Finding the right supervisor

The right supervisor for you

Student comment
Supervision is a vital component of your research. You need to take the initiative in seeking out supervisors you can work with.

The Guide to candidature states that, upon enrolment, the Higher Degree by Research ( HDR ) Committee will appoint a principal supervisor for each candidate, based on a recommendation from the Head of School. However it is generally expected that you will play some role in this process. Bear in mind that the principal supervisor will be a member of the staff of the University, and will hold the degree in which you are enrolling, or a qualification equivalent to that degree. But you may also be allocated an associate supervisor with particular expertise in your research area.

It is a good idea for you to make contact with potential supervisors to discuss your research before you put in your application. Be willing to allocate some time to researching possible supervisors, and don't be too hasty with your decision. Give some thought to the best ways of gaining information about likely supervisors. Talk to other research students and the Higher Degree by Research Language and Learning Adviser in Student Life. Some supervisors have a reputation for getting students through research degrees very efficiently. This may be just what you're looking for, or you may prefer a different style.

It is difficult to clearly define the nature of the student-supervisor relationship. Individual supervisors will have different ideas about their role. Some will be more actively engaged and provide a lot of guidance, while others will expect you to work more independently. Your supervisor will have responsibility for providing expert advice, but is also in a supporting, guiding and teaching role. You need to feel that he or she is someone with whom you can build a good working relationship. This is a very individual choice, as your method of working and style of learning may or may not match well with a particular supervisor. Consider both the professional and personal qualities of potential supervisors - not only their expertise and academic interests but also their availability and approachability. The section on supervision in the Guide to candidature describes the dynamic nature of the relationship.

Expertise and interests

Student comment
You've got to choose a supervisor with experience in the field in which you're interested. It's good to feel they're enthusiastic about your research.

If you look at staff profiles on faculty websites you will find information about potential supervisors. This includes their areas of interest, publications, and previous experience of supervising research students. A supervisor with many publications and extensive experience in supervising will have an excellent knowledge of the process. However, you may also benefit from having a less experienced supervisor who has an energetic approach and new ideas. The research administrator in your faculty office can also give you information on staff areas of research interest and the procedure in that faculty for appointment of supervisors.

Some faculties allocate two supervisors who have complementary attributes or strengths. One supervisor may have a higher level of expertise while the other may have more time available to meet with you. An associate supervisor can also help provide continuity if your principal supervisor is absent from the University for some period of time. Some areas within Deakin are moving to broader involvement of staff through setting up a team supervision approach.

Student comment
You can bounce your ideas off a couple of fellow students with past experience with supervisors. What are they like? How have you worked with them?

Formulating some specific questions will help you think through the issues that are important to you. Ask yourself:

  • Does this supervisor have expertise in my field of interest?
  • What are their past experiences in supervising research students?
  • Is there an option for me to have a principal and an associate supervisor?

Availability and communication style

Student comment
You just know that you can communicate with some supervisors better than others.

Due to staff workloads it may not always be possible to be allocated your first preference as your supervisor. Experienced supervisors may be in great demand and therefore unable to accommodate your request. However, having made some tentative choices it will be worthwhile having an initial conversation with potential supervisors. If you arrange a meeting time or telephone interview you will often find it useful to discuss respective research interests.

Ask yourself:

  • Is this supervisor likely to maintain regular contact?
  • How frequently would they be willing to meet with me?
  • Do they appear willing to assist and enthusiastic about my topic?
  • Do they appear to have fresh and creative ideas?

The resource on Establishing the relationship looks at how you would go about setting up a good working relationship with your supervisor.

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25th July 2011