May 8, 2011
Keeping your supervisor happy…
With a number of new Masters and PhD students starting this month, it seems timely to update my note from last year on harmonious tutor/tutee relationships:
If you have chosen your supervisor because your project matches their research interests, then it does make sense to actually read and comment on their blogs, follow them on Twitter and Slideshare, read the articles they have bookmarked on (new) Delicious, attend their classes etc. They may well do the same for you in return, and then you both end up learning something 
Do not expect to discuss a blank sheet of paper with your supervisor – be proactive and give him/her something in writing that they can feedback on. We DO NOT expect perfection but we DO expect you to show some initiative.
Please don’t refer to yourself in the 3rd person throughout your work – in the 21st century this is a privilege reserved only for royalty…
Please don’t use American English – unless you are based in North America, in which case you are reluctantly excused
If you are submitting drafts for feedback that your supervisor has already seen, please make sure you have used “track changes” so that they can see exactly what you have changed since the last version.
Plain English is fine – please note that strangulated sentences and outdated academic language do not add any value to your work.
Please do not annoy your supervisor by asking impossible questions such as “tell me what I’ve left out?” or “how many references do I need?”
Finally, remember that apostrophes are possessive not plural!
Feedback on these points, or additional comments from colleagues and current students would be most welcome!
