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Email contact with your dissertation supervisor

Published on October 13, 2015 by Sarah Vinz . Revised on August 24, 2018.

How to best approach your dissertation supervisor via email can vary by supervisor. For example, some supervisors are fine with being addressed by their first name, while others would prefer that you only use their title and surname.

Table of contents

The style and tone of your message, addressing your supervisor, keep it short and sweet, no response from your supervisor, formal or informal, receive feedback on language, structure, and formatting.

Professional editors proofread and edit your paper by focusing on:

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See an example

Checklist: Formal email contact

Use an appropriate salutation. Example:  Dear Dr. X,

Explain the purpose of your email. Example: I am writing in follow-up to our meeting on Monday.

Be brief and clear about exactly what you want to say or ask. Example:  I have made the changes that we agreed on. Could you please check and confirm them?

Express your appreciation in advance. Example:  Thanks in advance for your help.

Use an appropriate closing. Example: Sincerely,

Your email looks appropriately formal.

In your first email contact with your dissertation supervisor, it is wise to address him or her quite formally (such as “Dear Dr. X” or “Dear Prof. Y”). You do not know what your supervisor will be comfortable with, so it is best to play it safe.

If your initial contact is too informal, your supervisor may get the wrong impression and start to question your professionalism and attitude.

If your supervisor’s response to your email closes with only his or her first name (such as “Sincerely, Ken”), you can assume that it is okay to address him or her by first name in your next message. To be extra safe, you can also wait until you have received a few more messages where he or she has closed in this way.

Examples of salutations and closings

Email signature

It is generally not necessary to use an email signature when corresponding with your supervisor. However, if your program requires that you do so or if it is your personal preference, you can use the following model:

• Name (first and surname)
• Educational institution
• Phone number
• Email address

Flawless writing

What is important in all cases is that your message is error-free. Make sure you use proper English (or whichever language is appropriate) and that you do not make any grammatical or spelling errors. Before you send a message to your supervisor, you are strongly advised to re-read the text carefully or even to have someone else read it, too.

A neat and accurate message shows your supervisor that you are both professional and serious about your project.

Dissertation supervisors are often busy people who are involved in many things at the same time. It is therefore important to be as clear and specific as possible in your messages, so they can quickly see what your problem is and then react.

Tips for writing clear and maintaining smooth contact

• Make sure you stick to only things that are relevant to your dissertation. For example, do not share stories from your personal life with your supervisor (unless they are important with regard to your results).
• Formulate your questions as clearly and concisely as possible , so that your supervisor understands what you want and can respond quickly.
• Do not ask long or complicated questions in an email; saving these queries for times when you have more personal contact will make things easier for both of you. You will spare your supervisor the time that he or she would need to reply in writing. On your side, asking such questions face-to-face allows you to get more comprehensive answers and to ask follow-up questions if you do not understand something.
• Give your supervisor enough time to respond. For example, don’t send questions the night before you have to submit something; do it a few days in advance instead.
• Always respond as quickly as possible to messages from your supervisor (when relevant). This includes confirming any appointments your supervisor proposes, answering all of his or her questions, indicating things you don’t understand and providing any information that he or she requests.
• The responsibility for writing the dissertation is yours. Instead of waiting for your supervisor to make contact, take the initiative to make an appointment. This is also better for your supervisor, because it shows him or her that you are serious about your project.

Confirming appointments via email

If you arrange something about an appointment with your supervisor verbally, it is smart to still confirm it via email. You then have something in writing to fall back on if any issues arise.

Similarly, it is also a good idea to summarize what you have agreed on, such as deadlines and matters relating to substantive issues. Ask your supervisor to check and confirm your notes, so that you are both 100% clear on where you stand.

See some sample emails

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Supervisors will generally always respond to your messages, but some are faster than others. If you do not get a reply, first think about whether there could be an obvious reason for the delay, such as that it is already late in the evening, it’s the weekend, or it’s a holiday.

Also note that not all supervisors are available five days a week. You can often find out what days your supervisor is available through your school. Before taking any action, consider how fast you need an answer. You don’t want to appear too impatient to your supervisor.

If you really cannot wait any longer or you haven’t heard anything from your supervisor in several days, send a polite reminder email. You can either briefly restate your question or refer to your previous message.

If you still do not get a response, try contacting your program or university. A department secretary can often connect you with your supervisor.

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Vinz, S. (2018, August 24). Email contact with your dissertation supervisor. Scribbr. Retrieved September 22, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/tips/e-mail-contact-with-your-dissertation-supervisor/

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Sarah's academic background includes a Master of Arts in English, a Master of International Affairs degree, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. She loves the challenge of finding the perfect formulation or wording and derives much satisfaction from helping students take their academic writing up a notch.

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How to Write an Email to a Potential Supervisor (With examples)

• December 15, 2021
• GRADUATE ADMISSIONS

Writing to a potential supervisor can exponentially increase your chances of securing a position as a graduate student. However, you will be walking in a thin line between setting up a great first impression or a pretty bad one.

The good news is that leaving a great impression is much simpler than you would think; it simply comes down to how you structure your first email.

When I was applying for my graduate program, I sent 130 emails to different professors in different universities in both USA and Canada. For those 130 emails I sent, I got 53 replies, with nearly 40% conversion rate. From those 53 replies, 22 professors were interested in offering me a position in their lab and encouraged me to apply formally through the university’s graduate office.

In this blog post, you will find some helpful information that I figured out during my application process about writing an email to a potential supervisor. 

How appropriate would it be to write an email to a potential supervisor?

Reach out and write an email to a potential supervisor before applying is definitely one of those topics where you want to find out about the norms in your discipline. 

Reaching out to potential advisors ahead of time is fine, helpful but not necessarily required for most people. 

In some fields, it might be strange or unexpected or something that people don’t usually do, and in some other fields, it might almost feel like a requirement.

This might be different in different fields because, in some disciplines, advisor fit is much more important than others.  

Suppose you are in a discipline like humanities where you’re not working very closely with an advisor. In that case, it might be that students are accepted into the department generally, and that advisor fit doesn’t really matter.

In that case, you should still talk about specific faculty in your statement of purpose because that is a good reason why you’re applying to that program. 

It shows that you’ve done your research.

But you probably don’t need to do fact-finding on the capacity of individual faculty members before you submit your application.

But if you are in one of those disciplines where advisor fit can be essential for admission, writing an email to a potential supervisor is very important.

Overall, reaching out to potential advisors isn’t something you have to do, but it’s really more of a fact-finding mission.

It can be beneficial for you to get some helpful information.

Find out if they have the resources to recruit you.

Sometimes there’s one perfect potential advisor for you in a department, and that person cannot take on new advisees for some reason.

Maybe the funding capacity limit is already reached when you email the professor.

If that’s the case, they often are upfront about that and might even suggest other people that you should consider talking to or writing about in your application materials.

If you get one of these responses from a professor who says,” I’m unlikely to take on new PhD advisees”, that does not mean that you should not apply for that program.

Also, do not forget to follow up because sometimes the funding capacity can change at the last moment.

This is one of the advantages of writing an email to a potential supervisor because they might let you know if something like that happens.

But it’s good for you to know that you should look into other options as well. Even if you are highly interested in that particular program, putting all your eggs in one basket is not a good idea.

The other important thing that you could find out from reaching out to a prospective advisor is their current research direction.

For example, if you look at someone’s recent publications, think about when the professor did that research.

If a paper is published recently, this paper went through peer review. 

Roughly add the revision time and paper writing time.

They might have done that research two years ago.

Are they still doing that kind of research?

You can, of course, find out a fair amount of research work and their timelines by going to a faculty member’s website or by looking at current grant funding.

Especially, grand funding tells you what that person will be doing for the next few years.

People’s trajectories can change a lot. 

Have I ever made a mistake like this? I have. Big time! See the below email I received when I was writing to a professor!

So, you want to make sure you have an idea of what they’re doing now because you could mention them in your statement of purpose letter .

When should you reach out to a potential supervisor?

Typically graduate applications are due late fall / early winter.

You should check and make sure that you have a sense of this timeline.

It wouldn’t necessarily hurt to reach out earlier. 

But, I would recommend reaching out one to two months before the deadline because that’s when supervisors know if they can offer new graduate student positions.

Sometimes funding decisions come in over the summer, so they might undoubtedly know whether they’re taking on new graduate students when the deadlines are closer.

Another reason not to email professors early is, some professors aren’t working as much over the summer.

Also, they might be heads down and writing a book or doing research and not responding to emails quite as readily as they might during the academic year.

A template for writing an email to a potential supervisor

Here’s an example email that I used when applying for graduate programs. This is the email I wrote to the professor I’m currently working with.

Make sure to adjust this email to be compatible with your field of study.

This will give you a sense of the information you might want to mention in your email.

Title: Inquiry from a prospective graduate student Dear Professor [name], I am a (Your major) graduand from the (Your university). I’m interested in a graduate study opportunity under your supervision in your research group. I am considering applying to your department’s graduate program, one reason being that I am very interested in the work you are doing on Hydrophobic surfaces. Given that your research takes both experimental and theoretical approaches for surface analysis and development, it further encourages me to apply since it is a perfect confluence of my research interests. I particularly enjoyed your paper “(Paper that you’re interested in)” and possibly see myself doing that kind of work. My own research interests relate to surface and interface science, computational materials science, thin films and coatings, and electrochemistry. I graduated with a (Your overall GPA) and a (CGPA) in the last two years of undergraduate study and am currently working as a researcher for eight months at [institute], a world-leading manufacturer of weight measurement technologies. At [institute]’s research lab, I am implementing studies on the micro throwing power of watt’s type baths by electrochemical simulations (COMSOL Multiphysics), ideally targeting to enhance Ni20Cr thin films’ surface wettability. I have just submitted an article on my current research findings, which was accepted by Materials Today: Proceedings. I have attached our recent publication and other relevant documents with more details. I am wondering if you will be considering taking on new PhD advisees for September intake or if you have suggestions for other faculty I should reach out to. I would be happy to answer any questions or have an online interview if more information would be helpful. ( Your signature )

You will find more tips of writing the perfect email to a potential supervisor here .

First and foremost, do not forget to do your homework before writing an email to a potential supervisor.

Do not send the same email to every professor that you choose.

Although it seems like a lot of work, do your research first and write a specific email for each supervisor. You can always use similar phrases here and there but never use the same template because a professor who receives many such emails can easily understand what you are doing.

And, that is not a good first impression.

If you want to have a robust application, you need to research what faculty are doing.

Also, note that my email word count is nearly 250. Not including many things in your email is also essential when writing an email to a potential supervisor.

Professors are always busy. They do not have to spend more than 1 or 2 minutes on an email. So you must know to impress the professor within that time frame, or your email will go straight to the junk folder.

Note that I also mentioned a paper that I was interested in. This is optional. But if you decide to mention a paper, make sure that you understand the basic concepts of that paper. Because, if this email leads to a quick interview, they might ask some questions from the paper. If that happens, you don’t want to embarrass yourself.

But just mentioning the general research area is more than enough for the first email because it shows that you’ve done your homework.

Also, it’s very important to mention that your research interests and the supervisor’s current area of research are similar.

It doesn’t have to be exactly the same.

But it should be in the same domain. In this example, my prospective supervisor (When I was writing this email) was working on a combination of physical chemistry and computational modelling. The interests I mentioned align with what he was interested in. But they are not precisely the same.

Maintain an effective email management system

At the time I was writing to potential supervisors, I was working full-time in a research lab. My work schedule was 10 hours a day. So, it took me a while to begin writing to potential supervisors.

In fact, it was too late to start writing, and I was told by friends to wait until next year to apply. They have already contacted supervisors and secured graduate positions at this point.

This is when I snapped out of my procrastination bubble and began thinking about how to secure a graduate position. Moreover, I had very specific research interests, so getting into a graduate program has already been challenging in the first place.

Before contacting professors, I also reviewed their profiles at hundreds of universities to find relevant labs.

Therefore, I needed a robust and efficient system for emailing potential supervisors. After a few tweaks, I created an effective yet simple system for managing graduate applications.

I use the notion app to build my graduate application management system.

It only took me two weeks to find professors whose research interests were similar to mine. And I have secured a graduate position in a lab conducting the exact research I was interested in.

You can grab the template by clicking the link below.

Do not directly ask for a meeting

Something else that you might have noticed that the email was ended with :

” I would be happy to answer any questions or have an online interview if more information would be helpful.”

There are lots of different ways that you could do mention this.

However, you may want to leave the option open without directly demanding a meeting.

Because if that prospective professor is not taking new advisees for the term, it would not be a great use of either of your time to have a meeting.

If the professor wants to talk more to you, they might be the one to suggest a meeting.

Or wait until you get a reply from them to decide to ask for a meeting, depending on their response.

They also might offer in their reply to answer questions, in which case you can ask questions in an email, or you can say,

“I do have some questions. Would you prefer email, or would it be easier for you to talk on the phone or video conference call?”

Why would you not get a reply?

But, sometimes, you might not get a reply at all.

It’s very important not to take it personally if they do not respond to your email.

My email conversion rate was 40%, which means that I haven’t heard anything 60% of the time.

Believe it or not, professors receive more than 100 emails per day when the deadlines are closer. So, there is a bigger chance that the professor hasn’t even seen your email.

Maybe your research background does not properly align with what they are looking for from a graduate student to join their lab. Here’s a reply I received from a professor mentioning this issue.

There are other reasons to why you haven’t heard when you write an email to a potential supervisor.

• The applicant has no clear idea about their research interests.
• There are no vacancies in their labs to accommodate new students.
• Your email is poorly drafted, and you have not specifically addressed that particular professor.
• You copy many professors in a single email.
• There’s no subject on the email.

Types of responses you might get

If you don’t hear back from a professor, do not assume that that means you shouldn’t apply to that program, or you shouldn’t mention them in your statement of purpose.

You can’t assume that a non-response means that they have no interest in your application.

It’s possible that when you reach out to someone, they might be excited to talk to you.

Many of the kinds of conversations you might have in a pre-application discussion with a faculty member might be pretty similar to the type of conversation you would have after you’ve applied.

So, it’s helpful to have a meeting/interview with a professor this way.

Also, if a professor suggested looking for other faculty members, you should email them. 

Because those suggested professors might work in a research area that you might be interested in. It might also be a signal for people who have funding or actively recruiting new students.

So, research them and consider reaching out to them if they mention someone specific.

You might also get a very vague reply such as :

“Thank you for reaching out. I look forward to seeing your application.”

You do not have to take that as a bad sign; it just means that they’re looking forward to seeing your application.

They chose to reply to you even though they have the freedom to ignore your email. That means something. Do not lose hope.

Make sure to mention the faculty members who replied to you so that they will recognize your application in the application evaluation process.

Final words

Writing an email to a potential supervisor is an essential step in your graduate application process.

Having a clear idea about who you are writing to and why you are writing to that person is important to get a reply.

If you have gone through the same process and found some important aspects about writing an email to a potential supervisor, let us know in the comment section.

As always, be proactive, be kind and try to help one another!

Images courtesy : Mail vector created by stories – www.freepik.com , Business photo created by creativeart – www.freepik.com , phdcomics , Image by Freepik

Aruna Kumarasiri

Founder at Proactive Grad, Materials Engineer, Researcher, and turned author. In 2019, he started his professional carrier as a materials engineer with the continuation of his research studies. His exposure to both academic and industrial worlds has provided many opportunities for him to give back to young professionals.

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Very useful article. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences. I want to know about followup emails. How long we have to wait ?

I’m glad this article was helpful to you, Poornima!

Professors sometimes do not respond to emails for the following reasons: (1) They are genuinely busy. (2) They do not have funding to support your education and (3) Their inboxes are flooded with emails every day, and responding to them all can be a challenge.

Although the time to write a follow-up email depends on your own circumstances, give them a reasonable amount of time to respond. It is a good idea to wait at least one week before sending a follow-up email.

You can read our other blog posts to learn more about writing follow-up emails .

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6 Email Templates to Ask Someone to be on Your Thesis Committee

By: Author Hiuyan Lam

Posted on Last updated: October 20, 2023

Categories Professional Etiquette

Writing a thesis is one of the most challenging parts of being an undergraduate or graduate student. You need to know how to ask someone to be on your thesis committee, especially if you are looking for a mentor to guide you through the writing process.

If you are currently starting the dissertation process, these unique email templates will help show you how to ask someone to be on your thesis committee.

How to ask someone to be on your thesis committee: When asking senior students

  These email templates will help you figure out how to ask a senior student to be on your thesis committee.   Senior students are perfect for helping you through the writing process. You can ask a student with whom you get along and share similar ideas.  

When asking professors to be on your thesis committee

  Your professor would be an invaluable addition to your thesis committee, especially since they could provide you with unique insight and constructive criticism.   Here is how to ask someone to be on your thesis committee if the person is your professor.  

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How to ask someone to be on your thesis committee: When asking professionals in your field

  Professionals can offer diverse and useful expertise if they choose to join your thesis committee. Here is how to ask someone to be on your thesis committee if you’re asking professionals in your field.  

  These are unique email templates that you can use when trying to figure out how to ask someone to be on your thesis committee.   Whether it is your professor, a senior student in your faculty, or a professional in your field, these templates will help you get that positive response that you are seeking.   If you are currently working on your thesis and wondering how to ask someone to be on your thesis committee, these templates will surely help you get some ideas.  

Tips for contacting a thesis supervisor

When you are emailing a potential thesis supervisor it’s important that your communications are professional – first impressions matter! Your email should be formal, in many ways similar to a job application letter. Below are some tips to help you get off to a good start.

Email etiquette

• Start with a proper salutation such as “Dear” (not “Hey”)
• Use the academic’s first name or title and surname (e.g., Lauren or A/Prof. Kark)
• Conclude your email with a formal sign-off such as “Kind regards” or “Sincerely”

Introduce yourself

• Provide the academic with an overview about yourself – what you are studying, the research area or topic you are interested in and when you hope to start your thesis
• Provide a brief statement about why you’re interested in the topic or area and what you think you might bring to the project
• Remember to show your eligibility and enthusiasm!
• In your email suggest a meeting to further discuss the project
• Thank the academic for their time and consideration
• Be patient if you don’t hear from the academic immediately. If there is no reply after a week or two, it may be worth sending a polite follow-up email

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The Graduate Student's Roadmap: Choosing the Ideal Thesis Supervisor

Embarking on a graduate thesis can be a daunting task, filled with uncertainties and the potential for anxiety. The key to a successful thesis experience often lies in choosing the right thesis supervisor. A supervisor plays a pivotal role in guiding students through the complex process, offering expertise, support, and valuable feedback. This article provides a roadmap for graduate students to navigate the search for an ideal thesis supervisor, ensuring a good match and fostering a productive relationship that can make the thesis journey less intimidating and more rewarding.

Key Takeaways

• Evaluate potential supervisors based on their qualifications, expertise, and compatibility with your research interests to ensure a fruitful mentorship.
• Understand the supervisory styles and expectations to align your working habits and goals, and seek student feedback to gauge the supervisor's effectiveness.
• Approach your chosen supervisor with a clear and professional proposal, set mutual expectations from the start, and employ strategies for effective communication and conflict resolution.

Navigating the Search for a Thesis Supervisor

Assessing potential supervisors: qualifications and expertise.

When embarking on your thesis journey, the first step is to identify potential supervisors who have the qualifications and expertise relevant to your research interests. Begin by reviewing their academic credentials , publications, and research projects to gauge their standing in the field. It's essential to ensure that their expertise aligns with your thesis topic, as this will be crucial for providing you with the guidance and insight you need.

Consider creating a list of potential supervisors and evaluate each based on their academic achievements and contributions to the field. Here's an example of how you might structure your list:

• Dr. Jane Smith: Expert in renewable energy systems, 15+ years of research experience, multiple awards for innovation.
• Prof. John Doe: Renowned for work in cognitive neuroscience, author of a seminal textbook, leads a well-funded research lab.
• Dr. Emily White: Specializes in social psychology, known for groundbreaking studies on behavior, collaborator on international projects.

Remember, a supervisor's reputation and network within the academic community can also play a significant role in opening doors for your future career. Therefore, it's worth considering the broader impact of their work and how it may benefit your own academic and professional development.

Compatibility and Communication: Ensuring a Good Match

When embarking on your graduate journey, the importance of choosing a supervisor whose interests align with yours cannot be overstated. Compatibility with your thesis supervisor is crucial for a fruitful academic relationship. It's essential to consider not only their expertise but also their willingness to communicate effectively and support your research aspirations.

To ensure a good match, consider the following points:

• Assess the supervisor's communication style and availability.
• Determine their approach to supervision; some may be more hands-on, especially at the early stages of your PhD.
• Explore how they facilitate planning and time management for thesis work.
• Seek feedback from current or former students to gauge satisfaction levels.

Remember, a supervisor who offers a structured plan, like the [ Thesis Dialogue Blueprint ](#), can help you prepare for meetings with confidence. Tools for thesis writing, such as worksheets and templates, can also be indicative of a supervisor's commitment to student and professor satisfaction . Ultimately, the goal is to establish a relationship that fosters academic growth and meets mutual expectations.

Evaluating Supervisory Styles and Student Feedback

When you're on the brink of selecting a thesis supervisor, it's crucial to consider not just their academic credentials, but also their supervisory style and the experiences of their past students. A model for the supervisor-doctoral student relationship can be instrumental in understanding the dynamics you might expect. This model, as highlighted in the literature, provides insights into the interpersonal style of potential supervisors and how it may mesh with your expectations for guidance and feedback.

To gain a comprehensive view, seek out qualitative frameworks that analyze feedback within PhD supervision. Such frameworks synthesize rich qualitative data and can inform you about the feedback practices that characterize a supervisor's approach. Remember, the quality of feedback is pivotal to your growth as a researcher.

Lastly, consider the tools and resources that a supervisor might recommend or provide. Websites and platforms that offer tools for thesis writing underscore the importance of a master thesis in graduate programs. They emphasize independent research and the supervisor's role in facilitating this. By evaluating these aspects, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your academic goals and personal working style.

Understanding the Supervisor's Expectations and Commitment

When you embark on your graduate journey, understanding your supervisor's expectations and commitment level is crucial. Clear communication about these expectations will lay the foundation for a successful supervisory relationship. Discuss the specific requirements of your graduate program and align them with your thesis objectives. This discussion should include program-specific expectations and respective timelines, ensuring that both you and your supervisor are on the same page from the outset.

Consider creating a Thesis Dialogue Blueprint, which can serve as a structured plan for your interactions. This blueprint should detail the frequency of meetings, feedback mechanisms, and milestones. Here's an example of what such a blueprint might include:

• Frequency of meetings: Weekly/Bi-weekly/Monthly
• Feedback turnaround time: 5 working days
• Milestone 1: Literature review completion
• Milestone 2: Data collection
• Milestone 3: First draft submission

Remember, a confident supervisor will engage in open discussions about candidature time and progress to completion. It's also important to recognize that supervisor-student fit is crucial to your satisfaction with the learning experience and can influence retention or attrition. By managing feedback effectively and planning meetings strategically, you can navigate challenges and ensure a successful PhD journey.

Finalizing Your Choice and Fostering a Productive Relationship

Making the initial approach: tips and best practices.

Once you've identified a potential thesis supervisor, the initial approach is a critical step. Begin by conducting thorough research on their academic background and current research interests. Visit their webpage, review their publications , and understand their research trajectory. This will not only prepare you for a meaningful conversation but also show your genuine interest in their work.

When crafting your initial contact email , be concise and articulate your research interests clearly. Highlight how your interests align with theirs and mention any relevant experience or skills you possess. Here's a simple structure to follow:

• Introduction: Briefly introduce yourself and your academic background.
• Research Interests: Clearly state your research interests and how they align with the supervisor's work.
• Experience: Mention any relevant experience or skills that make you a suitable candidate.
• Inquiry: Politely inquire about the possibility of them supervising your thesis.
• Closing: Thank them for their time and express your willingness to discuss further.

Remember, first impressions matter. Your initial approach should reflect your professionalism and commitment to your research. Be prepared to discuss your ideas in more depth if the supervisor shows interest. And most importantly, be respectful of their time; academics often have busy schedules, so a well-thought-out and respectful inquiry is more likely to receive a positive response.

Setting Clear Goals and Expectations from the Start

As you embark on your thesis journey, it is crucial to establish a clear roadmap from the outset. Set clear goals and expectations with your supervisor to ensure that both parties have a mutual understanding of the thesis objectives, timelines, and milestones. This clarity will serve as a foundation for a structured and focused research process.

Begin by discussing the scope of your research with your supervisor. Define the boundaries of your study and identify the key questions you aim to answer. It's important to be realistic about what can be achieved within the time and resources available. Use the following list to guide your initial goal-setting conversation:

• Outline the main objectives of your thesis
• Agree on a timeline with deadlines for each stage of the research
• Determine the frequency and format of supervisory meetings
• Establish criteria for evaluating progress
• Discuss any potential obstacles and strategies for overcoming them

By taking these steps, you will build a solid framework for your research and maintain a balance between your academic pursuits and personal well-being. Remember, setting boundaries and practicing self-discipline are essential for a successful thesis experience.

Strategies for Ongoing Communication and Feedback

Establishing a rhythm of regular and structured communication with your thesis supervisor is crucial for the success of your research journey. Schedule regular meetings to discuss your progress, challenges, and any concerns you may have. These meetings should be seen as an opportunity to receive constructive feedback and to ensure that your research is on track.

Effective communication goes beyond scheduled meetings. It's important to be proactive in seeking feedback and to be open to implementing it. Here's a list of strategies to enhance communication:

• Utilize various communication channels, such as email, video calls, or in-person meetings, to maintain a consistent dialogue.
• Prepare for each meeting with a clear agenda and specific questions to maximize the value of the time spent.
• Be receptive to feedback and critically assess the results you obtain, ensuring alignment with the study objectives.
• Document the feedback received and the outcomes of discussions to track your progress and any agreed-upon changes.

Remember, a productive supervisory relationship is a two-way street. Your supervisor's insights are invaluable, but your own reflections and self-assessment are equally important. Embrace the process of self-reflection, and be prepared to communicate complex information effectively.

Dealing with Challenges and Navigating Conflicts

When you encounter challenges or conflicts with your thesis supervisor, it's essential to address them proactively. Your first step is to talk it out , as direct communication can often resolve misunderstandings and align expectations. If the issue persists, consider the following steps:

• Reflect on the nature of the conflict and your own role in it.
• Prepare for the discussion by outlining your concerns and desired outcomes.
• Schedule a meeting with your supervisor to discuss the issues calmly and professionally.

Remember, the goal is to foster a collaborative environment where both parties feel heard and respected. If conflicts continue to impede your research, it may be necessary to seek advice from a departmental advisor or mediator. They can offer neutral perspectives and suggest strategies for resolution. Ultimately, maintaining a professional demeanor and focusing on your Thesis Action Plan will guide you through these challenges.

Making the right choice for your thesis can be a game-changer in your academic journey. At Research Rebels, we understand the importance of not only choosing wisely but also maintaining a productive relationship with your thesis. That's why we've developed a comprehensive Thesis Action Plan to guide you through every step of the process. Don't let anxiety and sleepless nights dictate your student life. Take control and visit our website to learn more about how we can help you transform your thesis experience. Embrace the clarity and confidence our guides and worksheets provide, and start your journey to academic success today!

In conclusion, the journey to selecting the ideal thesis supervisor is a critical step in a graduate student's academic path. It requires careful consideration of the supervisor's expertise, communication style, and mentorship approach, as well as alignment with the student's research interests and career aspirations. By engaging in structured discussions, utilizing resources like the Thesis Action Plan, and seeking guidance from platforms like Research Rebels, students can navigate this process with greater confidence and clarity. Ultimately, a well-chosen thesis supervisor not only enriches the research experience but also fosters professional growth and paves the way for future academic and career successes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do i assess a potential thesis supervisor's qualifications and expertise.

Review their academic profile, including publications, research interests, and previous supervisory experience. Attend their lectures or seminars to gauge their expertise and reach out to current or former students for feedback.

What should I consider when evaluating a supervisor's communication style?

Consider whether their communication style is clear and responsive. Assess their availability for meetings and willingness to provide timely feedback. It's important that you feel comfortable discussing your ideas and concerns with them.

How can I approach a potential thesis supervisor and make a good impression?

Prepare a concise summary of your research interests and how they align with the supervisor's work. Be professional in your communication and show your enthusiasm for the subject. It's also beneficial to demonstrate your understanding of their research.

Discovering Statistics Using IBM SPSS Statistics: A Fun and Informative Guide

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E-post To Dissertation Supervisor – How To Approach It

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Writing an e-post to your dissertation supervisor can feel daunting. The process is often marked with anxiety, especially when one is uncertain about the nuances of professional communication or the specific expectations of their supervisor. Efficient communication with your academic advisor is a vital factor in your process towards completing a dissertation . This guide provides practical tips on how to draught an e-post to your dissertation supervisor.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

• 1 E-post to Dissertation Supervisor – In a Nutshell
• 2 Definition: E-post to dissertation supervisor
• 3 E-post to dissertation supervisor: Style and tone
• 4 E-post to dissertation supervisor: Tips
• 5 E-post to dissertation supervisor: No reply

E-post to Dissertation Supervisor – In a Nutshell

• The first e-post to dissertation supervisor should have a clear subject title, a formal salutation, and error-free language.
• Keep your e-post to dissertation supervisor short, relevant and with a clear call to action.
• If you do not receive a response to your e-post in, say, a week, you can send a polite follow-up epost.

Definition: E-post to dissertation supervisor

There are several instances where you would need to send an e-post to dissertation supervisor, as highlighted in the list below:

• Arranging an appointment for an initial appointment of a follow-up meeting.
• Asking questions about a problem you encounter and getting clarification.
• Confirming agreements for matters you discussed.

It is a good idea to make a summary of what you and your supervisor agree on regarding issues such as deadlines and steps forward. Request your supervisor to verify your notes to ensure you agree and are completely clear on the way forward.

E-post to dissertation supervisor: Style and tone

Write your e-post to dissertation supervisor formally and use your school epost address to come across as professional (in place of your account). The guide below gives tips on writing the e-post to dissertation supervisor, the style to use and what to avoid.

Addressing your supervisor

It is best to address your supervisor formally in your first epost. Since you do not know how they would prefer to be addressed, it is better to err on the side of caution. An initial informal e-post to dissertation supervisor may send the wrong message and cast doubt your attitude and professionalism.

If your supervisor responds to your epost with their first name in the closing, e.g., (‘Sincerely Gabriel’), it may be okay to address them by their first name in the following epost. However, we recommend waiting until you have exchanged a few more eposts where they have closed informally to be extra safe.

The table below gives examples of closings and salutations you can use in your e-post to dissertation supervisor on formal and informal occasions.

Epost signature

Using an epost signature is at your discretion, although it is not necessary. However, you can model it as below if you do choose to use it or if your programme requires it:

• First name and surname
• Study programme
• Institution of study
• Telephone number
• Epost address

The e-post to dissertation supervisor must be well-written with good grammar and correct English (or any appropriate language). We strongly recommend that you proofread your e-post to dissertation supervisor carefully for any mistakes before sending it or ask another person to read it to get a fresh set of eyes on it.

A concise e-post to dissertation supervisor will display your professionalism and seriousness about your project.

E-post to dissertation supervisor: Tips

Below are some valuable tips for writing an e-post to dissertation supervisor.

Concise subject line :

The purpose of a subject line is to summarize the epost and get the reader interested. Use a short, clear summary to reinforce your call to action.

Connections :

Make sure you mention any connection you may have with the supervisor. Did you hear the professor speak at an event, or were you referred to them by a former student or their colleague?

Keep it relevant :

Dissertation supervisors are usually engaged, so stick to what is pertinent to the dissertation. For instance, do not add personal anecdotes to your e-post to dissertation supervisor unless they are essential to the application.

Do not ask long, complex questions in the e-post to dissertation supervisor :

Save any complicated questions for when you can speak to your supervisor more personally. This will allow you to get detailed answers and follow up where you are dissatisfied with a response. You will also save your supervisor the time and effort needed to write replies to your questions.

Have a clear CTA (Call to Action):

Your e-post to dissertation supervisor should be very clear and leave no doubt about what you want from them. Ask your questions as clearly as possible. You are more likely to get a faster response if your supervisor is clear on what you want.

Introduce yourself :

After requesting to work with them, introduce yourself briefly. Include your institution of study, research interests and why you are interested in working with them. We also recommend attaching your resume to the epost.

Respond as quickly as you can:

Confirm any appointments your supervisor makes, provide any information they request, answer their questions and request clarification on what you don’t understand. Taking the initiative to contact your supervisor shows that you are serious and driven. Contact your supervisor to arrange an appointment instead of waiting for them to set it.

E-post to dissertation supervisor: No reply

Supervisors will usually always respond to your eposts; however, the reply rate may vary. Do not take it personally if they do not respond to your epost immediately. Researchers also teach research and travel, and may even supervise other students.

If you don’t receive a reply in about a week, you can follow up politely. However, be careful not to look too impatient by not allowing your supervisor sufficient time to reply.

If your supervisor still does not respond after your follow-up e-post, you can contact your programme or the department secretary, who can contact you with your supervisor.

How should you approach a dissertation supervisor?

Your first e-post to dissertation supervisor should clearly state who you are and what you would like from them. It is beneficial also to mention how you heard of them, whether by attending their lectures, by recommendation, or another way.

When can I address my dissertation supervisor informally?

In your first e-post to dissertation supervisor, address them formally by their title to avoid giving the impression of unprofessionalism. If your supervisor responds with an informal closing severally, you may assume that it is alright to address them as so.

Can I contact other potential supervisors?

Yes, you can. However, when sending an e-post to dissertation supervisor, you should make it clear from the beginning that you are also contacting other potential supervisors.

This transparency will help you avoid any misunderstandings in the future.

What should I do if I don't get a reply to my e-post to dissertation supervisor?

The response speed will vary among supervisors, as most are often engaged with other commitments. Wait for about a week, then send a polite follow-up e-post to dissertation supervisor.

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November 14, 2022

How to write an to dissertation supervisor email with an email template

How to reply to an to dissertation supervisor email with an email template, how to write email to dissertation supervisor using our email template.

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Replying to an to dissertation supervisor email might seem tricky, but it shouldn’t be.

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How do I email my supervisor? Part two – the thank you note.

The questions might be naive, but I do want to learn more about the “Australian” way of sending regards to supervisors. My supervisor invited me to a formal business dinner this week with some other professors. As a PhD student who just started research, I felt thrilled about this occasion. He will be on his sabbatical leave soon and we will continue to contact via email, once a month. From the culture of my own country, I should send my supervisor an email containing all the following items. However, I am also thinking about the concerns listed in the brackets. I am not sure whether such a personal email is too far for this more professional supervisor-student relationship in Australia. Thanks again for the dinner. (I have already expressed my gratitude orally and in a previous email. Will this be tedious?) Thanks for all his guidance and caring for the past several months. (But it sounds like a concluding remark, which might not be proper at this time.) Have a safe journey. (A must-say in my hometown. But I was told it was considered odd, or even rude by some Americans. The main reason for this email.) Enjoy the sabbatical leave. (Enjoy?) I will work hard during this period. (Another must-say. But I have never heard students promise this in western countries.) I am struggling between my rational brain and emotional brain, as well as two different cultures. Looking forward to hearing from you. Warm regards, Courteous Student

Here is what I wrote back:

Dear Courteous,

Inter-cultural communication is, indeed, delicate work. Add to that the stress of playing the role of ‘junior’ colleague in academia… let’s just say, it’s challenging. Even students raised in the same culture as their supervisor can struggle with this kind of communication task, which is why it is an excellent topic for a blog post!

When we write a letter, we are playing a role. Think about a letter you would write to a friend while you are on holiday vs a letter you would write to a politician, complaining about Australia’s refugee policy. Want to sound happy and affectionate to your friend and angry and persuasive to the politician. You are a different person when you write each letter. You play the role through your choice of greeting, the words you use, expressive punctuation and so on. For instance, you would not sign off an angry letter to a politician with “with love”; the recipient of your letter will feel very weird, and you will have failed to communicate.

Unlike other parts of formal education, you do not have a ‘social ritual’ that will guide you in everyday interactions with your supervisor; the relationship will emerge and develop over time. Each supervisor / PhD student relationship is unique. I have a very different kind of relationship with every PhD student I supervise, even though I like to think I approach everyone the same way. When the communication is electronic, the interaction problem is magnified because you don’t have live feedback from the person to judge and adjust your performance. Too casual? Too formal? It’s tough to find the right tone, especially at the beginning of your working relationship.

The ‘meta’ problem here is that you do not have a well-defined role to play. Are you a student? A junior colleague? A friend? You can be all three at the same time, or just one, depending on how the relationship between yourself and your supervisor evolves. Even if you do get to the ‘friends’ end of the spectrum, there will still be a power relationship that is unequal; at least until you graduate and in all likelihood, beyond. Recently I met my delightful and supportive masters supervisor at a social event, completely by chance. I studied with her 18 years ago now (!). Back then we were in almost daily contact, even though now we speak but rarely. We certainly became friends, after a fashion. But I still feel like a junior colleague when I talk to her. She’s the most unthreatening, lovely person you can imagine, so this wasn’t from anything she did at the time, or since.

It’s tricky, so let’s tackle it one letter at a time. Here’s what I would write, based on your list of what you want to express. My explanation for every sentence is in square brackets. Reading these notes gives you a sense of how difficult it can be to negotiate the supervisor/student power relations, even in a very everyday piece of correspondence:

Dear [whatever you call him/her – in Australia, most supervisors are more comfortable with first names from PhD students]

I hope you enjoy your sabbatical [‘enjoy’ is an entirely appropriate here – us academics are nerdy and a sabbatical is a dream come true!] . I appreciate all your guidance and care over the last couple of months [keep emotional stuff short and to the point, but don’t forget to include it. If you’ve already thanked by email for the dinner, don’t do it again because in Australia this will feel overbearing. We are not good with gratitude. Maybe it’s a convict thing?] . I plan to work on [insert something general, but specific here like your upcoming milestone presentation. Being specific shows your supervisor that you are confident and have things under control and that you have listened to their advice] over the next couple of months. I’m looking forward to our emails/touching base [this sentence confirms your agreement about communication over the next little while, so he/she knows you understand. The second mode of expression ‘touching base’ is more casual, depends on whether you feel your relationship is moving in that direction or not]  every two weeks. Do let me know if you need to change this arrangement for any reason [indicates you are flexible and understand the nature of his/her leave – gives them something to thank you for, an important ingredient of this sort of communication. In English, saying thanks demands another thanks and sometimes it’s hard to know how to stop the cycle. One reason why emojis are so useful in text messaging!] . Safe travels! [this is a casual way of wishing someone all the best on a journey – not offensive and entirely appropriate. you can choose whether you use the exclamation mark – makes it sound more ‘jaunty’ if you do, thus decreasing the emotional content].

[your usual sign off … mine is ‘best’ if I don’t know a person that well or just my initial in lower case: “i”, if they are a colleague-friend ]

Have you ever struggled to find the right ‘tone’ to email your supervisor? What were you trying to say? Did you manage to communicate well, or not? Love to hear your stories in the comments – from your issues, more blog posts might come!

Related posts

How to email your supervisor (or the tyranny of tiny tasks and what you can do about it)

Five ways to avoid death by email

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The Thesis Whisperer is written by Professor Inger Mewburn, director of researcher development at The Australian National University . New posts on the first Wednesday of the month. Subscribe by email below. Visit the About page to find out more about me, my podcasts and books. I'm on most social media platforms as @thesiswhisperer. The best places to talk to me are LinkedIn , Mastodon and Threads.

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First meeting with your dissertation supervisor: What to expect

The first meeting with your dissertation supervisor can be a little intimidating, as you do not know what to expect. While every situation is unique, first meetings with a dissertation supervisor often centre around getting to know each other, establishing expectations, and creating work routines.

Why a good relationship with a dissertation supervisor matters

What is important to know is that the relationship that you establish with your supervisor can be a crucial factor in completing a successful dissertation.

A better relationship often results in better and timely completion of a dissertation. This finding is backed up by science. This study , for instance, points out that student-supervisor relationships strongly influence the quality, success or failure of completing a PhD (on time).

Commonly experienced challenges in student-supervisor relationships, on the other hand, are “different expectations, needs and ways of thinking and working” (Gill and Burnard, 2008, p. 668).

Getting to know each other during the first meeting

Many first meetings with a dissertation supervisor include a considerable amount of ‘small talk’. Thus, you can expect to engage in a casual conversation to get acquainted.

Getting to know the work environment during the first meeting

PhD students who start their dissertation are often introduced to their lab, research group or department during the first meeting.

There may also be a discussion about accessing an institutional email address or online work environment as a dissertation student. And any questions that are important to answer to kick off the dissertation process.

Establishing a meeting and communication schedule

Establishing a meeting schedule, or at least discussing how often you are planning to meet, how regularly, and within what time intervals, can reduce a lot of stress and uncertainty.

Discussing your research idea with your dissertation supervisor

While you can expect a lot of Smalltalk, planning, and organisational issues to dominate the first meeting with your dissertation supervisor, it is common to also chat about your research idea.

Based on this information, the dissertation supervisor can already point you in the right direction, suggest relevant literature, or connect you with other students or colleagues who work on similar issues.

Discussing expectations with your dissertation supervisor

Expectations differ from supervisor to supervisor. Some may just expect you to simply get used to your work environment, read a lot and explore theories that are relevant to your dissertation. Others may want to see the first results in terms of a literature review or research proposal.

If you are writing a master thesis, your timeframe will be much shorter. Thus, it is even more important to define deadlines and milestones with your dissertation supervisor as soon as possible. The first meeting lends itself to making this plan.

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How to Email a Professor for the Supervision in MS/PhD

Are you planning to study abroad and looking forward to writing an email to the professor but uncertain about the criteria? In this article, you will learn “How to Email a Professor for MS or PhD supervision” and you must know proper email is the basis for research supervision, scholarships/ research scholarships , and fundings. 

Your email should be outstanding, gives a nice impression, and assists you to be a well-qualified applicant. The applicant should be acknowledged regarding email patterns, keywords, and structure.

How to Email a Professor for the Supervision in MS/PhD?

How to address the professor.

Ignoring an email by a professor is quite normal as they have busy schedules, so be attentive while writing the subject line. In order to make sure that your email will not be ignored, try to include an information-based, strong, and attractive subject line. By the correct use of words in the subject line professor will be able to catch an idea of what your email is about. You can write like that, “Request for MS Supervision Spring 2020 or Spring 2021” or “Request for PhD Supervision” 

Introduction:

Body paragraph:.

In this paragraph, with the consideration of the professor’s research area, mention your work experience, skills, and previous research work. The applicant can get a brief overview of the professor’s research publications, previous, and current projects by visiting the lab’s official website. In order to be a good competitor, you must list all of your achievements and expertise to provide a clear vision about your passion in the professor’s research area. Avoid any jargon or slang words, and any kind of complexity.

Last Paragraph:

Closing statement:, proof reading:.

Make sure that you review your email before forwarding it to the professor, it will help you to convey your message in the nicest way.

Sample Email for requesting to the Professor for Supervision in MS/PhD

My name is (write your name) and I have completed (your degree title) from (Full university name) with (your CGPA, don’t mention CGPA if it’s low). Mention I got medals, certificates, and achievements if any.

I have attached my CV /other required documents and I would be glad to hearing from you soon.

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Should I introduce myself to my supervisor via e-Mail or set up an appointment to introduce myself?

For my graduate studies my supervisor was assigned to me without me having spoken to him first. Now I am wondering if I should introduce myself via e-Mail and then ask for an appointment, or keep it short and ask for an appointment specifically to introduce myself. I don't want to waste his time or appear rude.

• professorship

• Getting to know his students is not a waste of time of a supervisor. Don't overthink it! –  Sanchises Commented Sep 5, 2016 at 10:46
• Sort of depends what you mean by "introduce myself". It'd be weird to ask for an appointment without stating your name, but he doesn't need your life history. –  Steve Jessop Commented Sep 5, 2016 at 13:52

4 Answers 4

I would send mail suggesting you think it might be helpful to meet, just to get to know each other, and ask if your supervisor might suggest a time that's convenient.

Personally, I'd recommend going to their office and introducing yourself in person. Ask if they've got a minute and, if not, arrange a later time to meet. They may, of course, be busy or absent when you go in which case I'd fall back to e-mail, and write something like:

Title: New MSc Student Dear Dr. Chappy, I am on MSc programme X, and I will be joining you to work on your project 'Project title' shortly. Could we arrange a time to meet up and discuss arrangements for this project, please? In the meantime, I am keen to get started. Could you recommend any relevant papers for me to read before we meet? Kind Regards, User61635

Note that there are cultural differences in how you address professors so you may need to adopt a more formal tone in some countries.

Also, be aware that when you've arranged what you expected to be an informal chat your supervisor may have different ideas and launch into a detailed technical explanation of the project. I suggest you prepare for this. Finally, and this is a key point, if you don't understand anything he says stop them and ask for an explanation . Don't think you'll impress them by feigning knowledge you don't possess, you will do far better to ask questions early so you understand what the project is clearly.

• Contact them -- be efficient. The draft above leaves them plenty of room to respond as they wish. And if they don't reply promptly, wait a little and remind them. They ask for a new supervisor - politely of course but they have job to do and if they don't do it, YOU will be the person in difficulties. –  jobucks Commented Sep 5, 2016 at 18:30

First of all, you should try to figure out what the typical course of action in your department is. For example, in our department, MSc students are also assigned to supervisors (both students and supervisors can have some influence on that process, but the principle is the same as it seems to be in your case: It's not primarily something between the prospective supervisor and the student, but between thesis coordinator (who assigns) and the student on the one hand and thesis coordinator and supervisor on the other hand.

In our case, students get an email from the coordinator laying out the further procedure. In particular, this email states that it's the student's responsibility to set up a meeting with the assigned supervisor within a given timeframe.

The supervisor will know that you have been assigned to them, so just emailing them to say essentially the same does not help much. Every supervision trajectory will have to start with some meeting, so it is most likely that this will be the first ``real'' contact you have. Depending on your department, it is either you (most likely, IMHO) or the supervisor (less likely, IMHO) who takes the initiative to set up the meeting.

You can write email to him, i would go like this

Respected Dr/Prof/xyz

As you may already know that i have been assigned to do my project work under your supervision. I feel honored and motivated and i am confident that under your supervision i will excel my skills and will be more productive.

I am really looking forward to meet you at any time convenient to you, so we can discuss further and i may start my graduate work.

Please suggest me the time and date for the meeting, and also advise me if there is any thing i should consider preparing for the meeting e.g. some proposal or articles etc.

thank you and i hope i will do well under your supervision.

• 3 Frankly, if I were the professor and I read " I have been assigned " (lower case I) and " thank you and i hope i will do " (no capitalization and lower case I), I would not be impressed at all. –  Nobody Commented Sep 5, 2016 at 3:19
• Its not to be copied and pasted, just an idea for have a look. And formal emails has to be drafted revised and approved before sending. –  Shahensha Khan Commented Sep 5, 2016 at 3:42
• 2 When you give an example of e-mail, please have it in proper English. Thanks. –  Nobody Commented Sep 5, 2016 at 3:48
• 8 Whenever I see something starting with "respected" I automatically assume it's academic spam. This example is too long! Make it short and to the point! Writing like this lowers the chances of the mail being read to zero. –  Gimelist Commented Sep 5, 2016 at 4:35
• 2 Cultural norms differ between countries, so this language may be appropriate depending on which country our Questioner is in. –  Jack Aidley Commented Sep 5, 2016 at 9:41

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work Hauptgebäude Chemie Johannisallee 29 04103 Leipzig

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 36000 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 36094

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work Institutsgebäude Grimmaische Straße 12 04109 Leipzig

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work Haus 3 Marschnerstraße 31 04109 Leipzig

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work Institutsgebäude Schillerstraße 6 04109 Leipzig

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work Juridicum Burgstraße 27 04109 Leipzig

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 35100 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 31135100

Dean of Studies Prof. Dr. Justus Meyer

Dean Prof. Dr. Katharina Beckemper

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work Institutsgebäude Talstraße 33 04103 Leipzig

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 36700 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 36749

Dean of Studies Prof. Dr. Immo Fritsche

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Wilhelm Wundt Institute for Psychology

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work Neues Augusteum Augustusplatz 10 04109 Leipzig

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 32100 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 32199

Vice-Dean Prof. Dr. Andreas Maletti

Dean Prof. Dr. Bernd Kirchheim

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work Liebigstraße 04103 Leipzig

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work Geisteswissenschaftliches Zentrum Beethovenstraße 15 04107 Leipzig

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 37300 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 37349

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work Institutsgebäude Linnéstraße 5 04103 Leipzig

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 32400

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Felix Bloch Institute for Solid State Physics

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Institute for Geography

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• Serviceeinrichtungen der Fakultät für Physik und Erdsystemwissenschaften

Faculty of Social Sciences and Philosophy

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 35600 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 35699

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Dean of Studies Prof. Dr. Thorsten Schneider

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Secretariat Carola Vater

• Centralised faculty body/Faculty of Social Sciences and Philosophy

Global and European Studies Institute

Institute for the Study of Culture

Institute of Communication and Media Studies

Institute of Philosophy

Institute of Political Science

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Faculty of Sport Science

work Haus 1, T-Trakt Jahnallee 59 04109 Leipzig

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 31600

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Abteilung Natursportarten (Ski/Kanu/Rad)

• Experimentelle Sporternährung

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Institute of Movement and Training Science in Sports II

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Institute of Sport Psychology and Physical Education

International Trainer Course

Faculty of Theology

work Institutsgebäude Beethovenstraße 25 04107 Leipzig

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 35400 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 35499

Dean Prof. Dr. Alexander Deeg

Dean of Studies Prof. Dr. Jens Herzer

Vice-Dean Prof. Dr. Roderich Andres Barth

Deanery Lena Seehausen

Secretariat Jana Tulke

Academic body in the Faculty of Theology

• Begegnungszentrum Universitätskirche
• Fakultätszentrale Einrichtungen/Theologische Fakultät

Institut für Alttestamentliche Wissenschaft

Institut für Kirchengeschichte

Institut für Neutestamentliche Wissenschaft

Institute of Practical Theology

Institute of Religious Education

Institute of Systematic Theology

Teaching Unit for Classical Languages

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

work KVR, KFP (Lehrgebäude) An den Tierkliniken 19 04103 Leipzig

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 38000 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 38099

Vice-Dean Prof. Dr. Florian Hansmann

Dean of Studies Prof. Dr. Katharina Luise Lohmann

Dean Prof. Dr. Dr. Thomas Vahlenkamp

Deanery Dr. Kathy Busse

Secretariat Ina Scherbaum

Department for birds and reptiles

Department for horses

Department for ruminants and swine

Department for small animal

Institute of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology

Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health

Institute of Animal Nutrition, Nutrition Diseases and Dietetics

Institute of Bacteriology and Mycology

Institute of Food Hygiene

Institute of Immunology

Institute of Parasitology

Institute of Pathology

Institute of Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Toxicology

Institute of Physiological Chemistry

Institute of Physiology

Institute of Virology

Oberholz Farm for Teaching and Research

• Serviceeinrichtungen der Fakultät

work Haus 5 Marschnerstraße 29d/e 04109 Leipzig

work Haus E Liebigstraße 27 04103 Leipzig

Phone: work +49 341 97-15500 Fax: fax +49 341 97-15509

Carl-Ludwig-Institut für Physiologie - Abteilung 1

Carl-Ludwig-Institut für Physiologie - Abteilung 2

Phone: work +49 341 97-15500 Fax: fax +49 341 97-15529

Carl-Ludwig-Institut für Physiologie - Abteilung 3

Phone: work +49 341 97-15520 Fax: fax +49 341 97-15529

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 36339 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 36397

Institute Head Prof. Dr. Rebekka Heimann

work KVR,Dekanat, KFP An den Tierkliniken 17-21 04103 Leipzig

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 38405 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 38409

work KFP (Stallgebäude) An den Tierkliniken 21 a 04103 Leipzig

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 38250 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 38269

Secretariat Claudia Baumgärtel

work KFK, Pharmakologie An den Tierkliniken 11 04103 Leipzig

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 38320 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 38349

Secretariat Tina Dögl, Ines Sackersdorff

work Klinik für Kleintiere An den Tierkliniken 23 04103 Leipzig

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 38700 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 38799

Secretariat Kathrin Fischer

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 37050 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 37059

Institute Head Prof. Dr. Julia Schmidt-Funke

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 35310 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 35319

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 32650 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 32668

Institute Head Prof. Dr. Jan Berend Meijer

Secretariat Anja Heck

work Haus W Philipp-Rosenthal-Straße 55 04103 Leipzig

Phone: work +49 341 97-15710 Fax: fax +49 341 97-15719

work Institutsgebäude Emil-Fuchs-Straße 1 04105 Leipzig

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 30230 Fax: fax 9605261

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 37505 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 31139204

Institute Head Prof. Dr. Christian Fandrych

Secretariat Ulrike Kersting

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 33720 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 33729

Institute Head Prof. Dr. Ulrich Eisenecker

Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 35419

work Institutsgebäude Prager Straße 34-36 04317 Leipzig

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 32753

work Institutsgebäude Burgstraße 21 04109 Leipzig

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 35180 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 35189

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 35210 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 35219

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 35430 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 35439

Institute Head Prof. Dr. Klaus Fitschen

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 35420 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 35429

Institute Head Prof. Dr. Jens Herzer

Secretariat Sylvia Kolbe

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 35250 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 35259

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 35270 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 35279

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 37330 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 37339

Institute Head Prof. Dr. Katja Kanzler

Secretariat Anne Keyselt

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 35190 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 35199

work Institutsgebäude Talstraße 35 04103 Leipzig

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 32900 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 32809

Institute Head Prof. Dr. Miguel Mahecha

Secretariat Madlen Wild

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 35130 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 31135130

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 35230 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 31135230

Institute Head Prof. Dr. Konrad Duden

work Institutsgebäude Johannisallee 19a 04103 Leipzig

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 32790 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 32799

Institute Head Prof. Dr. Vera Denzer

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 35240 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 35249

Secretariat Marion Kluge

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 33517 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 33538

Institute Head Prof. Dr. Thomas Bruckner

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 35320 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 35329

Secretariat Yvonne Apitz

work Institutsgebäude Stephanstraße 3 04103 Leipzig

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 32850 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 32899

Institute Head Prof. Dr. Manfred Wendisch

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 37120 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 37148

Institute Head Prof. Dr. Jowita Kramer

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 35350 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 35359

Secretariat Nikola Schurig

Secretariat Andrea Kuntzsch

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 35670 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 35698

Institute Head Prof. Dr. Dirk Quadflieg

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 37160 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 37169

Institute Head Prof. Dr. Markus Dreßler

Secretariat Steffi Rüger

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 33540 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 33549

Institute Head Prof. Dr. Thomas Steger

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 33690 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 33699

Institute Head Prof. Dr. Matthias Schmidt

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 37030 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 37048

Secretariat Claudia Günther

Institute Head Prof. Dr. Jörg Matysik

Secretariat Uta Zeller

work Haus A Liebigstraße 13 04103 Leipzig

Phone: work +49 341 97-22000 Fax: fax +49 341 97-22009

work Anatomie, Tierhygiene An den Tierkliniken 41-43 04103 Leipzig

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 38030 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 38029

Institute Head Prof. Dr. Christoph Mülling

Secretariat Janet Reichenbach

work Kroch-Hochhaus Goethestraße 2 04109 Leipzig

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 37020 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 37047

Institute Head Prof. Dr. Michael Peter Streck

work Biochemie, TH, Lemi An den Tierkliniken 1 04103 Leipzig

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 38150 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 38198

Institute Head Prof. Dr. Uwe Truyen

work Tierernährung, Mykologie An den Tierkliniken 9 04103 Leipzig

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 38370 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 38399

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 37220 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 37229

Institute Head Prof. Dr. Andrea Behrends

Institute Head Dr. Stefanie Mauksch

Secretariat Annette Veit

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 37600 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 37649

Institute Head Prof. Dr. Oliver Czulo

work Institutsgebäude Ritterstraße 8-10 04109 Leipzig

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 37250 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 37259

Institute Head Prof. Andreas Wendt

Secretariat Kerstin Rösel

work Wünschmanns Hof Dittrichring 18-20 04109 Leipzig

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 35550 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 35559

Institute Head PD Dr. Armin Bergmeier

work KFK, Viro, Bakteriologie An den Tierkliniken 29 04103 Leipzig

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 38180 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 38199

Secretariat Anja Ladenthin

work Institutsgebäude Johannisallee 23 04103 Leipzig

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 36780 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 36798

Institute Head Prof. Dr. Tilo Pompe

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 36840 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 36848

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 37310 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 37329

Institute Head Prof. Dr. Arne Lohmann

work Technikum Analytikum Linnéstraße 3 04103 Leipzig

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 36300 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 36349

Institute Head Prof. Dr. Dirk Enke

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 37710 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 37709

Institute Head Prof. Dr. Oliver Schelske

Secretariat Anja Arndt

work Zeppelinhaus Nikolaistraße 27-29 04109 Leipzig

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 35700

work Paulinum Augustusplatz 10 04109 Leipzig

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 32250 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 32252

Institute Head Prof. Dr. Andreas Maletti

Secretariat Karin Wenzel

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 37155 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 37159

Institute Head Prof. Ph.D. Philip Clart

Secretariat Dany Habich

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 33560 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 33569

Institute Head Prof. Dr. Gunther Schnabl

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 31580 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 31589

Institute Head Prof. Dr. Anne Deiglmayr

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 37010 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 37029

Institute Head Prof. Dr. Holger Kockelmann

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 33530 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 33789

Institute Head Prof. Dr. Bernd Süßmuth

work Haus 1, I-Trakt Jahnallee 59 04109 Leipzig

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 31650 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 31798

Institute Head Prof. Dr. Petra Wagner

Secretariat Bianka Hünemeyer

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 38220 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 38249

Secretariat Stephanie Schlobach

work Haus H Johannisallee 28 04103 Leipzig

Phone: work +49 341 97-15100 Fax: fax +49 341 97-15109

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 31670 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 31679

Institute Head Prof. Dr. Maren Witt

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 37350 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 37359

Institute Head Prof. Dr. Dieter Burdorf

Secretariat Annett Kämmerer

work Biotechnologisch-Biomedizinisches Zentrum Deutscher Platz 5 04103 Leipzig

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 31220 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 31229

Institute Head Prof. Dr. Gottfried Alber

Institute Head Prof. Dr. Berthold Kersting

work Institutsgebäude Gottschedstraße 12 04109 Leipzig

Phone: work 355305-55 Fax: fax 355305-99

Institute Head Prof. Dr. Fred Wagner

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 37610 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 37609

Institute Head Prof. Dr. Jochen Trommer

Secretariat Sabine Tatzelt

Institute Head Prof. Dr. Bernd Kirchheim

work Haus V Härtelstraße 16-18 04107 Leipzig

Phone: work +49 341 97-15700 Fax: fax +49 341 97-15709

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 36250

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 31820 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 31829

Secretariat Birgit Rother

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 31700 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 31719

work Städtisches Kaufhaus, Aufgang E Neumarkt 9 04109 Leipzig

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 30450 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 30459

Institute Head Prof. Dr. Stefan Keym

Secretariat Katja Jehring

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 36550 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 36599

Institute Head Prof. Dr. Thorsten Berg

Secretariat Katrin Hengst

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 37200 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 37219

Institute Head Prof. Dr. Sebastian Maisel

work Pathologie, Parasitologie An den Tierkliniken 35 04103 Leipzig

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 38080 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 38095

work Pathologie, Parasitologie An den Tierkliniken 33-37 04103 Leipzig

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 38270 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 38299

Institute Head Prof. Dr. Reiner Georg Ulrich

Secretariat Gesine Kubaile-Jahn, Daniela Michel

work KFK, Pharmakologie An den Tierkliniken 15 04103 Leipzig

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 38130 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 38149

Institute Head Prof. Dr. Angelika Richter

Secretariat Annett Hoffmann

work Eilenburger Str. 15a 04317 Leipzig

Phone: work +49 341 97-11901 Fax: fax +49 341 97-11813

Phone: work +49 341 97 - 35820 Fax: fax +49 341 97 - 35849

Institute Head Prof. Dr. Andrea Kern

Secretariat Katharina Krause

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DIGITAL LEADERSHIP: AWARD FOR MASTER'S THESIS

News from 15/09/2024

Great surprise for Fabian Saxinger, M.A.: His master's thesis on “Digital Leadership in Corporate Communication” was awarded the BdKom Talent Award 2024 by a top-class jury at the gala event of the Kommunikationskongress 2024 at Admiralspalast Berlin, attended by almost 1,000 participants. The prize for the best thesis in the discipline in Germany is endowed with EUR 2,000. The prize also includes the publication of the study as a book.

The thesis (supervisor: Professor Ansgar Zerfass; second reviewer: Professor Christof Ehrhart) focuses on the role of communication leaders as initiators and motivators in the introduction of digital innovations. Although many digital and AI-supported tools for professional communication work have been available for some time, practice is changing only slowly. This is often due to to adverse structures in organizations or to the fact that employees in communication teams, who are already working to capacity in their day-to-day business, are not enthusiastic about new technologies. This is where leaders are called upon to lead the way and shape change.

On the one hand, the award-winning thesis offers a comprehensive and knowledgeable overview of the international debate on the digital transformation of the communication function and the tasks of leaders in digital transformation. On the other hand, it develops a framework for digital leadership specifically for communication departments. The role of digital leadership (consisting of vision, mindset and skillset) including leadership communication in the implementation of CommTech and AI is described on the basis of action patterns and role elements. This framework has been evaluated in three focus groups with communication managers from large German companies who have concrete experience with such transformation projects. This provides a wealth of inspiration for theory and practice.

Fabian Saxinger successfully completed his Master's degree in Communication Management at Leipzig University in spring 2024. Since then, he has been working as a Consultant Corporate & Financial Communications at the international consulting firm FT Consulting in Frankfurt am Main. During his studies, he was involved in several research projects and co-authored publications. Fabian Saxinger acted as spokesperson of the Masterclass 2021 in Leipzig, deputy chairman of the local student and alumni association LPRS e.V. and he has been deputy chairman of the Friends of Communication Science at the University of Passau since 2019.

The BdKom Award is already the third award for theses on communication management by junior researchers from Leipzig this year. Caroline Siegel (international Grunig & Grunig Thesis Award 2024) and Dr. Jens Hagelstein (DPRG Dissertation Award 2023/24) were also awarded.