Challenges of Relationship with Supervisor: Perspective of PhD Students

Background. The study investigates PhD student-supervisor relationship as a key element of postgraduate training of scientific workforce. Both sides of academic process should efficiently cooperate in order to successfully complete dissertation, develop research skills and professional competences in  PhD  students. Despite its great importance, in practice the relationship often faces various barriers significantly complicating scientific activity and affecting emotional component.

Objective. To analyze the key factors determining the efficiency of PhD student-supervisor relationship.

Materials and methods. The authors used the results of pilot studies conducted in 2024: “Challenges of relationship between PhD students (individual PhD students) and supervisors” (questionnaire survey, sample of 244 people) and “Neural network in science. For or against” (questionnaire survey, sample of 228 people).

Results. The main barriers in relationship were identified: irregular communication, lack of clear expectations, disagreements in research approaches, overburdened supervisors and lack of research training among PhD students. These factors not only slow down the performance of scientific tasks, but also reduce the likelihood of a successful dissertation defense. Recommendations were given to improve PhD studentsupervisor relationship. Most attention is paid to the need for regular and constructive communication, a clear coordination of expectations and tasks, an individual approach and improvement of digital literacy among the participants of academic process. The authors emphasize that an integrated approach of eliminating barriers and effectively using modern technologies improves the quality of scientific personnel training and strengthens scientific potential.

1. Science without youth? The crisis of postgraduate studies and the possibilities of overcoming it / E. A. Terentyev, Ya. I. Kuzminov, I. D. Frumin; National Research University Higher School of Economics, Institute of Education. — M.: HSE, 2021. p. 12. (In Russ.)

2. The number of PhD dissertations in the Russian Federation has decreased by more than 60% in 12 years – Sadovnichy. URL: https://academia.interfax.ru/ru/news/articles/12012/ (date of request: 12.11.2024). (In Russ.)

3. Zerchaninova T. E., Tarbeeva I. S. The role of a scientific supervisor in the scientific and educational activities of a graduate student // Scientific result. Sociology and management. – 2020. – Vol. 6. – No. 2. – pp. 145-158. DOI: 10.18413/2408-9338-2020-6-2-0-10. (In Russ.)

4. Gribankova A.A. Scientific management of graduate students: socio-psychological aspects. // Higher education in Russia. – 2011. – No. 7. – pp. 70-74. (In Russ.)

5. Bedny B. I., Voronin G. L., Mironos A. A., Rybakov N. V. Barriers on the way to an academic degree: problems of the post-graduate period // University management: practice and analysis. – 2021. – Vol. 25. – No. 1. – pp. 35-48. DOI 10.15826/umpa.2021.01003. (In Russ.)