Managing Professional Relationships

Developing and managing effective working relationships with your supervisors, advisers and those interested in your research is vital and can impact on your wellbeing and mental health.

Your supervisors are there to support, encourage and guide you through all aspects of your research programme. However, many PGRs report difficulties with managing this relationship. 

Working with your Supervisor - The PGR Perspective

Listen to a PGR sharing their experience and advice for making the most out of a supervisory relationship and to PGRs discussing conflicts during their research and how they addressed them.

Additional Resources on How to Work and Communicate with your Supervisor

Understanding the different roles within a supervisory team, establishing and agreeing ways of working with your supervisor and recognising that these may change as you progress are all key elements of an effective working relationship. Here are some ideas on how to approach this. 

• Voices of Academia - How to manage the student-supervisor relationship to support wellbeing
• VITAE - Understanding roles to develop an effective supervisory relationship 

There may be some cases where there is a breakdown in the relationship with your supervisor, in these instances, you should contact your academic advisor and PGR support team for advice and support on how to proceed. 

Making Connections

Throughout your research programme you will have the opportunity to discuss your research with those outside of your supervisory team. Check our Researcher Development website for details of resources and workshops on conferences, presentations and networking. And listen to one of our PGRs reflect on how they made connections.