Hello all, first post on the forum

So, I'm approaching the end of my first year in a 3 year science PhD. Thus far, it's been pretty tough and I can't claim to have enjoyed a great deal of it... but I was hoping to push through. However, I've recently discovered my supervisor has some significant health problems, which are going to severely impact on his ability to support me. To the extent that my advisor/internal examiner, who has had minimal involvement in the work so far, will be stepping into the breach. The problem is that whilst I have a lot of respect for him, I'm concerned he won't have enough of a specialisation in the field or time to fulfil the role.

On a practical level, I could try and get more technical advice outside the university. This worries me though, because it might mean I can't get much help day to day. Alternatively, I could skew my research towards a topic my new supervisor might be better placed to help with, at a cost of losing time. What to do? I'd welcome any thoughts or ideas, especially from those who have been in similar situations.

Cheers

My supervisor moved 500 miles away a couple of years into my part-time PhD, so around the same stage you are at. He tried to act as my supervisor long-distance, but a year later another academic stepped in. I knew him very well - he'd overseen the Masters course I'd taken - but his specialism wasn't in my area. But he was a good enough historian that he could usefully supervise my work, and gave me excellent feedback, and it worked out really well.

I was concerned he would want me to change direction, especially since by then I was halfway through the degree. But I stuck my ground, and my original supervisor also made the point that I was well through my research and it was a case of supporting me more than guiding me.

I was also concerned that I would get conflicting feedback from the two of them, especially because my original supervisor was still reading my work and giving me feedback on it. But they tried very hard to channel their feedback through the new local sup, and it worked very well. I was also told, repeatedly, that it was ultimately my decision about what to do, if they disagreed.

I'd be very reluctant to recommend changing your research towards the new supervisor. Your research is underway and I would have thought it was better to carry on with it. Also, thinking worst case scenario, what if your new sup has to move in future as well? I know another PhD-er in my department (full-time) who had many supervisors by the time she successfully completed.

I would suggest that you continue with what you're doing, but look into what other support arrangements you might need, including anything outside the university. And, above all, remember that it is *your* PhD, and make sure that you stay in charge of it.

Good luck!

Thanks for the constructive reply - that's an excellent point regarding the potential for another change (hopefully it won't be an issue but you never know!)

I'm going to see how matters pan out in my end of year viva next week and make an assessment based on that, but you've given me some 'food for thought'.

Could you please describe why and how the long-distance supervision hasn't worked - as I am now in that position and my supervisor is offering me the long-distance supervision and I don't know whether I want to go through with that? Thanks!

[quote]Quote From BilboBaggins:

My supervisor moved 500 miles away a couple of years into my part-time PhD, so around the same stage you are at. He tried to act as my supervisor long-distance, but a year later another academic stepped in.

Could you please explain why the long-distance supervision hasn't worked, what was happening - as I am in that situation now and my supervisor is offering me the long-distance supervision and I don't know what to do. Thanks!