Supervisor-Ph.D. Student Relationship: Expectations, Challenges, and Possible Solutions

Abstract

The doctoral supervisor-student relationship is a crucial factor in the success of any Ph.D.
project, and hence it has been always important to identify the weaknesses, try to come up
with solutions to convey this long-term hard work (Ph.D. studies) to safety, and emblement
those solutions in the postgraduate system. Expectations play a key role in driving this
relationship -they can be monitored and improved. In this report, we tried to find solutions
to close/narrow the expectations gap between the supervisor and the student. Among the
proposed solutions are honesty, consistency, and understanding. This can be achieved by a
regularly updated document intended only for both sides' expectations throughout the
doctoral studies period. Such documentation can serve as a base to achieve effective
supervision.