Working with your supervisors A/Prof Sam Richardson Former HDR Coordinator School of Medical Sciences 9 th April, 2015

Aims of your PhD: Publish!!!!! Network Conferences Practise presenting Practise writing Get known Most easily achieved with support from your supervisors!

Publish PhD: change knowledge at an international level Number and quality of publications will determine your career If you supervisor is not publishing – get another supervisor!

Network Within your School Other HDR students Seminars Within the College SEH HDR conference HDR research culture sessions Within the University Conferences Local, national, international Discuss with your supervisors

Conferences Present your data Writing abstracts Preparing posters Oral presentations Answering questions!!! Network Talk to strangers Go to the conference dinner Potential employers, collaborators, referees, reviewers Easier with your supervisor’s support!

Practise talking Lab meetings School seminars Conferences Local community Scientists in Schools Programme (CSIRO) Anything!

Practise writing Conference abstracts Publications Milestone documents Awards Thesis chapters

Get known Student rep on a committee School: OH&S, PG, Research Committees College: HDR Committee University: Ethics, SGRAB Start an HDR student group Professional societies Ask questions Seminars, conferences Assessors/reviewers of applications Fellowships, grants, jobs, conference abstracts, publications Easier with support of your supervisor!

Supervisors More than one (referees, contacts etc) Communication is essential Own your PhD Mentors / collaborators after you graduate

While everything is going well… No problems

Problems along the way… Relationships Friends Family Financial International student Housing etc

Communication with your supervisor is critical!!! Start of candidature Mid-candidature Be brutally honest with milestones If you suspect a problem – discuss it now! Light at the end of the tunnel… The final stages (stress!!!) Keep communication open

At the start of candidature… Tell your supervisor WHY do you want to do a PhD What MOTIVATES you Will probably change during candidature Honesty is critical Your supervisor has probably had a worse student than you!!!

Tell them about you Strengths/weaknesses Procrastination Time management Starting / finishing / perfectionist Issues with writing Punctuality Morning/night person Formal/informal PT work Family

Establish expectations and responsibilities now Discuss and agree on (make notes): Senior supervisor’s expectations Senior supervisor’s responsibilities Student’s expectations Student’s responsibilities Associate supervisors’ roles Will probably be slightly different for each student-supervisor relationship

Things to discuss now Their expectations of you PhD candidature (3 years or 4? Duration of scholarship?) Working hours (weekends? paid work? public holidays? 4 weeks?) Communication (regular meetings, text/ ) Change knowledge at an international level (are all aims defined?) Level of independence during candidature (increase?) Publications (authorship, writing, timing, choice of journal etc) Your expectations of them Coping with constant stress and pressure (perseverance and resilience) Communication (availability, regular meetings, day-to-day supervision) Feedback on written work Other…

The biggest problem: Breakdown in communication between student and supervisor Loss of respect and trust Both the supervisor and the student can consult Other team supervisors / mentors / collaborators School HDR Coordinator DHoS(R&I) Other HDR students

At the end of the day… Motivation and successful completion of a PhD is ultimately up to you! Supervisors/advisors can only guide/advise Open and honest communication with your supervisor is important Help you through the tough times Supervisors are on your team!!! Supervisors are only human – we are not perfect 

Good luck!!! I hope this has been helpful