PostDoc Discussion Forum

Thank you all for your advice and support. It makes such a difference to have your feedback and gain some insight from fellow PhD'ers.

I'm still feeling pretty numb about it all. I contacted my supervisor yesterday and he just replied with a one sentence email saying he would look into it. I think he must have known as he's been very quiet over the past month and hadn't been very proactive in getting any information for me.

Much as I want to push them in terms of time limits etc, I also don't want to rush them into making a decision which might not be to my advantage. I have to assume (and hope) that the university is fighting for me and, I guess, leave them to their own devices until I hear more.

Having looked at the PhD guidelines, there doesn't seem to be any rule as to what happens in this scenario. They've only included a clause on if examiners disagree over what revisions need to be done...in which case the issue goes to senate in order for it to be resolved. I can't find any information as to what happens if they disagree over whether the revisions are up to PhD standard.

I seriously can't believe that I could lose out on my PhD over 12,000 words of revisions when, according to the paperwork I have so far, the other 150,000 words of my PhD are deemed to have met the standards. I worked really hard on my minor revisions and thought they were the best I could produce - I really tried to think outside of my own mind and tried to embody the mind of my external examiner. Evidently that didn't get me anywhere.

I wish there was something I could do but I guess I just have to be patient. I'm scared this is going to go into 2017 now and I just can't bear that thought...the wait gets harder as more time passes.

Hi Anz07, I'm so sorry this has happened, it must be so disheartening after such a prolonged wait and all that has gone before. I hope you have someone trustworthy at your university who can advise you how to best address this and get things moved on. Best wishes for a speedy resolution

Oh no, really sorry to hear this is still dragging on for you. It's unbelievable that they can't give you a decision after all this time. There really should be some regulations governing what to do in the case of a disagreement, and for how long the process can be drawn out - not to mention better communication with the candidate who is having to put their life on hold for months or even years and deserves to at least know what's going on!

Can you maybe ask for a time estimate of when there will be a result? Then you can justifiably chase again (and escalate to head of department etc) if that deadline is not met?

I really sympathise with you. I have many of the same issues with my R&R, around poor supervision, lack of communication, one obstacle after another... some days I can't see how it's possible I will ever get my PhD. But we can't give up hope.

Really sorry to hear this Anz07. Really hope this gets sorted soon with the best possible outcome for you.

Anz07 - oh no, I clicked hoping you'd finally had good news.
My advice would be to seek support from your supervisor if they are the supportive type. If they have been distant recently, it's probably because they know this but were forbidden to tell you. Ask if this situation has happened before and what happened. As well / Instead does your student union have any independent advisors? Or is there a departmental research student person or a good HoD you trust? Somebody who knows the university procedures inside out would be helpful to identify at this stage.
You need to know what should happen in a case like this, so that you challenge any procedural irregularities.A good supervisor would be doing this for you, which is why I'm suggesting talking to them, but you will by now have a good grasp on how likely this is. People will no doubt tell you to get a lawyer - I don't think this is that helpful at this stage as it would be expensive and finding one with the relevant expertise tricky. What might concentrate minds though is a few questions about the appeals and complaints process.
A similar case happened a few years ago where I work. In that case, a third examiner (a new external) was brought in to reevaluate the thesis and the degree duly awarded without another viva or any corrections.
I know you feel numb and you probably don't feel like a fight, but unless your supervisor is doing it for you, you do need to get informed and if you think they are not acting correctly, then start being everyone's prospective worst nightmare.

Hello all,

Thank you for your continued advice. I decided to call up the postgraduate office today as they never replied to my email which was sent a week ago.

I was told that the relevant administrator who is overseeing my paperwork was in a meeting and that I'd get a call back later today (that was at 11am). I waited until 4pm and no call back so I chased them again myself. I then got told that the relevant person was now out of the office so they couldn't give me any information. Apparently I will get a call back with an update tomorrow (I think not...)

Am going to start chasing this a bit harder now but am absolutely terrified of what will be waiting for me at the end of the trail.

Thank you all for your advice and support :)

In this instance I would probably go with your fellow academics advice providing they are permanent members of staff experienced in this sort of thing. There is a fine line between being pushy and allowing others to simply walk right over you. Not responding to emails is unprofessional and unacceptable.

Hello anz07 - hope you have heard something by now. I got my examiners' report (passed with minor corrections) through today and it actually says on it that the university will inform the student if the corrections have been accepted within 3 weeks of submission - do you have anything in writing?