Advice on changing PhD supervisor

[bathsh3ba]

I'm about to go into my third year of my (social sciences) PhD but am expecting a 6 month funding extension so probably have 18 months to go. I just passed confirmation/transfer at the second attempt. I've been slowed down by a perfect storm of supervisor problems, mental health problems and then COVID-related childcare issues.

I want to change main supervisor because our communication styles clash (we just rub each other up the wrong way), because my thesis has evolved to be something that I feel she doesn't 'get' and because I just don't think she has faith in me. I never chose her originally, she was selected by my previous supervisor who left and is now my external. My external is a brilliant scholar but so busy I only get flashes of her brilliance from time to time...

I've found someone willing to take on my supervision who I 'gel' much better with and my Director of Studies is supportive. But I don't know how to raise it sensitively with my supervisor - or my external who chose her. Guidance and tips very welcome please - I don't want to offend or alienate anyone but I really think I need to make the change.

It may be that although she might be a bit miffed, that suits her better too. I'd write an email just explaining that you've struggled a bit with the upgrade and am thinking that a change of supervisor might also be a good way forward for the next 18 months, thank her for the input and send it out there.

Working with social science PhDs is intensive and not always well-rewarded within the academy- unless she has some reason to want more PhD students (e.g, career wise) she may be happy to let you move on with someone else. I would be if I had a student which I didn't gel with and would prefer to be supervised by someone else, even if on a personal level, it 's always hard to take such criticism!

Is there a director of pg studies or equivalent you can talk to? I'd suggest framing it in terms of you going in a new direction and wanting to benefit from a difficult area of expertise rather than the personality clash.