PhD and supervisor issues

Do you have issues with your supervisor?    You may want to try the college mediation process for research students https://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/pg/graduate-school/staff/mediation/  

You can also contact the Postgrad school for support and advice. 

You automatically become a member of the Graduate School when you register as a postgraduate student at Imperial. They can help with, Training and development courses, Networking activities, social and academic events to encourage cross-disciplinary interactions. Forums to represent the views of postgraduate students throughout the College and Masterclass’/professional skills courses. Visit https://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/pg/ graduate-school/ 

All courses can be booked online. 
Contact us Level 3, Sherfield Building, South Kensington Campus 020 7594 1383 graduate school

Are you one of a number of PG students suffering from:

• Stress or anxiety?
• accommodation issues
• financial issues
• Struggles with work commitments
• Relationship issues
• Family issues
• Supervisor issues
• Are you suffering in silence?
• Fear your supervisor relationship or funding could stuffer and you won’t be supported if you make a complaint, then click here- remind yourself you are entitled to support and help as stated in your supervisor, student contract. 

These are some of the common themes we hear, stress triggers and conflicts experienced by PhD students. “ It’s not fair that I wait so long for a much needed timely responses from my supervisor”

How can we help

• We can tell you rights and liaise with departments and supervisors on behalf of you. We can support you through a complaint. We can put you in touch with the Post Grad school union group who meet to discuss things around institutional cultural behaviour? They can also take issues to Department reps. They can speak with course administrators and bring up issues at department committee meetings.

The quality of PhD supervision is a hot topic, not only at Imperial College but across the whole UK. Decision-makers across Imperial College are becoming increasingly aware that the quality of supervision is the major predictor of satisfaction and well-being of any PhD student. Together with the Imperial College Union, the College administration works hard in improving the supervision and the welfare system for students with problems.

There are many great supervisor-student relationships out there. But some are not so pleasant, causing stress and mental health issues. Severe cases of bullying and sexual harassment continue happening at most British academic institutions, as frequently reported by the Guardian.