Hey! Why did you move your laptop, radio, and various other bits and bobs from the table to the sofa to the table again? Don't worry - I do things like this all the time - - - just wondered!

I'd say there are a number of benefits to "networking". For example - increases your chances of getting a job or other beneficial things (directly through talking and initiating a collaboration or indirectly through your name being known), and it can broaden your view and give you better insight to your own research. Some academics don't engage in much networking, and many admit to hating it! So it is possible to be successful without doing too much of it. But it can have so many benefits on the other hand. I know one academic who did not engage in it, and had very few research collaborations, and (maybe as a result - who knows) her contract has been changed to teaching only.

It's great that you've identified it as a potential weakness. Addressing it doesn't mean you have to change your personality or let it affect your normal way of working. You can interact with others and still work independently - they are two separate activities really - so just have them in separate compartments in your head if that works for you - and tick it off each week/month kinda thing if it is not something you're naturally inclined toward. A good way to start might be to identify relevant reading groups, conferences etc to attend - and then just make an effort to talk to others (even though you don't NEED to... ). If you're not sure where to start just ask a question. It is always gratifying to be asked a question about your research...

Let us know how it goes!

This is an aside, but often it helps to work on more than one paper at once - once your draft is done for one to get onto another whilst waiting for the feedback. I guess you did this in the end anyway?

I find it rather odd. At least she apologised for being so slow. But still - if it is a pattern, then I would suggest that you try to come to a formal agreement about when to expect feedback before moving on to a postdoc with her. You could mention it as part of your own plan/development - as before with your gantt chart - but this time actually requesting that she agree to the plan (obviously there will be times when there are delays - but if she has agreed to a general timeframe then the delay should not be so major as that).

It is hard to broach things like this without appearing like you think you're boss. But at the end of the day, it is important for your research. I am lucky because my new supervisor is extremely on the ball planning and deadline wise. She herself suggested the agreements about when to expect feedback etc, and I am certain she will stick to them, as that is one of the reasons she is so successful frankly - she knows how to plan.

If this a general pattern rather than a one off then I think you need raise it (in a well thought out and sensitive manner - so as not to get her back up). You need to know that you can count on your supervisor for relatively timely feedback/not to delay your whole plan excessively. Otherwise, I think I'd be looking to move on.

Probably "peer review" meant they were selecting the anonymous reviewers. Now it is "under review", so they have it and are reading it. Exciting! All the best!

That's odd. Was it a manuscript for publication where she would also be author?

That isn't a good attribute, but the other things about her sound good. Can you have a meeting where you come up with agreements on dates for drafts and dates for having comments back? It seems like if her feedback was more timely you'd be more or less very happy with her as supervisor?

Hey Jamie_Wizard, have they diagnosed the chest pain? If it continues, look up chostrochondritis... it is a harmless but v.painful condition linked to stressed. Hope all's going well with the corrections.

Tudor

As long as you are happy and doing what you want to do :-) If you are happy then you'll be productive. That's more important than living where your supervisors want you to live!

Good luck with it all!

Done! Quite fun! Good luck!

Yes but isn't it the case that if he/she misses the deadline it will be too late to submit it?

I doubt it there is a specific piece of guidance about this. And if there were, it might put a strain on the relationship if you were to cite it! I would agree with ToL that a week is long enough - but in this case, I guess it could even involve you moving if you were to move institution? So this is a bigger decision, which might take more time. Perhaps you could explain that you need a bit more time to make the decision because of this, and suggest a new deadline (e.g., a week later).

Re the stress . This can have a horrible affect on one's ability to try and make a decision, I know. Could you take a day or two out, and then return to your decision with a clear head? It might help to summarise the pros and cons of the two options. Then weigh each pro and con up - give it points. Then add up the points and see which one wins. I often use this strategy. But often just the act of writing down the two choices and the pros and cons associated with each is enough to give me that "gut feeling" about what to do.

You could also share more details on this forum to see if people would advise you either way.

I hope this helps.

I am reading into this obviously without having seen the proposal... but could it be that it is too basic and too short - i.e., not containing SPECIFIC aims of the project and how these will be carried out? If it is too short and basic, then it is unlikely that it is covering enough to demonstrate a reasonable strategy to carry out the research idea.

Maybe aim for something a lot longer and more in depth - and then cut it down in words to make it more concise.

Best
Tudor

I wonder why they invited you to interview and didn't tell you that by email...

It would also be really useful if you could see some examples of research proposals - especially ones from your field. Do you have access to any?

Best
Tudor

This is really interesting and reassuring for all of us - thanks for sharing Pjlu.

Jamie - I was so caught up in what I was saying that I forgot to say - big congratulations!

Tudor

Really sorry to hear this.

It is horrible but I am just noticing how they were debating between minor (which most people get anyway) and major, and that it was purely the issue of timing that made them swing to major (ironically - they wanted to be kind and give you more time). This could be interpreted as minor corrections are needed so that the PhD is awarded but they will take some time to complete... vs. major corrections - will I even be able to carry them out and satisfy the examiners...?! Major is a scary word. But the fact that they were debating and told you they were debating suggests to me that you shouldn't be so worried (although it is still a terrible shock). They obviously don't think that your work is trash if they wanted to give you minor corrections but didn't in the interest of giving you more time.

I hope this helps a bit. Also - take some comfort in the fact that your papers have been peer reviewed (even if the examiners snorted at that - most people in academia do not). You will get the PhD awarded in the end.

All the best

I know someone whose supervisors have said similar to them. In fact, at the end of each year, they have told her she should quit. She has persevered (she is amazing and is of PhD material - her tenacity demonstrates it) and has been really forthright with them - like, OK, thank you for the feedback, so please could you tell me what it is I need to be getting better at and give me advice about how to go about it. With her, it has mostly been the need to develop her writing skills. As far as I know it has been working - although it hasn't been easy.

Have a look at this:
It is one of the best articles I have ever read on doing a PhD, and is clearly written by someone with experience. Your supervisors may be being honest with you - that at this time they don't think you are up to scratch - and they may think letting you go is easier than continuing to invest. But if you want to continue and are able to (with their help) identify the areas for improvement and ways to get there, then according to this article, if you have the basic core attributes, you have the potential to complete your PhD.

I hope this is a tiny bit helpful. Let us know what you decide to do. I think it is really important that you ask your supervisors to explain, point by point, EXACTLY what is needed to improve your work. Good luck.