4. A supervisor change can be a
welcome or unwelcome change. In
some situations, a new supervisor is
hired, often because the old
supervisor moves on. In other cases,
an employee is having difficulty
getting along with the current
supervisor and wants a different
supervisor.
WHY CHANGE SUPERVISORS
5. Student changes area of interest:
Sometimes, a student’s research focus
changes or shifts to such an extent that
the supervisor feels he or she no longer
has the appropriate background to
supervise the research. Also, a student
may lose interest completely in his or her
research and wish to change fields
entirely.
WHY CHANGE SUPERVISORS
6. The key role of a research degree
supervisor is to assist and support a
student throughout their academic
studies.
Ideal supervisors are those who have
expertise in the field surrounding the
student's research. ... Having
a supervisor with expertise in the
methodologies required in their research is
particularly important. Interest in the
Student's Career. Ideal supervisors are likely
to show an interest in the student's career.
7. BEFORE DOING ANYTHING DRASTIC
Changing supervisors is a big step. It can
be stressful and take time that you might
otherwise spend on your work. Before you take
this step, ask yourself these questions:
1. Have you discussed the problem or conflict
with your supervisor?
2. Have your conversations about the problem
been sufficiently clear that both you and your
supervisor agree on the problem?
8. BEFORE DOING ANYTHING DRASTIC
3. Have you and your supervisor
attempted to remedy the problem?
4. Have you involved the
supervisory committee members in
your discussions and sought their
advice?
5. Have you followed the
procedures outlined in the Problem
Resolution section?
9. BEFORE DOING ANYTHING DRASTIC
6. Have you and your supervisor
explored the implications of
changing supervisors?
7. Have you considered whether
there is anyone else in your graduate
program who might have the
knowledge, experience, time and
interest to supervise you?
10. To discuss both the academic and
financial consequences of a such change,
you should first talk with the people
involved. The supervisory relationship is
built upon responsibilities of both
supervisor and supervisee. In any
professional relationship there must be
an understanding about what each party
expects from the other, including the
modification or dissolution of the
relationship.
11. When a student is having difficulties, it is all
the more important that the new supervisor is not
only someone with whom the student feels more
comfortable personally but also that the new
supervisor is appropriately placed to supervise
the research. Depending on the student’s stage
within the program, a change of supervisor may
require a change in the topic or plan for the
research. Throughout the process, it is critical to
keep all parties informed of the actions under
way. The process should be completed as quickly
as possible to reduce delays in research progress
and associated worries.
12. SUPERVISOR ON SABBATICAL LEAVE
There are two types of sabbatical, and each
one has a different impact on the graduate
student/supervisor relationship:
1. Local sabbatical: When a supervisor takes a
sabbatical in his or her own lab (i.e. locally),
graduate students are usually able to spend much
more productive time with the supervisor.
2. Distant sabbatical: When a supervisor takes a
sabbatical away from the university for a
significant period of time, contact between
graduate student and supervisor is dramatically
reduced.
13. SUPERVISOR ON SABBATICAL LEAVE
Generally, only distant sabbaticals pose
challenges for graduate students and
supervisors. supervisors are responsible for
ensuring their graduate students have
adequate supervision for the sabbatical
period. Supervisors should:
1. Appoint an interim supervisor who is
knowledgeable in the graduate student's
area of research.
14. SUPERVISOR ON SABBATICAL LEAVE
2. Stay in close contact with the
Supervisory Committee and follow the
progress of the research.
3. Set up regular meeting times through
telephone or web conferencing.
4. Stay in regular contact with the
student through e-mail.
15. PROCEDURE FOR CHANGE
The procedure for changing
supervisors is specific to individual
programs at the Faculty of Graduate Studies
has no formal role in the process. Programs
are primarily responsible for ensuring that
each graduate student has a supervisor.
However, there may be times when the
Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral
studies is consulted and can play a
supporting role.
16. PROCEDURE FOR CHANGE
If the supervisor leaves the university
due to retirement, resignation, sabbatical or
extended leave, the program has a
responsibility to make their best effort to
appoint a replacement. If the graduate
student is considering changing
supervisors, he or she should:
1. Discuss this with the Graduate Advisor for
the program, unit or Faculty.
17. PROCEDURE FOR CHANGE
2. Attempt to resolve the issue through
discussion with the Graduate Advisor and
the original supervisor.
3. Ensure that both "old" and "new"
supervisors are part of the decision, and
consult with the full committee when
appropriate.
4. Ensure that the Program approves the
change. As appropriate, the program then
informs Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.
