Your supervisor(s) play a crucial role in your PhD education. They help you develop your research skills, provide sparring, and ensure progress in your project. Therefore, we recommend that you and your supervisor have an honest dialogue about your mutual expectations from the start of your collaboration – both when filling out the document Expectations in Supervision (PDF) together and continuously throughout the process.
Here are some key topics you should cover:
Define your project and clarify the degree of independence
Many PhD projects are part of larger research projects with predefined goals. Align these with your supervisor early in the process. Agree on which parts you can – and are expected to – develop independently. An early conversation about expectations for your independence can prevent misunderstandings and conflicts later.
Plan your supervision
Supervisors’ approaches to supervision vary. Some are closely involved in daily planning, while others expect you to manage your time independently. Clarify:
- How often you hold supervision meetings.
- Who takes responsibility for planning, agenda, and minutes.
- How you communicate if one of you is abroad.
Even if your supervisor has an ”open door” policy, we recommend regular, scheduled meetings where you not only discuss your research project but also other aspects of your PhD education. This allows you to address challenges in a timely manner. If you have one or more co-supervisors, you should clarify their roles and how, when, and in which situations you can involve them.
Become part of the research group
As a PhD student, you are part of a larger research environment with meetings, journal clubs, and other academic and social activities. Engaging with the group is important for both your well-being and your academic network. Talk to your supervisor about how you can best integrate into the research group.
Agree on working hours and presence
Researchers often work flexibly – long days during busy periods and shorter days at other times. Discuss with your supervisor how working hours and presence are typically handled in the group. If you have special needs, such as family commitments, this should be discussed early.
Plan your writing process
Scientific writing is a skill that takes time to develop. Clarify early how your supervisor prefers to work with manuscripts and feedback. It can also be useful to get an introduction to how co-authorship is typically handled in your research group. SDU offers courses in scientific writing and communication. See the university’s course page for more information.
Prioritize your time
Your PhD time will be filled with research, teaching, conferences, networking, courses, and other activities. A good schedule can make a big difference. Talk to your supervisor about how you structure your project and how you best prioritize your tasks. SDU offers courses in PhD planning and project management. See the university’s course page for more information.
Need more help?
If you encounter challenges that your supervisor cannot or should not handle, you can always contact the department’s PhD administrator. We can help with both personal and practical issues. See contact information here.
Aligning expectations early and continuously is one of the best investments you can make in your PhD journey. Start the dialogue today!