Find out the timescales regarding the University's complaint process, these should be online, if you can't find this information the Students Union should be able to provide this. If the University do not respond within the time they state a response should be given I advise contacting the OIAHE, you won't be able to send your case to the OIAHE if you choose to until you have a completion of procedures letter, but the OIAHE can get in contact with the University if they fail to respond to the student in a timely manner during the internal complaints process.
Although you have finished the PhD you may still encounter issues, should you need an academic reference reference or if you intend to publish papers on your PhD work.
It is not always possible to address issues directly with individuals concerned, this can depend on the personalities of those you are dealing with, culture within that area, management etc. You have a right to make a complaint.
You are welcome to contact me directly. I'm a student who has encountered supervision related difficulties.
I agree with most of you had said. However, my supervisors are British/English which o don’t think the university will take any action against them.
I am working on a paper for publication and another staff in the university helped me with the writing and we both are authors on the paper. I am sure my supervisors will be really angry if the paper got accepted and published specially the primary told me he want to publish it in his name as a first author and I refused which was the main issue with my supervisors as they supported him in his decision.
Regarding the academic reference, I do not need /want one, and it’s not a mandatory thing for getting a job. If it’s , I have friends can provide me with it.
There is no time line for the complaint, and I will move on once the paper is published.
I really appreciate everyone’s comments, it was really helpful to me.
Good luck to everyone
At some point, somebody is going to sue a university in a landmark case and I hope that happens sooner rather than later.
BUT. Nobody on here should be trying to push this as some sort of moral crusade onto the shoulders of someone else. The OP needs to make their own mind up and IMO they should be receiving two things from us:
1) Our best wishes and support if they choose to pursue this.
2) Genuine advice about what physical, time, financial and emotional hurdles they are almost certainly be faced with.
This is a very serious undertaking that most of us wouldn't want to put purselves through and nobody should be attempting to "spur them on" under the banner of "but what about other students?"
One or two posts have fallen into that category.
I am minded that your supervisors are likely to be your main employment references for whatever emplyment you apply for post-graduation. Complaining has to be a last resort and I speak as someone who had a Prof who was a poor supervisor / line manager when I opted to do a post-doc at a University away from my PhD University.
So unless the actions of your supervisors have prevented you from graduating or are hindering your life as it stands, then I would leave be and move on to be honest. You have your award so why pursue this any further?
The only reason I can think of continuing to pursue your complaint is if your supervisors' behaviour is having an ongoing impact on other students. If whatever happened is a one-off, leave be and just live your life.
Universities tend to close ranks against complainants, who end up getting no-where. People who say things disappear or become uncertain of what they witnessed. I saw this happen to other people, which is why I decided it wise just to walk away when my post-doc contract ended.
Ian
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