wrong and need to change direction is a skill you need to acquire as an emerging academic! Just as often, though, what feels like pressure to simply agree with your supervisor's way of seeing things is actually a challenge, to address counter-arguments in your dissertation and make your work more robust as a result. If you still think your argument is strong even after your supervisor has presented their own reasoning, appropriate that reasoning into your argument, and address head-on why you still believe your interpretation is better. If in doubt, ask your dissertation supervisor directly: do you think I'm just wrong here, or do I need to do more to convince you?

If all else fails… switch!

In the unlikely event that something goes wrong – perhaps you've realised too late that your supervisor simply wants you to write an entirely different dissertation from the one you're writing, or you find their feedback impenetrable and demoralising, or they're too busy to meet with you for weeks at a time – you may decide that you need to switch supervisors. Try talking this out with your dissertation supervisor first, and then approach your head of department.

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Working with Your Dissertation Supervisor

Writing a dissertation for dummies.

Sign up for the Dummies Beta Program to try Dummies' newest way to learn.

The role of the dissertation supervisor is to guide you through the process of your research project. Your supervisor may or may not have taught you before, but what’s certain is that she’s done a dissertation (or two) before and will be able to help you with yours.

Most courses do their best to allocate a dissertation supervisor at an early stage. (If you don’t hear anything after the first few weeks back at university, contact the person leading the course to see if you’ve missed something or a problem has arisen.)

Communicating with your dissertation supervisor

Putting in a bit of effort in building rapport with your supervisor is going to make working on your dissertation a much more pleasant and enjoyable experience. Getting along well with your supervisor is good for your spirits and helps in keeping you motivated in seeing your dissertation through right to the end.

You’re likely to impress your supervisor if you first make contact with her by email or phone, giving an outline of your dissertation or at least offering some kind of work plan. Emphasise that your plan isn’t set in stone but that you’ve thought long and hard about your research question and done some preliminary reading. Providing your supervisor with this information shows initiative, but also shows you still need your supervisor’s valuable support.

Aim at always being polite and considerate when you’re with your supervisor. Don’t try to be too familiar – better to err on the side of formality until you've had a few meetings and got to know the way she works. Politeness goes a long way, as does enthusiasm! Put yourself in your supervisor’s place and imagine the effect your positive attitude has over a negative one.

Universities have different rules, guidelines and expectations for how supervisors and students work together. From your experience at school or college you’re likely to have some idea of how things run at your institution. A few things to sort out include:

Checking whether your tutors have drop-in times or whether you need to make an appointment to see your supervisor.

Making yourself known to your course administrators, who can help you to get in touch with your supervisor if she doesn’t get back to you after a long wait.

Finding out about what support systems are available for students with dyslexia and other disabilities.

Getting in touch with your supervisor – find out from your course administrator whether your supervisor prefers phone or email contact.

If you aren’t familiar with the way your university or institution operates for meeting with your supervisor and other tutors, find out right now, preferably from fellow students or from support staff. It’s your responsibility be clear about how your university works on a day-to-day basis.

Write your emails in proper English, using full sentences and capital letters, and avoiding text-`speak at all costs. Say what you have to say concisely and as briefly as possible. Don’t bombard your supervisor with lots of attachments or really long messages, but do remember to say that you’ve been getting on with some research, or preparation, and that you’re familiar with the course requirements.

Even if things aren't going too well for you and your dissertation, try to avoid just moaning and whining. Supervisors are generally keen to help and your supervisor isn’t going to be able to do anything for you unless you explain clearly that you have some problems.

General dissatisfaction, feeling that things just aren't working out, non-specific misery and being irritated are understandable, but you need to put your supervisor in a position to be able to help you. Analyse what's not working before your next session with your supervisor.

No one expects you to solve your problems on your own. Again, try some empathy – your supervisor is going to be more eager to help if you present her with all the facts in a calm and reasoned manner.

Ask sensible questions about your dissertation

If you need to get answers to questions about your dissertation most of the answers are likely to be found in the guidelines you’ve already picked up. If you can’t find the answer in the guidelines you can then ask your supervisor for help.

Although there’s no such thing as a stupid question when setting out into the unknown that is your dissertation you certainly shouldn’t ask your supervisor unnecessary, irritating and exasperating questions that only serve to wind up your supervisor and giving yourself a poor image.

For example, asking about the length of your bibliography is a reasonable question to ask your supervisor, because your bibliography is key to your project. But asking what the hand-in date is, or whether you need to put the course on the title page of your dissertation is, unsurprisingly, likely to annoy your supervisor.

When asking questions the general rule is to to try to find the answer to your question in the rules and regulations first. Ask your supervisor about the practical issues relating to your dissertation only if you’ve exhausted all other avenues. Make your questions specific, to show that you’ve been thinking about what to do.

Your supervisor is there to give you specific and useful commentary on your writing and ideas, and you need to note your supervisor’s suggestions and act upon them. A supervisor isn’t there to do your work for you.

Following your supervisor’s comments and advice is likely to improve your dissertation. You can expect your grades to rise by 5 to 10 per cent if you do what your supervisor suggests – a more dramatic improvement is unrealistic (although possible of course).

About This Article

This article is from the book:.

• Writing a Dissertation For Dummies ,

About the book author:

Dr Carrie Winstanley is a Principal Lecturer in Education at Roehampton University, London, where she works with both undergraduate and postgraduate students. Carrie was recently named one of the Top 50 university teachers in the UK by the Higher Education Academy, for which she was awarded a national teaching fellowship.

This article can be found in the category:

• Essential Networking when Writing a Dissertation
• Obeying the Dissertation Rules and Regulations<b> </b>
• Optimising Your Dissertation Writing
• Organising Your Working Methods while Writing a Dissertation
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Circuit Magazine

For Security & Protection Specialists

A dissertation or research project is normally par for the course on degree programmes. In my experience, it is a source of anxiety for many students and I’m in no doubt that this one module can act as a barrier to undertaking a University degree course.

However, what students don’t often realise is that you will be allocated a supervisor to support you with this work. To help you understand the crucial supervisor-supervisee relationship, this article summarises what supervision is in this context, and highlights some of the characteristics of a good supervisor, as well as what makes a good supervisee. There are also tips for getting a dissertation going and managing your relationship with your supervisor. Hopefully this will make the prospect of completing a research dissertation less daunting and/or help you improve your existing supervisor-supervisee relationship.

What is supervision? There are so many answers to this question, it is hard to know where to start. Supervision transcends lots of roles and situations but, in the context of a University dissertation, your supervisor is the member of staff allocated to you to support you to complete your project. Typically, their role is to advise you on the project (e.g. research design, ethics, and comment on drafts). Note, they are not there to tell you what to do (although you might want to listen to their comments as these will be made with the aim to help you improve the project). Perhaps more importantly, they are not there to do the project for you (you’d be surprised how many students think this!). Often your supervisor will only have a limited number of hours allocated to support your work (e.g. 10 hours) so you need to use the time wisely.

What makes a good supervisor? When I asked my students this in a recent teaching session I was inundated with answers! They were getting close to handing in their dissertations so were quite far down the supervisory journey and had a lot to say about it. Here’s a summary of their thoughts on this:

• Trustworthy
• Encouraging
• Approachable
• Sensitivity – e.g. understand the contest in which the supervisee is working and whether there might be other factors that the supervisee may not be aware of
• Communication is key – personally I would argue that being an “active” listener is one of the most important things I can do as a supervisor. For example, what is the student interested in? Have they got a workable idea for their project? For students, this extended to the more mundane (but equally important things) like answering emails quickly.
• Does not misuse power – i.e. operates a non-oppressive supervisory process
• Able to give constructive criticism
• Experienced but open to learning – e.g. from supervisees, from new situations

What makes a good supervisee? When in class, this question often surprises students. There is often an emphasis on the supervisor “doing their job properly” and “providing support” but supervision is a two way relationship and we have expectations of you too. This includes (in no particular order):

• Able to set goals and stick to them – the ability to set your own goals and work diligently to meet these agreed objectives is a key expectation. For example, if you say you are going to complete your ethics form by X date, then do it.
• Good time keeping – if you organise a meeting with me, have the curtesy to turn up on time (or let me know if you are running late). Sometimes students work on the basis that because they pay fees I work for them. Whilst I appreciate this perspective, I cannot emphasise enough that this is not true. I work to support all students, not just one. My time is not indefinite and students should not take it for granted that I am available to meet them on a whim.
• Good time keeping II – maybe this one should say patience. Basically if you want me to read a draft of something and comment on it, don’t send it to me the night before the deadline. Give me time and space to read it properly. Not only does this mean I’m more likely to do it and perhaps provide more detailed feedback as I have more time, it also allows you time to act on that feedback.
• Respond to feedback – whilst we are on the topic of feedback, let’s talk about how important it is to make changes in response to feedback. I have lost count of the number of times I have spent hours reading a draft and providing detailed feedback on content, structure, writing style etc. only to find no changes are made in the final version. Ok, a student can choose whether to make changes or not (after all, it is their project) but it is hugely frustrating to feel you have wasted valuable time commenting on a draft (often when you were busy and could have been doing something else) only to find that changes are not made or (even worse) are limited to correcting typos and referencing errors.
• Take criticism – no-one likes to receive criticism but a supervisor would be neglecting their role if they didn’t highlight weaknesses in your work. This can be hard to stomach but remember that by thinking objectively about the feedback and making changes will only act to strengthen your work.
• Have the ability to identify their own strengths and developments – speaks for itself!
• Open and honest – e.g. communicating any issues they are experiencing. You don’t have to tell me the details of your personal problems but knowing they exist helps.
• Takes initiative – I love it when a student comes in with a brand new idea rather than rehashes a study already done many times before. It is much easier to get enthusiastic about your project if it is something new.
• Considers ways to overcome problems – if something is challenging and you turn up to your meeting with your supervisor with some ideas on how to fix the problem, this is ideal.

Top tips After a (very informal!) canvas of colleagues’ views, here are some of the tips they had for making the most of your dissertation project and managing your supervisor-supervisee relationship.

• Pick the right topic – choosing a dissertation topic can be daunting. However, in my experience, getting this right is half the battle with a dissertation project as it is 10 times easier to motivate yourself to work on something you are interested in! Don’t be afraid to think outside the box – you’ll get extra credit for being innovative and creative. “Hot Topics” can also be a good bet.
• Be realistic – the most obvious example I can give here is topic selection. Is what you are suggesting likely to get ethical approval? Is it achievable in the timescales you have to complete the project? I think my favourite example of an undergraduate project which I did not allow a student to undertake was from a meeting which started with the immortal words “I want to interview serial killers…”
• Don’t let it slide – dissertation deadlines fall at the end of the academic year and, despite early warnings that these deadlines will come around quickly, many students still have a mad panic close to the deadline trying to get everything finished.
• Time management – related to the above but perhaps with some more practical pointers. Picture the scene, close to a deadline, a student has a crisis. They email their supervisor at 11pm on a Sunday evening when your deadline is Monday 4pm. Do you really expect an answer?!! Perhaps surprising, this happens all the time – just a few weeks ago I got a phone call at 9:30am asking why I had not responded to an email which had been sent in the early hours of that morning…
• Be realistic II – Supervisors will typically aim to respond as quickly as they can. However, you need to be realistic about timescales for this. Especially over the summer. Especially when you are waiting for feedback. Remember it is unlikely your supervisor is only supervising you. Therefore, when you are thinking they only need to read you 5000 word draft, they might actually need to read 10 or 15 5000 word drafts (plus anything else they are working on).
• Don’t wait until you are having a crisis before asking for support.
• Be prepared – if you arrange a meeting with your supervisor, make sure you go prepared. You would be surprised how many supervisees I have who ask for a meeting but come with no agenda (and sometimes even no pen!)
• Make notes – remember to keep a record of meetings, e.g. what was discussed, what your actions are, what your supervisors actions are. A dissertation is a long term project and it is likely you will forget the specifics agreed in early meetings if you don’t have a record of what was discussed.
• Act on feedback provided – don’t just read it, act on it.
• Keep in touch – provide your supervisor with regular updates (even if there is little to report). This gives them an oversight of your progress. Also, reply to your supervisor when they email you!

Conclusion A good supervisor – supervisee relationship can help ensure your dissertation journey is a positive one so it is important to work to ensure that you build and maintain a strong working relationship. Your supervisor is there to support you – just remember their role is to guide and support you, not to do your project for you.

Working with your dissertation supervisor By: Dr Amy Burrell

Amy holds a BSc in Applied Psychology, an MSc in Forensic Behavioural Science, and a PhD in Forensic Psychology. Amy is a Lecturer in Forensic Psychology at Coventry University and can be contacted on [email protected] She was previously the Training Manager for Perpetuity Training who specialise in security training (see  www.perpetuitytraining.com ) and is also involved in the Crime Linkage International NetworK (C-LINK) (see www.crimelinkage.org )

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How to Find the Right Supervisor for Your Dissertation?

Published by Owen Ingram at July 18th, 2023 , Revised On July 18, 2023

Where to find the perfect supervisor? How to find an experienced supervisor who has the same interests as you? How can you evaluate your potential supervisor? 

Supervisors play a great role in determining the quality of one’s research. Hence it is important to find the most suitable supervisor for your dissertation. In this blog, we will discuss some points students should consider to find the right supervisor for their dissertation. 

Researching Potential Supervisors

Researching the faculty profiles of potential candidates is crucial when looking for the ideal supervisor. 

Explore the Faculty Profiles and Research Interests of Potential Supervisors

You can learn more about a person’s areas of competence and specialisation by looking at their areas of research interest. Understanding their area of research will let you judge whether your interests are similar to theirs and whether they have the skills and background needed to direct your dissertation properly.

Assess Their Expertise and Experience in Your Field of Study

It’s important to evaluate a possible supervisor’s knowledge and experience in your particular area of study. Check out their educational background, credentials, and prior research endeavours. Examine their knowledge of the ideas, procedures, and techniques pertinent to your field.

An experienced supervisor can significantly improve the calibre and success of your dissertation by bringing important ideas and critical thinking abilities.

Read Their Publications and Evaluate Their Research Contributions

The quality and significance of a potential supervisor’s research contributions can be evaluated by looking through their publications. Read their published articles, books, or conference papers to comprehend their scholarly work. Examine the accuracy, significance, and applicability of their research findings. 

Seeking Recommendations And Advice

Consult with faculty members, advisors, or peers for recommendations.

Engaging with professors, advisors, or peers can result in helpful supervisor recommendations. These people are familiar with the academic environment and may recommend qualified supervisors based on their qualifications and mentoring approach.

Seek Advice From Senior Students

Senior students or graduates who have worked with possible supervisors in the past might provide insightful information and first-hand experiences. They can reveal details about the mentor’s approach to communication, availability, level of support, and general efficacy.

Utilise Online Platforms or Forums to Gather Insights and Recommendations

Insights and suggestions can be gathered using online discussion boards and platforms for academic topics and student experiences. By using these platforms, you can interact with a larger group of academics and students who can offer insightful criticism and suggestions based on their interactions with possible supervisors.

Considering Compatibility and Communication

Assess the supervisor’s communication style, availability, and responsiveness.

It’s critical to evaluate the supervisor’s interactions with the students. Are they rational and willing to have a conversation? Consider their accessibility and responsiveness to questions and issues, as timely and effective communication is essential for a positive student-supervisor relationship.

Evaluate Their Approach to Mentorship and Whether it Aligns with Your Needs and Expectations

Different managers have various mentoring approaches. Check if their method fits your preferred learning and working methods. Do they offer advice, encouragement, and helpful criticism? Consider whether their coaching approach will accommodate your unique requirements and expectations throughout the study.

Consider their compatibility with your working style, personality, and research interests. A productive working relationship depends on you and your potential supervisor being compatible. Check to see if their working style fits with yours. Consider personality compatibility because effective communication depends on a respectful and positive connection.

Meeting and Interviewing Potential Supervisors

Request meetings or interviews with potential supervisors.

It is possible to have more individualised contact by asking for meetings or interviews with potential supervisors to discuss your research interests and objectives. It allows you to express your ideas, get comments, and determine whether the supervisor is interested in your research.

Ask Questions About Their Mentoring Style, Expectations, and Support For Students

Understanding how they approach supervision requires asking questions about their mentoring style, expectations, and student support. You may decide if their mentoring approach suits your goals and if they can offer essential direction and support during your research journey by asking them about their preferred amount of engagement, communication frequency, and support in handling hurdles.

Evaluating Support and Resources

Evaluate the level of support and resources available to students .

A successful research experience depends on evaluating the level of assistance and resources available to students working under a certain faculty member’s direction. It entails considering variables, including financing prospects, accessibility to research facilities, and partnership possibilities. The student’s capacity to perform high-quality research is enhanced by adequate support and resources, advancing their academic and professional growth.

Consider Funding Opportunities, Access to Research Facilities, and Collaboration Opportunities

When choosing a supervisor, it is crucial to consider elements like financing possibilities, accessibility to research facilities, and collaboration chances. The availability of the resources required for research is ensured by adequate funding. Opportunities for collaboration promote networking, information sharing, and prospective research alliances, enhancing the research experience.

Considering Track Record and Success of Previous Students

Research the track record and success of previous students.

It is possible to gain knowledge about the outcomes and accomplishments of potential supervisors’ past pupils by researching them. This involves evaluating elements like publications, conference presentations, honours, and career developments that have been successful.

Evaluate Their Achievements, Publications, and Career Advancements 

Understanding the effects of the supervisor’s mentorship can be gained by looking at past pupils’ accomplishments, publications, and career developments. The supervisor’s effectiveness in inspiring students to do high-quality research and supporting their professional development can be seen by evaluating the achievement of their pupils.

Trusting Your Instincts

Consider your gut feeling about the potential supervisor.

A successful working relationship depends on you following your gut and paying attention to how you feel about the possible boss. Using your instincts, you can determine whether the supervisor’s personality, communication style and mentoring method fit your needs and preferences.

Consider the Comfort Level During Interactions with Them

It’s important to consider your interactions with them and how comfortable you feel. Open communication, respect for one another, and a cooperative atmosphere are all fostered by good rapport. Being at ease, collaborating more effectively with your supervisor, and having fruitful conversations all contribute to a great study experience.

Seeking Feedback From Current or Former Students

Contact current or former students to gather their feedback and insights.

It is beneficial to speak with current or former students collaborating with the potential supervisor to get their thoughts and insights. You can talk to them to learn more about their experiences, including the support they received, the supervisor’s availability, and how satisfied they were with the supervision in general.

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Seeking Approval From the Department 

Check if your department or program has specific guidelines or recommendations for selecting a supervisor. These recommendations can guide things to consider, ideal qualifications, and any particular needs or suggestions for selecting a competent supervisor for your dissertation or research project.

Seek Approval or Feedback From Your Department or Program Coordinator Regarding Your Chosen Supervisor

It is wise to ask your department or program coordinator for approval or input regarding the supervisor you have selected. Due to their familiarity with the professors’ teaching methods, they might offer insightful advice. Their comments can guarantee that the supervisor you’ve chosen adheres to the department’s standards and policies, promoting a fruitful research journey.

Making an Informed Decision

Weigh all the factors, feedback, and information gathered to decide on the right supervisor for your dissertation.

You can choose a supervisor who supports your aims, improves your research experience, and aids in completing your dissertation by carefully considering all the factors mentioned, including research interests, communication style, support, resources, and track record.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it important to find the right supervisor for the dissertation.

Finding the right supervisor for your dissertation is important for guidance, support, motivation, resource access, and career advancement.

How do I identify potential supervisors?

• Research faculty profiles.
• Explore their expertise.
• Consider recommendations from advisors and peers.

What should I consider when assessing potential supervisors?

Evaluate their experience, track record, communication style, availability, compatibility, and alignment with your research interests.

How can I gather information about a potential supervisor?

• Read their publications
• Contact current or former students
• Attend departmental events
• Request meetings to discuss expectations

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First meeting with your dissertation supervisor: What to expect

The first meeting with your dissertation supervisor can be a little intimidating, as you do not know what to expect. While every situation is unique, first meetings with a dissertation supervisor often centre around getting to know each other, establishing expectations, and creating work routines.

Why a good relationship with a dissertation supervisor matters

Writing a dissertation is an exciting but also intimidating part of being a bachelor’s, master’s or PhD student. A dissertation is often the culmination of several years of higher education, and the last step before graduating.

What is important to know is that the relationship that you establish with your supervisor can be a crucial factor in completing a successful dissertation.

Good communication with a dissertation supervisor is key to advancing your research, discussing roadblocks, and incorporating feedback and advice.

Getting to know each other during the first meeting

Many first meetings with a dissertation supervisor include a considerable amount of ‘small talk’. Thus, you can expect to engage in a casual conversation to get acquainted.

Getting to know the work environment during the first meeting

It is not uncommon for the dissertation supervisor to walk around with the new student and introduce him or her to colleagues and supporting staff.

Establishing a meeting and communication schedule

This particularly includes agreements on meetings and the frequency of communication. Even if your dissertation supervisor does not raise these issues during the first meeting, it can be helpful to raise them yourself.

Discussing your research idea with your dissertation supervisor

While you can expect a lot of Smalltalk, planning, and organisational issues to dominate the first meeting with your dissertation supervisor, it is common to also chat about your research idea.

Discussing expectations with your dissertation supervisor

It is normal to feel slightly lost during the first weeks of working on your dissertation.

Elsewhere, I have written a guide for first-year PhD students with some directions and advice . As a PhD student, you can use this guide as an inspiration and starting point to discuss your own supervisor’s expectations.

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