Sorry about not-very-chipper comment, but I would greatly appreaciate advice.

Started 6 mths ago, supervisor very interested to start with despite my deciding to work FT and not living in city where university is, i.e. mature student that can and wants to carry out academic research but must meet real-world commitments. Took sabbatical soon after and did not refer saying supervision would continue, but has since then delayed meetings, returned work with superficial comments on style and level of English rather than content, and on one occasion not read work submitted for discussion at the following meeting, delaying feedback for approx 1 1/2 months - he won't write more than two-line emails.

I have contacted other academics in the field but none want to get involved in a transfer. I can't quite confront current supervisor because a) I don't want to waste the little time he will give me and b) He has delayed next meeting because its not convenient when originally scheduled.

My question is how to move on from this either within dept. or to another institution without stigma or seeming a high-maintenance supervisee, which is the impression I've had from other academics' responses or lack of them.

I take it this is your only supervisor? Never a very good idea to just have one (for all the reasons you've stated). Have you tried talking to your post-grad office about your lack of supervision? It might be easiest for your Uni to appoint a 2nd supervisor for you. A second supervisor could be within the institution or external. You might find that some of the academics who don't want to get involved in a transfer might be happy to act as an additional supervisor for you. Your university has a duty to provide you with adequate supervision so get them on the case ASAP. Best of luck.

0609, I am really sorry to hear that you are having difficulties.

Ann is right (as always! ) about your Uni having a duty to provide you with adequate supervision. I seem to say this a lot but I do think it would be a good idea to make an appointment to discuss this situation with your Department of Studies. I think Ann's suggestion of appointing a second supervisor is a great one and may indeed sort out many of the issues you have mentioned.

Good luck and I hope you manage to sort something out.

By the way, I only had one supervisor also but I was lucky and mine was great. I do think I would opt for a second for the reasons Ann mentioned if I was to do it again.

Thank you so much, that is really helpful. Just to know, second supervisors are customary in the UK as well?

Yes, in fact, most institutions prefer students to have at least 2 supervisors. I had 3 and this is not uncommon, especially for multidisciplinary projects.