Important people for your PhD research

Working on a PhD project is both challenging and exciting, because you are offered the opportunity to immerse yourself completely into the subject of your interest. At the same time however, you are expected to reach certain goals, such as planning and performing a series of studies and getting them published.

The faculty helps structuring this process by means of the PhD Training and Supervision Plan, which specifies the purpose of your assignment, your tasks, research topic, courses to be followed, and courses to be taught. It also formally specifies your supervisor(s) and assessors, who after the first year will check whether you have made the desired progress. You have the option to include a course on Project Management in your Training and Supervision Plan.

Several people play an important role for your PhD research.

Promoter and day-to-day supervisor

The promoter is responsible for the supervision of the PhD candidate and for the quality of the research performed by the PhD candidate. Quite often this supervision is delegated to one or more day-to-day supervisors. The supervisor is also a member of the scientific staff of the faculty and specifically an expert on the candidate’s field of research. If necessary, other people can be involved in the supervision, for example a methodologist for advice concerning the research techniques. The PhD candidate is required to discuss the progress of his/her research with the promoter or supervisor at least once every two weeks.

PhD mentor

Each research institute has a mentor for all the PhD candidates of that institute. At the start of their PhD research, the candidates are introduced to their mentor. Some mentors organize meetings for the PhD candidates. The candidates can always turn to their mentor for individual questions and support.

Director of research institute

In the faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences, research is performed in three different fields of study. These fields of study each have their own research institute and a director of research. The director of research is responsible for the research policy within his field of study. In this capacity, the director of research is involved in the progress and quality of the PhD research, and therefore also in the assessment of the PhD candidates. At the beginning of their PhD project, PhD candidates receive information on the regular ins and outs in the various research institutes.

Graduate school

On behalf of the faculty board, the Graduate School watches over the quality of the training received by the PhD candidates of the faculty. If you have problems that cannot be solved by consulting any of the people involved and mentioned above, you can contact the Graduate School at gradschool.bss rug.nl.