Supervisor hall of fame - what's the worst thing yours has done/said?

M

Badhaircut - ROFLMAO, maybe it's the way you tell em, but your supervisors sound like sonething out of a comedy sketch

S

mine regularly changes reports etc only then to change it back to what i originally had written saying it was his idea. also throwing reports at me says thats cr*p etc. also in meetings saying i cant be bothered anymore

S

as I handed over a report
"Perfect, drawing paper for my children..."
but I have the impression he wasn't joking

K

Loving this thread! One of mine said once said "I really don't think you are going to have time for a holiday"

I had just announced that hubby and I were going to Scotland for a week. Admittedly it was about 8 weeks before I was due to submit, but I was within schedule and we both really needed this holiday. I wouldn't have minded so much, but prior to me announcing my holiday she had just told me that she was going away for a whole month!

One rule for one, etc etc.....!

P

These are unbelievable! I have just read them out aloud to my husband and decided right now, I must have the best supervisor in town, I feel so very sorry for you but have to say, it has made me laugh. I need to print this off, to make me realize how priviledged I am ...

E

You're lucky PinkNeuron! - I thought I had a great supervisor (I have two but the other was away for the first 18 months) - I was churning out work and he loved each chapter, only asking for minor revisions each time... but then the other sup. came back... and he asks for a major rehaul on all of the chapter drafts, putting me back months The comments did make sense though, and now I look at the suggestions and think 'why didn't I think of that?' so instead I'm mad at my first sup. who didn't suggest changes in the first place and just waved me on blindly even though there were (now obvious) problems with the work

A

.... not to forget the most strange things:

"You walk too slowly in the corridors!" to me and: "You walk too fast" to our other PhD student.

" You should grow some hair!" In a grumbling voice to our postdoc- we've got three who shave their head/are involuntary bald. She can't tell them apart if they are sitting at a shared desk with their backs to my supervisor.

" Our technician has lost soo much weight- now she is so much more fitter and will be able to work more and think faster!" .. this one is hearsay, though!

S

add ''there is no time to be off sick ''to that!!!

P

What is wrong with these people?! If they (supervisors) worked in the private sector they would have been hauled in front of an employment tribunal for this behaviour!! Mine is no exception, I just make sure I warn prospective students, probably why he has had no new PhD students since I started he he!

L

In a lab meeting... "I knew taking you on was a mistake, what with your history of mental problems....you won't pass, I only took you because of the reputation of your undergraduate supervisors..."
(mental problems actually means depression...and c'mon, who doesn't get depressed when doing a PhD??!!)
And then when she was drunk at a Christmas dinner...."You are the most inspirational young female scientist and you remind me of myself at your age, except I was better".
And on my first day..."I'm sorry, who are you?"
And then a few moments later..."Oh yes, I had forgotten. You have braces. My mother was an oral surgeon. Open your mouth so I can see". (and i did, my mouth was open anyway at the fact she didn't know who I was!!!!).

P

Glad to see this thread back, so funny, sorry at your expense, ir261!! Unbelievable....thanking my lucky stars that so far, it seems I have a fantastic supervisor

P

I mean lr261, I think

J

Hang on - "I knew taking you on was a mistake, what with your history of mental problems....you won't pass, I only took you because of the reputation of your undergraduate supervisors..."

What the f@*&?! "You won't pass"?! How dare she say that?

As for the last bit; well, if that's true then she has just shown how extremely unprofessional she is.

Academic eccentricity is one thing: downright nastiness is another.

M

"I do not trust you anymore!" To be honest the feeling is mutual i do not trust him either...

S

First supervisor at important meeting to explain that I want to transfer my PhD elsewhere: "my nipples hurt"

Second supervisor over dinner with several high-powered guests from other unis, demonstrating the reason I want to go: "I'm not sure what she does, but she's reductionist"

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