Dear all

I have co-authored a paper with my supervisor and it's now published. However I realised that my supervisor has made a note on the paper saying that her herself alone wrote the paper and that I contributed on running experiment. This is not true because we wrote the paper together. In fact, I was the one who wrote the first draft for the entire paper.

More importantly, I think she intentionally didn't include this statement in the draft that we wrote together. Because when I asked her for the final version of the draft before submission, she reassured me that the version that I had was the same version that she will submit- but this turn out to be not true. She didn't send me the author copy of the paper, neither she informed me that the paper has been published (or send me the published version of the paper).

I have wrote to her about this but she did not reply. Can I write to the editor of the journal directly and ask them to investigate this issue? Any advice?

My house is rather messy with hard copies of huge amount of research papers that I printed out for my PhD. Although they are all kept nicely in folders - but they have taken rather lots of space in the house.

Although I have soft-copies of most of the research papers but personally I prefer to read from hard copies rather than computer (my eyes hurt when I read too much on computer).

I don't know what I want to do with my career yet (post PhD), and I am not sure whether it's worth to keep the hardcopies of research papers.

I wonder how many of you actually kept the stuff that you used for PhD (after the completion of your PhD). Are they worth to keep? If so, how long do you keep them?

Hi Linda, nice to hear from you again!

You did the right thing and we will support you all the way!! Keep us update about your situation!!!

have you tried to ask the admin?

Evak, your supervisor is being unreasonable (I have similar supervisor and the department agreed with me that he is being unreasonable). Please talk to your head of department or your second supervisor.

Hang in there Pineapple! Although you haven't heard about your viva, you sure have a lot of interviews- that suggest that you are good at what you are doing.

Just a thought, does your Head of Department (HoD) aware of this issue? Generally HoD would want you to complete as soon as possible because it will affect the department's ranking if you didn't complete your PhD within certain period.

It might worth to do so.

Hi


I have created a test for my PhD. Recently, I found out that my supervisor has secretly modified the test that I have created as his own and gave it to other researcher to use.

What can I do about it?

I am so frustrated!

Dear all

I am looking for non-academic opportunities and I am rather clueless.

Are there any website or keyword that you can recommend for non-academic jobs that are suitable for PhD/Research students?

I only know a few, such as " research analyst, product manager"

Thanks for your help!

Hello, sorry to hear that- i can feel your pain!!

Generally, have you tried to spoke to the graduate association/welfare (someone who is not related to the department)? They might be able to help you.

All university should have a guideline what you can do when you are not satisfy with their service.

Please don't keep quiet about this- and do something.

There are things that you can do before officially sueing them.

Hi Derose

I truly understand what you meant as me myself has went through the whole thing!

Can I ask where are you now in your PhD?

Long story short, I had similar problem as you, probably slightly worse because my supervisor controlled my funding, and that he threatened me if I attempted to "against" him in anyway, he will cut down my funding. That was the main reason I forced myself to stuck with him because I have no other funding.

In my 2nd/3rd year, his behaviour is beyond my perseverance, I had serious depression too! Then I found this forum and I reliased lots of other people went through the same thing as us! Long story short, I took up the courage and reported his behaviour to the department (I have email proof that he is being rude and not giving me support), the department investigated this issue and he received warning letter about that. Things has gottan a lot better then.

In our university, we can change supervisor "without the need to give the department a valid reason". I think that applies to many other universities.
I did ask to change supervisor, but because I was already in my 3rd year, and there is no other people in the department who is familiar with my topic, therefore the department suggested me to keep reporting to them if the supervisor "is not doing his job properly".

Bear in mind that it's the supervisor's responsibility to support us, and it's the department's responsibility to make sure we get enough support from the supervisor. So you have all the right to gain the support that you need from both parties!

Don't be afraid to address the issue, I regret I didn't address the issue in the first year so I hope you can sort out your problem soon.

I have similar problem, anyone has advice on this?

Yes, you do need to prepare some questions in advance in possible, e.g. overview, motivation, strength, limitations etc. Don't worry too much when you can't answer, just be honest and tell them why you think those questions are not essential for your research!

Good luck and keep us posted!

My viva is next week and I am really really nervous!!!!

Just wondering what is the dress code for viva?

I am a very casual person, hence I often wear t-shirt and jeans to the department only.

I think I might look slightly strange (and probably uncomfortable) if I turn up to the department with very formal dress/clothes with make up etc. I also don't want to attract unnecessary attraction to other people because I haven't really told anyone about my viva (because I get stress very very easily if everybody ask me how I am with my viva!)

Any advice?

Hi Huhu

It's your supervisor's responsibility to read your thesis, he has not excuse NOT to read your thesis.

I previously have similar experience (my supervisor didn't refuse to read, but he kept delaying for 3-6 months), I basically reported it to the department, they spoke to him, and making sure he gives feedback to my work in good time!

As you said, you have paid so much fees and even travelled so far to study, you deserve all the support that you need!

well done well done!! it really encourages me!!

I am a little surprise to hear that you were so nervous before the viva- since your thesis is really really well-written!

Why were you so nervous prior to the viva? Did you think your thesis wasn't good enough? you found mistakes in your thesis? or you are simply a very nervous person? :-)