On what to do if you and your PhD advisor need a divorce (or sacking the boss is hard to do).
A PhD student asked how to could go about firing their PhD advisor e.g., sacking their boss.
By advisor, I'm referring to the person a PhD student has agreed should manage the final stages of their PhD program. In some programs, that person pays their salary. In other programs, that person signs off on the final paperwork. In either case, that person decides if you earn the degree.
By firing the PhD advisor, that means a PhD student has opted to seek a new advisor and it can mean studying a new topic or losing funding and usually means staying in school a couple of extra years.
Reasons to fire an advisor can be benign, like wanting to study a new topic, or troubling, like being a victim of abusive supervision.
No matter the reason, because the advisor holds such power, a PhD student who wants a new advisor should proceed with caution.
In fact, I do not recommend advanced students fire their advisors- it can extend your stay in graduate school by years.
Firing your advisor can be painful. I know. I did it once. I spent an extra couple of years as a graduate student as a result.
Even for early career students, firing the advisor, once you have reached an agreement, can be tricky bc it represents a psychological contract breach.
So how to do it? The right way? That does the least damage to your career?
First, it should not be a surprise.
The student and the advisor likely both know it isn't working out.
Usually, both are relieved when it is done.
If it is a surprise to your advisor, then something either wrong with you or them e.g., someone has not been paying attention.
Second, show respect and discretion.
Smart students don't trash-talk soon-to-be ex-advisors. You will need their reference to land a job.
So, absent misconduct, keep it quiet, not splashy, and move on.
Third, know the process.
PhD students often don't understand their rights. Take some time to learn the process.
Once you know the process, actively ask do I really want this?
BC once you start the process, it's very hard to unwind.
Fourth, keep it clinical.
Even if angry, there is no reason to make the situation worse.
If you handle it dispassionately and don't make a fuss, it's much simpler to find a new advisor.
No one wants a problem student.
Fifth, understand the implications.
You may lose funding, you may have to switch programs, you may extend your stay at the uni a few extra years, I could go on.
On the other hand.
You may find happiness, you may win freedom to pick your own topics, you may secure a better job, I could go on.
Carefully assess the outcomes you want and the likelihood that you will realize them.
Finally, don't look back.
Once you decide to switch advisors, don't hesitate.
The clock is ticking.
You are wasting time and resources if you equivocate.
So make it a quick and clean break.
Best of luck.
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