Student-supervisor dynamics directly impact a graduate student’s academic success, well- being, and future career endeavours. This relationship requires both members to have a mutual understanding of each other’s goals and expectations and to recognize the power dynamics between one another.
A graduate student’s intersectional identity and individual needs also shape this unique relationship. For example, as a first-generation student, I knew I needed a supervisor willing to share their knowledge of my subject area and academia in general. Moreover, identifying as a member of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, I looked for research groups that respected, appreciated, and encouraged diversity in their work. Once I narrowed down the research groups I was interested in, I read their recent work to ensure my research interests intersected. I emailed to introduce myself and express interest by linking our research interests and requesting a meeting to discuss further. At this stage, we are often faced with rejection emails. Still, when a potential supervisor agrees to meet, we can use this time to understand the research and the social-cultural dynamics of the research group. This can be achieved by asking the supervisor questions and connecting with past or present graduate students. This way, you can inquire about the supervisor’s mentorship style, the culture of the research group, or what resources are available for your individual needs.
After finding a supervisor, forming a good, productive relationship involves clear communication and setting mutual expectations early on. From there, regular meetings and keeping your supervisor informed about your progress and goals are critically important. This way, you and your supervisor can hold each other accountable, improving productivity and keeping yourself on track to complete and understand your research. For example, my supervisor and I meet multiple times monthly to discuss projects, progress reports, and short-term goals as I navigate research and personal obstacles. Ultimately, you want a supervisor you can trust to support your research and your mental and physical well-being as you navigate the hurdles of graduate school.
Graduate students on an academic path are often encouraged to complete their degrees at different universities or other parts of the world to gain new connections. This stigma loomed above me for a long time, as I have completed my B.Sc. (Hons.) here at Memorial, and I will soon complete my M.Sc. and begin my PhD here. However, despite remaining at the same institution, I have countered this stigma by making new connections across departments. For example, my supervisor and mentor, Dr. Ashlyn Swift-Gallant, has helped me collaborate with Dr. Lindsay Cahill in the Chemistry Department. I encourage others to do the same to continue growing a student-supervisor network and maintain connections for reference letters and collaborations post-graduation.
Moreover, new perspectives can be acquired outside of changing institutions in the form of national and international conferences. Here, as members of a small university, we can meet other experts in our field, gain feedback and new perspectives, and develop relationships that
benefit research and industry career goals. For example, if you are pursuing post-doctoral research or looking for a good reviewer, you can aim to attend seminars related to your current work or your future research goals.
To sum up, finding a supervisor and maintaining student-supervisor relationships is not only about research interests but also compatibility, mutual respect, and proper communication. I have four main pieces of advice for future graduate students looking for supervisors or current graduate students looking to expand their research networks:
- Research your supervisor and their research group thoroughly
- Make sure to prioritize both research interests AND mentorship style when choosing a supervisor
- Build a professional network within AND outside of your institution
- Seek research groups that align with your personal identity and individual needs