Supervisor- change ?

[PomRuns]

Hello,

Does anyone have experience of changing a supervisor? It’s become apparent that we have very different communication and management styles. I’m feel really unhappy and stressed with a few things, but she’s very manipulative and embedded in the department so I don’t want to alienate myself. She seems to want to micro manage and her response is very negative if I resist. Trying to be abstract (!) but examples are insisting being involved in areas she doesn’t need to be.

Any advice please ?

I changed supervisor during my PhD right after confirmation. In fact, I changed 2 of my 3 supervisors. It was the best thing I ever did. In my situation, both my supervisors were just coming at the topic from a completely different perspective to me. They wanted to turn it into something I just wasn't interested in researching or writing about and as a result they were very critical of what I wanted to do and told me it 'couldn't be done'. Well, it could, because I was just awarded my PhD, with a prominent examiner in my field, and have a postdoc position.

I would start by identifying who you would like to change to. Ask them informally if they'd be interested and then approach your Director of Studies. It was awkward but there are processes in place to help you do it. Happy to be PMd.

OP,

I genuinely sympathises, but the fundamental problem of an over- involved supervisor is the opposite of the usual complaint. If she is manipulative that could be a serious concern, but it is hard to know what you mean.

The question of micromanaging raises the question of how happy each of you is with your progress to date. Are you happy and if so is there a mismatch here? If you hold a similar view of your progress, what is it?

Are you obliquely saying that you have publishable results she is trying to take credit for? I’m grasping at straws because I don’t see how we can help without knowing more about the problem.

The one suggestion I will offer is that you consider the possibility that you could discuss this with your Director of Studies in confidence if you feel that saying more here is too outing.

Hi, again -

I was typing as @bathsh3ba posted. Her experience shows that changing supervisors can work well, but it was about a professional mismatch rather than a personal one.

Reasonable people should understand that personal mismatches can happen and impede students. A change could be exactly what you need. But from what you’ve described, either (you believe that) this woman is trying to take credit for your work, or something of a similar gravity, or your situation is unusual. In the second case I think your best chance of success will come from examining the situation with a clear, cold eye as the first step.

Again, we’re here to help and more to the point so is your Director of Studies. If you request a confidential discussion they should absolutely honour that. Lining up a new supervisor first is always a big help. But the reason I posed the original questions is that although I am no control freak, TBH the way you presented the situation originally, without any context for us to assess, made me wonder whether that’s going to be easy for you. I do think that if you show a greater insight into the situation it should be possible.
The School wants you to succeed.

Hello,

Thanks so much for the replies, I really appreciate it. The situation is quite identifying - hence being vague. Professionally I am senior to her, so that probably adds a different dynamic to the relationship.

She has no boundaries and contacts me in my time off or when working elsewhere and expects an immediate response. She has given other people information about my work when I have asked her not to as I would like to discuss with them initially.
She has expressed concerns regarding my other commitments, there is no evidence to support this. I am very conscientious and work hard. My lead supervisor has no concerns at all.
I don't think she could claim my work as her own as this is not her area of expertise, I do think she wants to say I was only able to complete the research with her support.
She is quite passive aggressive in emails to me in which others are cc'd. I suspect people normally tow the line whereas I am not doing exactly what she wants.
I know she is not popular in the profession but is I think within her team so I really don't want to look like I am making a fuss. and lose support from others. But I do feel very unhappy and don't think we have a constructive relationship.

Hope that makes a bit more sense !

My plan is to check re possible new supervisors and ask to meet with current Supervisor and hopefully have a helpful discussion- possibly could agree a way forward. Not sure she respond well tbh.

Ouch. Definitely unusual, concerning and difficult. The fact that you are professionally Senior to her is a wrinkle we don’t get in my discipline and possibly a big one for her.

You’ve just mentioned that your lead supervisor is happy - which is important in itself but also makes me wonder about this woman’s role. Is she a secondary supervisor and if so just how secondary? Could that be part of the problem for her? Which in no way excuses what you’ve described.

I think your plan is good.

Best wishes.

it should be easy to change a secondary supervisor.

for a primary supervisor, it depends a bit on how your PhD is funded. e.g. if the primary supervisor holds a grant that gave you the studentship, you won't be able to move. but if you are part of a DTC or other scheme, then you can.

You may want to check first if this is actually possible before trying to change supervisor. From what I recall in our department, we only allow people to switch PhDs in exceptional circumstances because it creates a lot of "political" problems when students try to switch supervisor. Naturally, we almost always side with academics rather than the students, because the academics are permanent staff.