PhD opportunities: What to do if things go wrong

If either student or supervisor has a problem then they should first try to resolve it between themselves- it is important to keep lines of communication open where possible and not let things degenerate. If there is still a problem, then please seek advice- students should feel free to speak to their second supervisor, their thesis committee Chair or the PG Convenor (Cathy Abbott). Supervisors should generally speak to the PG Convenor in the first instance.

If in the end problems can’t be solved locally, then official complaints can be made to a committee in the PG Office; please contact Hazel Cox in the first instance.

These conversations will be in confidence and a strategy will be devised to try and address any problems. Supervisors might find the university booklet on Helping Distressed Students useful. Additional meetings of thesis committees can be arranged (subject to members’ availability) if the student and/or supervisors feel that this would help.