Ask an Associate Dean

There are three Associate Deans working at Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies who support graduate students, postdocs, and their supervisors. Associate Deans are experienced supervisors and former Graduate Program Directors, and they've seen a range of different supervisory styles in their time at McGill. 

We collected frequently-asked questions from graduate students and postdocs below, and asked the Associate Deans for their advice. 

Have a question? You can submit anonymous questions here.

My supervisor is very busy. How can I avoid feeling like a burden?

Associate Dean Nathan Hall answers this question: "Do you have any advice for working with a busy supervisor? How can I avoid feeling like I am a burden on them? In my bachelor's degree, I didn't have a supervisor and had to figure everything out by myself. And now I'm not sure if I'm like allowed to bother my supervisor with my questions."

Can I change supervisors?

Associate Dean Russell Steele answers this question: "My supervisor and I have been working together for the past two years and we are not a good match. Our communication styles are very different in and our research interests have both shifted so much that we don't have as much in common as we once did. I think I might want to work with a different supervisor. Is it possible to change supervisors? What happens if I do want to make such a change?"

My supervisor always shoots down my ideas. What should I do?

Associate Dean Lorraine Chalifour answers this question: "I'm not sure how to handle a situation with my supervisor. My supervisor's approach is that it's on you as a student to figure things out because that's why you're here. But when I have a question or an idea, my supervisor shoots them down or he declines to progress further. What should I do?"

How can I tactfully seek a co-supervisor?

Associate Dean Nathan Hall answers this question: "I'm currently supervised by one person. I would like for a second person to come on board. How do I approach my supervisor about this? Should I approach supervisor two to see if they're available or interested before I bring it up with my primary supervisor?"

I am afraid to talk to my supervisor. What should I do?

Associate Dean Lorraine Chalifour answers this question: "What should I do if I'm really afraid of speaking with my supervisor? He or she is so strong and it makes me stressed every time".
 

When should I talk to my supervisory committee?

Associate Dean Russell Steele answers this question: "I have a supervisor committee, but I'm not sure how to go about building relationships with them. They don't work in my specific area exactly, so I don't run into them very much or have specific questions I need to ask them about my research. But I would still like to be mentored by them. How can I approach them about this? What could I ask for?"

Do I have to keep my supervisor informed about everything I am doing?

Associate Dean Nathan Hall answers this question: "I'm wondering how much information I need to share with my supervisor. Do I have to let my supervisor know about everything I'm doing? For example, do I have to let them know what courses I'm taking? If I'm applying for a PhD program or applying for jobs, do I have to let them know the details?"

Can my supervisor withdraw my funding?

Associate Dean Russell Steele answers this question: "I received a stipend as part of my funding package, my supervisor and I had a disagreement last week. And during that argument, my supervisor said that they would withdraw my funding if I didn't back down and agree with them. Can my supervisor revoke my stipend?"

How can I politely ask for a raise in salary as a postdoc?

Associate Dean Lorraine Chalifour answers this question: "I am currently a postdoctoral researcher at McGill. I received a new offer to work somewhere else with double the salary. I would love to stay at McGill, but hope to get a better salary. How can I politely ask for a raise in salary as a postdoc and increase my chances of actually getting it?"

A supervisor sits across a table from a student while a student takes notes with a pen and paper, photo by Sora Shimazaki

Supervisors

Students in discussion with each other, photo by Alexander Suhorucov

Supervisees

Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial 4.0 International LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial 4.0 International License.
Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, McGill University.

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