Hi All,

I have been studying for a part-time PhD and submitted a probationary report for extension to probationary, or upgrade to PhD. Prior to this, I made a complaint about my current supervisor, as he was very rude to me in an email, for which I received an unreserved apology from the university. However, following the complaint my relationship with the supervisor broke down. I felt very upset about all of this. He assessed my work and has made the recommendation to terminate my registration. I was told to only submit 4-5 pages, not to add a lit review and not to do any data analysis. He said I have not made progress and failed to devise a series of research questions. That my work was not of a standard for such an important document. This is not the case. I have collected data, included methods, did include something of a lit review. My work was also assessed by another in the department who agrees with my supervisor's findings. I don't understand. Everything prior to this was satisfactory and forward looking. I am so shocked.

I feel that as I have complained how could I then continue to work with this supervisor. I have had no supervision meetings for 15 months, as my main supervisor left, as he had to change jobs. So I had to then work alone with the other supervisor (the one I complained about) who until then had almost nothing to do with my work. He is not a specialist in my subject area either.

The university did provide additional support from another academic, who also was not a subject specialist in my research area. They have refused to find a suitable replacement supervisor until I passed the probation, but lack of support has hindered me.

I feel devastated. Any advice would be most welcome.

Thanks