I know, but I'm in this mess and there has been such a horrible attitude from department about my health problems - I guess they are trying to protect their backs - I doubt they would see getting an external sup as anything other than a slight. they are trying to build up Phd intake but there are numerous disasters going on and instead of helping us out they are looking to first years to get whizzed through the sausage factory and build their figures. Do I need this? I dunno

I think I could with the 'quiet supervisor' in the background and we'd have regular meeting to discuss (whereas current sup is monologue about nothing useful just trying to be 'clever'. Completely on my own? Nope, v much doubt it..............

Well there is no co-authorship contract in place with current sups (haven't signed and have checked uni handboook) and in fact have done my own thing with conferences and have an article published solo (tho not directly on PhD topic). I think it will be basically a case of going through motions with current sup, ignoring and doing own thing.....still asking myself whether it's workable. but again, the answer is if it is not I cannot work with current sup so will quit.....mmmmmm

I know, I can see the potential probelsms, although do know 'quiet' super won't feel the need to be co-author on publications (they have way enough already in their own right!). Current sup hasn't added anything useful to the thesis and in fact changes direction all the time which has been a major problem.
Thing is, I can't go back and work with current sup - will leave - hence dilemma!
thanks for talking to me about it, really helps

That's really interesting, thanks. I just don't know if my uni would accept me having an outside sup, and I think merely asking at this stage would put me back. 'Quiet' super suggested this informal basis and no, there are no strings. And yes, I would prefer this super to take credit not the current one (second supervisor completely disinterested and in any case anything that has been suggested has been slapped down by main super, which has been a nightmare!)

How could I do that though if I've got funding from current uni? It's difficult to explain all but the past year has been a nightmare since I got ill and my sup has managed to make it out that I'm the bad guy so relations with department not great.

Thanks guys, basically the support offered would
be all one would expect from proper supervision and not what I get now! There's
no way I could tell my current super. I would basically have to bite my lip in
the meetings with that one (they're always useless anyway). Current sup is
chippie AND has no experience bar losing another Phd student after one year (I
didn't know that at the time). I can see reasons for concern and am not entirely
sure of the 'quiet' super's motivation apart from knowing of the support for my
project (and interestingly a very low opinion of current sup!). This has already driven me to health problems so have to be v. careful. Feel
confused.com!

======= Date Modified 07 Aug 2011 16:19:42 =======
My situation is that I suspended from my PhD for health reasons. I have until October to make up my mind. The last year has been the nightmare from hell and I've been on the verge of quitting countless times. I have no faith whatsoever in my supervisor who has been a right barsteward to put it mildly.
Now, here's the thing, a renowned academic in my field but outside my uni has offered to help (on the quiet). Has anyone ever done this and it is a potential solution? I'm funded (although this is suspended atm) so I can't up sticks and move unis.
If it might be a way of completing, I'd seriously consider the idea.
All thoughts welcome, don't know what to do!

On come on guys, if the sups didn't add anything... why on earth add as co-authors? Simply credit them in footnote for 'coments on earlier drafts of this paper'. No input no authorship is the only way it makes sense..give yourselves credit where credit is due.

Pure spam, spam spam (not) wonderful spam. Bin it x

I persevered in trying to like my PhD for two years. I have just suspended but will not be going back to it but instead will reapply to do part-time subject with different supervisor who is the best in that field. The last year has made me ill with stress and depression and my relationship with my supervisor has always been awful (my respect for said second-rate super is now non-existent). I have had a successful previous career and I want to feel like that person again, not the under-confident gibbering wreck that all the toxicity has turned me into. if any of this resonates, don't wait as long as I did!
All the best and good luck.

Delta, good luck to you. I've just filed for a suspension due to stress (and some). Thought all the things I've read about on here would not happen to me. They all did, with knobs on. I'm just believing in life again

Thanks so much for your replies. Bilbo I have had great suppport from our disability office and through that can overcome a lot of the problems. I think one of the main troubles has been the department's lack of recognition of all that has hapened althought that's a bit better now. But I am not happy with the supervision and the supervisor who would take on the new project is much more respected in academia. Will think it over a while longer but look forward to that feeling of relief! Maybe I could get a Masters in the current project? I guess I'd have to talk to the department but they have been so horrible I'm a bit afraid to do it. I know this sounds pathetic but my confidence is at an all-time low!

======= Date Modified 03 Jun 2011 20:39:24 =======
To cut long story short am very unhappy with my Phd and feel it is going nowhere. I also research in another area and have publications and international contacts there. Feel that is where I should be going. Am funded for current project but doubting supervision and have also been hampered by disability. Have no money to fund so would have to reapply etc but want to turn this disaster into a positive. Any experience? Ideas?

This is very interesting. The "voice" issue has so many dimensions but the key one here I feel I can speak to. Due to an injury, I've had to make adjustments and therefore it has been quite difficult in terms of my Ph.D. but one of the brilliant things is that the voice recognition software, Dragon, has enabled me to continue. You have to talk rather than type, and it does help to rearrange one's thoughts. I refer dictating notes or, may I say, talking to oneself has its good points. Best of luck, pet Dragon (that's my software).