A group of PhDs at the University of Copenhagen (UCPH) have been left out on their own by their academic supervisor, a survey done by the University Post shows.<\/p>\n
One out of ten PhDs state that they only talk to their supervisor about their dissertation once a semester – or less.<\/p>\n
18 percent only have contact with the supervisor once every two to three months, and 23 percent once a month on average. <\/p>\n
The survey shows that there are large differences in the interest that supervisors take in their PhD students, making it a gamble for PhDs as to whether they get a supervisor that actually supervises them.<\/p>\n
And apparently the bad supervisors can be really bad, as the comments made by the PhDs in the survey shows: <\/p>\n
“My supervisor is always on vacation and my second supervisor always refers me to the first one who is not there!,” one PhD student writes in the questionnaire.<\/p>\n
Another just states “one year without supervisor.”<\/p>\n
One PhD writes that her supervisor “is looking for his retirement and has no interest in my research”.<\/p>\n
Supervisors are often too busy with their own research projects, the comments show.<\/p>\n
“I have a supportive, but very busy supervisor. Scheduling of meetings\/feedback tends to be tricky,” one writes.<\/p>\n
PhDs associated with the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences have the least contact with their supervisor, the survey reveals. 16 percent here only talk to him\/her once a semester or less.<\/p>\n
While some complain about lack of supervisor contact, others are blessed with a supervisor made in heaven, and get help and guidance frequently.<\/p>\n
Or “almost every day. As real supervision should be,” a PhD-student comments.<\/p>\n
Others are also happy with their supervisor even if they don\u2019t have daily contact. “In writing intensive periods about once a week, Sometimes several times a week, but at other times not at all. However, I can always knock on my supervisor’s door if I need something,” says one PhD<\/p>\n
“We have a scheduled meeting every 2nd week, but I drop by his office more frequently,” says another.<\/p>\n
(See an overview of all of the PhD survey responses on the pdf file below this article.)<\/p>\n
clba@adm.ku.dk <\/p>\n
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