Hi everyone,

I'm new to PhD supervision, and not being long from having completed a PhD myself, am definitely seeing more clearly the difficulties in being a co-supervisor, as well as remembering the difficulties of being a PhD student.

I'm struggling with my first PhD student, who just doesn't seem to be doing the reading (cultural analysis/sociology) they've been tasked. 7 months in and I haven't seen anything of the literature review despite asking, and there's still no real direction regarding their project, and they'll need to confirm by month 12. They also seem really stuck on this one argument they worked with from their honours thesis, and can't seem to move beyond it or think more broadly about the concepts they are working with, In discussions, it's clear that despite giving them some clear direction relating to the reading we've asked (i.e. topic areas and theoretical frameworks), this hasn't been done when we ask them about some of the major arguments coming from these areas.

Those who did cultural analysis or qualitative sociological theses, what assisted/helping you currently in getting past difficult points? What were things your supervisors provided or assisted with to help you get along?

I think my student has really good potential, and I think the project (from the vague ideas around it) is quite interesting and original. I'm trying to be as supportive and encouraging as possible, and repeatedly trying to provide some direction, but without seeing any work this is becoming increasingly difficult. Do I need to get a bit harsher/stricter?

Yep, be more honest about how you see their progress and give them a deadline. Ask them if there is problem since they haven't done what you've asked them to do before. If there's no problem, then ask them why they haven't done it. Keep pushing for an answer, because there must be one.

One thing my supervisor did in the early stages was to get me to write a critique of a key article in my field, one that had been influential in my initial thinking about my research project. I think she just asked for 1000 words at first and then I gradually expanded it until it became my lit review for my upgrade. It helped to have something small and specific to focus on and I guess it was also useful for her to have something to work with in supervision meetings.

I assume the student has to have work completed by the confirmation point? I think you are going to have to make the consequences of continued non-progress very clear to him/her both face-to-face and in writing, while they still have enough time to remedy matters. Otherwise if it comes as a complete shock, then you really have a problem.
Think too what your gut sense is of what the problem is: is it e.g. laziness, lack of research ability, some kind of personal issues like depression or just someone who hasn't realised that a PhD isn't a longer undergraduate dissertation yet? There will be students who however well they did at undergrad are just not PhD-ready and it is a huge step, especially if you don't do a Masters. Sometimes it can be a bit of arrogance - the conviction that their undergrad dissertation was so marvellous that they simply don't need to read the things you're telling them too. Or the opposite, so overwhelmed that maybe a very short piece of writing is the best thing to start with.
I would say too that if there's no improvement after your warning, don't just wave them through. A weak student leaving after a year is upsetting for all concerned, failing after 4 years devastating for the student and will have meant a lot of work for you in the intervening time.

Thank you everyone for all of your suggestions.

I will definitely bring to light the key article summarisations as well as being a bit more 'strict' about progress and pending confirmation, and chatting to them to see why they haven't completed the work they were tasked, and whether a PhD is something they still want to do.

I wouldn't be able to wave them through, they'll be up against a strict progress panel as they are being supported through a research centre that only has soft funding, and the RC won't want to 'waste' for a lack of a better word that kind of money if the student doesn't pull through.

We have asked for a draft outline of their project and a literature review to-date by October 13th so hopefully we'll get some work.

Thank you!