Challenges in doctoral supervision

Writing a doctoral thesis is a substantial project that requires long-term commitment. While doctoral researchers have the right to receive advice and supervision during their doctoral studies, they alone are ultimately responsible for completing their degree. 

Supervisors are responsible for providing doctoral researchers with sufficient expert academic guidance for independent work. Supervisors provide feedback on doctoral theses and encourage and motivate doctoral researchers in their research and studies.

In addition, they support doctoral researchers’ integration into the academic community, assist in applying for funding and ensure that doctoral researchers are aware of any ethical and legal aspects related to their research.

Supervisees and supervisors must ensure that both remain up to date on the progress of the doctoral research. All changes are always agreed on together.

The rights, responsibilities and obligations of doctoral researchers and supervisors are based on University-level principles. 

The University of Helsinki is committed to promoting equality and preventing discrimination in all its operations.

An effective supervisory relationship promotes the smooth progress and completion of doctoral research. Challenges may occur in supervisory relationships. If you encounter problems or inappropriate conduct in your supervisory relationship, it is important to seek solutions in a timely manner and in open discussion between the parties involved. It is in everyone’s best interests to address issues appropriately.

The first step towards finding a solution is to make sure that the problem is not a misunderstanding. Many problems arising from conflicting expectations can be solved through discussions with your supervisor. You should keep in mind that supervisors too often have many concurrent responsibilities and urgent tasks, including teaching, administrative duties and the preparation of funding applications. It is important that you openly and clearly discuss with your supervisor your expectations and goals for supervision and agree on how they will be put into practice. Bringing up concerns may sound difficult and unpleasant, something you would like to avoid if possible. You can prepare for this, for example, by watching on the University of Helsinki’s Unitube video platform videos about bringing up issues at work: what, when and how things should be discussed. The ‘Bringing Up issues at Work’ video can be found in the Keys to Interaction video collection.

You should also keep in mind that your supervisor may have a different understanding of the goals and practical aspects of supervision. You can use the supervision plan drawn up at the beginning of your studies to support the discussion.

The purpose of the plan is to help the supervisor and the doctoral researcher discuss and agree on the principles and practices of supervision so that both parties know their duties, roles and expectations. If you do not have a supervision plan, draw one up with your supervisor as soon as possible. If necessary, the plan will be updated as the studies progress, ensuring a smooth path. 

In accordance with Rector’s Decision 801/2017, the doctoral researcher’s coordinating academic is responsible for the continuity of the supervision arrangements together with the doctoral programme steering group. 

Some issues in the supervisory relationship cannot be solved solely through dialogue with the supervisor. If this happens, seek support from a third party. Above all, it is important that you do not have to deal with the problem on your own. You may contact the following:

• Thesis committee
• Doctoral programme director or senior advisor

If the matter cannot be resolved with the above instructions, you can contact the support services listed in the table. For additional instructions, please read the University guidelines on responsible interaction in the University community available on Flamma.