The (Slightly Dull but Ultra-Useful) Things I Wish I'd Known, Part 2: Supervision
Adam Gordon is studying for a DFA in Creative Writing. His doctoral work explores queer histories of Glasgow, and ecology in literature. He is the outgoing Researcher Development PGR Communications Intern.
This is a short and (hopefully!) useful guide to kick-start or refresh your relationship with your supervisor. Your supervisor is your primary point of contact with the university and is there to guide you through the doctoral process. This goal is for this to be a productive and professional relationship, and there are a few things you can do to help achieve that.
Set expectations
This takes work on both side, and cuts both ways: your supervisor should be clear about work levels and deadlines, and you can also set your own boundaries and expectations. Be clear about your needs and limits. Take notes during meetings and follow up with an email confirming the action points agreed. (This way you know you’re both on the same page, and you have an extra record of your meetings.) Never be afraid to ask for clarification when you need it.
As a starting point, the PGR Code of Practice contains a section on Roles and Responsibilities at a Glance. This should give you a clear overview of the roles of each person involved. The key to everything is honest communication – which is harder than it sounds. The important thing to remember is that this relationship is a two-way street.
On a personal note, I’d add that it’s good to set your own expectations of yourself and make sure these are healthy and realistic. Set your working hours, and plan other activities outside these hours so you’re not tempted to go back to work. You need rest and you need fun too. You don’t need to be answering emails at 10pm.
Ask for help when you need it
Cultivating your own independence is part of the doctoral process. That said, ask for help when you need it! There are no brownie points for suffering in silence. Your supervisor won’t know everything (they’re human), but they should be able to point you in the right direction. And if you’re struggling to get your head around something, or you’re not going to make a deadline, honesty is always the best policy.
Training
Researcher Development offers training sessions on Working with Your Supervisor. As the processes are a little different for Arts and Humanities and the Sciences, there are dedicated workshops for each: you’ll find them on the Optional Courses webpage, along with info on how to book.
There is also a great video presentation on the Researcher Development YouTube channel that takes you through your rights and responsibilities as a PGR, and talk about how to build an effective supervisory relationship.
What to do when things go wrong
Not all relationships are easy to foster and everyone involved makes mistakes sometimes. If you don’t feel it’s going well, but you are comfortable enough to raise the issue, do so with your supervisor first. This is a professional relationship, so you can ask if it’s ok to discuss issues affecting your work. Your second supervisor is also a useful point of contact, as is your PG Convenor (make sure you know who this is!) and in case of real difficulty you can also speak to your Dead of Graduate Studies.
If you’re having trouble, you can ask the PGR Administrator in your School or Graduate School what the relevant processes are to resolve the situation. Make sure to check out the PGR Code of Practice, as well as College and School PGR Handbooks. If you’re looking for financial, mental health support, or other support, look for the relevant University Service. You can also check out this blog post, which outlines the mental health resources available to you through the university.
Finally, here are several other useful links to consult if things go wrong. It’s worth being familiar with these terms and processes in case you ever need some advice or support.
Hopefully this helps to clarify what the roles, rights, and responsibilities are within this vital relationship, and where you can go for the info you need. The best advice I can give you is to be proactive: familiarize yourself with the guidance and be upfront with your supervisor about your work and the things that affect it. And please don’t ever be afraid to ask for help: there are lots of folks at UofG who are here to support you.
Photo by Luis Villasmil on Unsplash
