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Selecting a Supervisor

Ms Samantha Marangell
Dr Lilia Mantai
Dr Mollie Dollinger

Getting the Most Out of Your Doctorate

ISBN: 978-1-78769-908-3, eISBN: 978-1-78769-905-2

Publication date: 24 April 2019

Abstract

There are numerous existing resources which claim to discuss the most important factors a potential PhD student should consider when looking for a possible supervisor. Commonly discussed topics include the supervisors’ record and approach, but there is much more to finding a reciprocal and beneficial relationship. This chapter will address some of these less discussed factors to look for when selecting a supervisor, including sense of humor. This chapter will help the hopeful PhD student maneuver the uncomfortable − and often overwhelming − waters of selecting a supervisor by pointing out the questions students forget to ask, the character traits they don’t think to consider, and examples of supervision selection gone wrong. It starts with the often-confusing process of knowing where to start looking, then highlights five frequently ignored factors that deserve more consideration, and finishes with warning signs to look for that mark supervisors to avoid.

Keywords

  • Supervisor
  • Doctoral studies
  • PhD supervision
  • PhD students
  • Doctoral education

Citation

Marangell, S., Mantai, L. and Dollinger, M. (2019), "Selecting a Supervisor", Dollinger, M. (Ed.) Getting the Most Out of Your Doctorate (Surviving and Thriving in Academia), Emerald Publishing Limited, pp. 3-18. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-78769-905-220191006

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Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2019, Samantha Marangell, Lilia Mantai and Mollie Dollinger

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