Keeping researchers on track

Completing a doctorate is an exercise in persistence, commitment and good project management as much as it is a test of academic capability. At some stage in the process, researchers may flounder, and struggle to keep their momentum and enthusiasm going.

Whilst the ultimate responsibility for completing the doctorate rests with the researchers, your support and encouragement can make a significant difference to how well they progress. Consider what advice you can offer your researcher, and what else you can do to help them keep on track.

What should I be doing at this stage?

• Encourage them to manage meetings to get the best out of them, e.g. agreeing dates, agendas and outputs from meetings in advance
• Support them to review their research plan, e.g. setting intermediate goals and revising if the path changes, anticipating and planning for deadlines
• Use PDP to review progress - recognise development needs
• Ensure they are staying on top of the literature and maintain good bibliographical records
• Check they have a realistic writing up plan
• Advise them to be aware of the two PhD demons: perfectionism and procrastination
• At a basic level make sure you know where your researchers are and what they are doing.