Ths is quite a worry that masters supervisors can basically steal the student's data. I am currently writing my masters thesis, due in very soon. Perhaps I should keep out some of the Key take-home messages from the thesis. As I am looking to change university and carry on the research at PhD level. I would like to publish something and if supervisors can do this, it puts me off having a supervisor altogether. Perhaps I could publish with no supervisor. There must be training in writing for academic publications.

This had happened to me on a few occasions. My previous research idea I spoke to my supervisor about and that I decided on using a specific gallery as a location for recruiting my research participants. The supervisor said, "I've never heard of it" (the gallery). Fast forward a year when I intercalated due to being unwell and they are doing a project with the gallery! I changed research ideas and supervisor after that.

Then when I mentioned to an MPhil student my new research ideas and the next time I saw them they changed their research idea to similar to mine.

It is fairly rife peoples research ideas being stolen. It's so hard to know who to trust. I am enthusiastic about my research ideas but I need to stop discussing them with people. When people ask me what my research question is and methods I need to avoid answering.

Ogriv you mentioned people who are magpies and this seems very appropriate.

Brush up on statistics, research methods, pubic speaking skills, get some volundary work experience in the field you are interested in, even a few hours a month. Do some relevant free MOOC course's.

From my coaching session, one technique for being productive is the 10 Minute Rule. You do something for 10 minutes then move onto another task.
You have the paper work for the tasks in separate piles on the desk ready to start. Set yourself an alarm on your mobile phone for example.
It does work as the thought of just 10 minutes work is ok when you feel less motivated. Then have regular breaks. I ended up working more than 10 mins on each task.

Thanks. I was thinking about the one to one tutoring, mentoring or supervision for the fee waived student, and how the tutor or supervisor is paid for this time.

I know it's a way of doing a part time masters course, working at the uni (permanent job) and getting the fee waiver. If I work
part time (50% or over full-time hours) I can be considered for a full fee waiver.
I just wondered how these fee waived places are funded in real terms. Would it be from the fee paying students? The university I expect would need a certain amount of fee paying students per course to break even or make a profit.

Hi, does your uni offer free confidential one to one coaching sessions? From student support. Mine does and sessions are for students of any level. It has helped me with dealing with procrastination and going forward.

I did a search on this forum about bullying in academia and it has come up several times. If I do go on and study more I will take my time searching for a suitable supervisor.

I've been reading that UK and EU students can do a PhD for no or low fees in the EU. The following is from the FindaPhD website. It's disappointing the UK doesn't charge low fees like France.

" Austria - Fees aren't normally charged to EU / EEA students (provided you complete your PhD on time). International students will pay around €726 per semester (roughly €4,360 for a PhD).
Czech Republic - PhD study is potentially free for all students (EU, EEA and international). . . provided you study for your doctorate in Czech.
Finland - No fees are charged for PhD programmes (though non-EU / EEA students are required to pay fees for Masters degrees).
France - PhD fees are capped at a maximum of €391 per year.
Germany - No PhD fees are charged for up to six semesters (three years) of study. Some additional admin charges may apply. "

Would it be of help to do a small amount of voluntary work along side studying for a PhD? Perhaps 2 hours a fortnight in something related to the PhD, so it doesn't take too much time away from your studies.

Something like volunteering for a community interest company or charity in energy. Would this volunteer work help with finding employment after PhD graduation?

It's interesting about the bullying and abuse by supervisors. It puts me off considering staying in academia.

I've had some human rights training and I will be looking to get more of this, it also relates to some degree in my research area.

Supervisors who bully are they more likely to respect those (PhD students etc) that have had human rights training? and the supervisor is aware they have had this training.

Thanks for the responses.

Thanks. Yes, they say 3 weeks before the deadline is better for them but also ok to email it later but it may take longer to respond. I wonder if I email it 3 weeks before the deadline then they will focus on spelling errors, the structure of sentences and paragraphs rather than the content itself. For example, have I covered all important sections and if my argument is strong enough.

From what I have been reading it's best to write the introduction when all other sections are completed. The other thing is I don't want to sit around wasting time doing nothing, waiting for the feedback. I will carry on editing my thesis. So by the time I get the feedback I may have improved the thesis quite a bit. thanks.

I'm writing my 20 thousand word thesis at present for my MRes. I've seen my supervisor twice, the rest of the contact has been by email. I have a deadline of the end of Sept.

My supervisor said they can take a look at it at some point though they are very busy. I wonder at what point in time would be most beneficial to email it over? Nearer my submission date (such as 2 weeks before) as it would be better in terms of being proof read by myself and my argument and structure. Or sooner. If I email it too soon it will not show the best of my abilities. I've made this mistake before. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks.

I've taken the bull by the horns and contacted the other school I could have done the MRes in. I have booked a full days training (along with other participants) in the other school with academics (paid by me). It's not for another 6 weeks but I can ask the academics lots of questions. I know a few of them a little already from attending various research seminars. It feels good to have some backup support.

Although I am only doing an MRes and have not yet moved onto the PhD I found the following article in the Guardian helpful: