hello. as most of you know, am a third year student experiencing a number of difficulties with my thesis. looks like I will have to spend longer on it. i have had a number of problems with my supervisors and i feel that i could do better changing them. i have a number of appointments lined up with prospective lecturers, and am preparing for them. the reason i want to change supervisors is because of our different research interests. my supervisors say my work is bad because it goes in a direction they are not familiar with. lecturers in my field who share my approach say its good. am thinking of getting one who agrees with my approach.

Has any of you successful changed supervisors 2.5 years into your thesis or later? what was your experience like? what did you tell them? did you look for the supervisor yourself and then speak to faculty later? what did you do with your existing supervisor.

all tips and experiences appreciated.

J.

apologies for the typos and repititions.

I changed after just over 1.5 years - so not quite the same, but I did so for similar reasons. My old supervisor was generally bad, but I was most frustrated that she tried to change my research purely because she didn't understand it.
I got loads of advice from a friend who is very senior. He said that whilst you should have a new supervisor in mind it is up to your department to allocate a new supervisor, not you to pick. If you want to leave your supervisor it should be because they are unsuitable for your work, not just because you think this other person might be better... that's the line you have to take when you ask for the change. it is up to the Head of Dept to approach the new sup (although they will ask you for suggestions as to who you would like). My friend approached my new sup on the sly before I went ahead, but that should not have happened and could cause problems if people found out.

Hi jojo, i really have the same problem with you as well. My bloody supervisor is IT expert but i am management background. We always have arguments and i feel i just waiting to dead. I think the main cause is we really completely different personality, expertise, interest, and etc....besides that, he is sort of person who petty and ambitious as well. I feel i was tortured by him. I really think i can do better without him. I nearly to completed my 2 year but i still continous to play this game with him because i funding will be finished soon which i will finish next year. However, i just keep to do what i have doing now and try my best to make him happy. Now, i just treat phD is a life learning journey. Make one more friend better than more enemy. I totally he got family and friends as well. Whatever how bad he is , he should be got feeling and not a bastard. I will try my best......GOD BLESS ME

Hey Jojo,
I wrote a long reply and it just disappeared! Short answer to your query is "Yes. You will be able to change supervisors. Its a long process but its worth it!"

sleepyhead - the trouble is my head of department is totally supporting my supervisors and the director of research who is supposed to be dealing with this is saying nothing. i agree - the reason am looking for a change is because i feel that someone else would be more suitable for my work. am tired of having a supervisor who has no clue what am trying to do and is constantly pushing me towards doing what he understands.

cheekym... as for persevering with my supervisor, i think i have already wasted enough time doing that, and i'd advice you to be careful not to make the same mistake i made by persevering.

hairui - i hope that i eventually end up with someone else. i really need this change to get through this PhD.

Jojo, excellent advice: perserving with bad supervision is not the solution. It will only get worse. I think you have a valid case for changing supervisors. You will realise that they will not let you go easily as they want your thesis under their belt. The boys and girls will pull together to make sure you stay with your current supervisors. If your HOD is not supporting you, the next step is to present your case to the University Complaints Officer. Make sure you have someone from the students' union to support you. Its a long process, and it may make you lose your will to continue. Stay strong Jojo and call me if you need further information.