advice
natureThe Careers team spoke to three academics who study workplace dynamics, including research integrity and professionalism, organizational behaviour, and bullying. They all agree that communicating and advocating for yourself will be key. But even if you can’t get the support you need from a PI, there are other options to help you finish your PhD.
to speak
Not all doctoral programs are equal, for better or worse, says Sherry Moss, who studies organizational behavior at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Although some programs are highly structured and require PIs to take a hands-on approach and set clear milestones, others put the onus on students to create their own structure, Moss says. A student who thrives in a laissez-faire style may not do well in a highly structured program, and vice versa.
If architecture is something you need but your software isn’t built that way, it’s important to create that architecture yourself, Moss says. This may include asking for feedback from your principal investigator on certain aspects of your work or asking them to review experiments before running them. Moss says it will be important and productive to enter into these discussions with clear goals in mind. It may be helpful to prepare a report in advance outlining recent experiences, next steps and potential timelines, and share this with your advisor before the meeting.
“Aunt of Doom” for working scholars
Getting the support you need may also involve management: Making sure your supervisor knows you need more of it, rather than suffering in silence. “In school and in life, one must ask for what one needs, especially if one does not get it,” Moss says. “Asking is not about being pushy, it is simply making polite requests. These requests may not be met, but they certainly won’t be met if you don’t ask.”
Of course, talking about yourself in this situation is easier said than done, especially if years of working with a non-participating PI have sparked resentment. Before you have that conversation, keep in mind that you’re likely to be more productive if you focus on attacking the problem rather than the person, says Allison Antes, who studies academic integrity and interpersonal dynamics at the research laboratories of Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.
“You can plan ahead, like, ‘How am I going to start the conversation? What am I going to say first?’” Antes says. “You can even practice with a colleague or someone else.”
You might consider role-playing with a trusted colleague who knows your counselor and can help you navigate his or her potential responses.
When setting up the meeting, it’s a good idea to schedule it in advance and give your advisor a rough idea of what you want to talk about. This will give them time to think and prepare as well. Instead of framing the conversation as something your advisor is doing wrong, try to stay focused on discussing how to improve your experience and your work.
To avoid pointing fingers, Antes says it’s important to use “I” statements when sharing your point of view. For example, “I realized I needed to discuss.” [this issue]. Would you be willing to talk about this problem with me?’. Conversely, she suggests avoiding accusatory language such as, “You didn’t support me enough.” You’ll also need to listen to what your advisor has to say, which may be constructive criticism.
No matter how prepared you are, keep in mind that a real conversation may take unexpected turns, so think about an exit plan, too, Antis says. This may look like you’re asking to take a break from the conversation if things get too tense or heated.
Find new support
Unfortunately, some relationships won’t be a good fit, even if you stand up for your needs. In this case, it’s important to seek support beyond your principal investigator to keep your doctorate on the road, says Leah Hollis, who studies higher education and workplace bullying at Pennsylvania State University in University Park.
You can start by networking with others in your department and reading your doctoral guide front to back, Hollis says, to help you better understand the expectations of your program and what you should achieve as a student. Building an academic support network outside of your university can be incredibly beneficial.
“Identify scientists whose work inspires you, read their publications, and reach out to them for briefings,” Hollis says. “Many academics are willing to share advice when approached thoughtfully, and these external connections can provide valuable guidance and perspectives.”
In these conversations, Hollis says it’s important to remain appreciative and not expect too much at first. As with other aspects of your PhD, it’s also important to remain persistent when looking for a new mentor and not get discouraged if you don’t find your perfect match right away, Hollis says. Fortunately, this effort to build your professional network will likely pay off not only for your PhD but also in the future when you are looking for support or career advice.