What is a doctoral supervisor?

A PhD supervisor is an academic member of staff in your research area who supervises and mentors you for the duration of your PhD programme. Their research expertise will help inform and guide you as you complete your PhD.

Your supervisor will provide you with information and advice on:

• the planning and scope of your research project
• primary sources and secondary literature
• questions of originality and plagiarism
• attending and presenting your work at conferences, and publishing your work
• preparing your thesis for submission and final oral examination (viva voce)

Your supervisor will:

• Request written work at agreed intervals and provide constructive criticism.
• Make you aware if your progress is inadequate or if your work falls below required standards.
• Advise you on submitting periodic reports on your progress and meeting other regulations stipulated by your funder.
• Refer you to other professional support services for personal or other problems not directly related to your research.

Identifying the right supervisor for you is critical, as this is the closest and most important working relationship you will have during your PhD. Supervisors should have expertise and interest in your field of study.

• find a PhD programme or project via our PhD research areas webpage
• research the academic members of staff in the relevant department or project on the departmental webpages
• ensure that the academic’s research interests, expertise, and publications are as aligned with your proposed research as possible

Keep in mind that some academics may not be available to be a supervisor, and so it is a good idea to identify more than one suitable supervisor.

The primary way to contact a supervisor is via email. Ensure each email is specifically tailored to each academic.

The email could include:

• a brief note on why you are interested in working with them and joining the department
• a brief outline of your academic background
• brief details on funding status (secured funding, self-funded, will apply for a scholarship, applying for a specific advertised position etc), whether you will conduct research full time or part time, etc.
• attach a research proposal that is relevant to the supervisor’s research interests and/or publication record

Academics may request a follow-up meeting to discuss more, in-person or online.