What makes PhD students happy? Good supervision

"PhD Happiness: The Surprising Key to Success"

A recent survey by Nature has shed light on what drives PhD students' satisfaction and fulfillment. Contrary to expectations, it's not just about securing a stipend or meeting manageable working hours that matters, but rather the quality of supervision.

According to the study, nearly 50% of PhD students reported spending less than an hour a week with their supervisors. And yet, those who did receive regular support from their supervisors were significantly more satisfied (82%) compared to those with infrequent interactions (69%).

This phenomenon speaks volumes about the crucial role of supportive supervision in PhD success. It's no wonder that studies have consistently shown how good supervision is linked to improved well-being and performance.

Interestingly, countries like Australia and Brazil stood out for having some of the happiest PhD students. These nations offered environments where supervisors were seen as collaborators rather than distant evaluators, fostering a culture of mutual respect and openness.

However, not all PhD experiences are positive. The survey also revealed disturbing instances of bullying and harassment in the academic community. This highlights the need for institutions to prioritize accountability and training for supervisors on how to create a safe and supportive environment.

The message from Nature is clear: investing time and effort into PhD students can have far-reaching benefits, not just for the students themselves but also for the researchers and teams they will lead in the future. By recognizing the value of good supervision and taking steps to ensure its quality, we can unlock the full potential of our next generation of scientists.

Ultimately, it's a reminder that PhD success is not just about individual achievement but also about creating an ecosystem that nurtures and supports early-career researchers as they navigate the challenges and triumphs of academic life.

I'm like totally surprised by this study ! I mean, we all know that supervision is super important for PhD students, but it's crazy how much of a difference it makes in terms of satisfaction levels. I've had friends who were really struggling with their supervisors, and they ended up burning out after a while. But when they found a supervisor who was actually supportive and collaborative, everything changed ! Now that there's more awareness about this issue, I hope institutions start prioritizing supervision training for supervisors ASAP . And can we talk about how awesome it is that countries like Australia and Brazil have happy PhD students? It just goes to show that having a positive work-life balance and respectful relationships with your supervisors can make all the difference !

Honestly, I think its kinda wild that supervision can make or break your happiness while doing a PhD . Like, who knew having regular check-ins with someone could be so important? It's like they say, you can't just wing it and expect everything to work out right . Institutions need to take this seriously and provide support systems for both students and supervisors . And yeah, bullying and harassment are super unacceptable and gotta stop ASAP . Can't have a happy PhD community if people are being bullied or harassed

I mean, 50% of PhD students barely get to see their supervisors? That's wild! It makes sense though, if you think about it. Like, who wouldn't want regular support and guidance from someone who's supposed to be helping them achieve their goals?

But what's really concerning is that countries with happier PhD students are the ones where supervisors aren't just about "evaluating" but actually collaborating with students. That sounds so much healthier than just a one-way relationship where you're just submitting papers and hoping for feedback

I gotta say this study blows my mind! I mean, who knew having a good relationship with your supervisor would make such a huge difference in PhD students' happiness? It's like, we're so used to hearing about student debt and long hours, but it seems like the real game-changer is having someone to talk to. I'm all for countries like Australia and Brazil getting some recognition for making academia more chill ...and I hope institutions take this seriously when it comes to supervisory training

I cant even imagine going through a PhD without any support from my supervisors, like 50% of these students are lucky to get some kinda help . The fact that those who got regular supervision were so much happier is pretty obvious, I guess. It's like, we need to give our future scientists some actual people to talk to, not just a bunch of emails and feedback forms . And what's up with countries having happy PhD students? Are they just magically more chill than us? Australia and Brazil seem to be doing something right, I'll have to look into it more . But the bullying and harassment thing is so concerning, we need to make sure our institutions are prioritizing those things too

I mean, can you blame them? I was in grad school and had some pretty dodgy supervisors who made me question why I even bothered with a PhD . It's crazy that people are getting burned out because they're not even being seen or heard by their supervisors! Like, shouldn't supervision be a two-way conversation, not just one way? And it's wild that countries like Australia and Brazil have happier PhD students - maybe there's something to be learned from how they approach mentorship . But at the same time, bullying and harassment in academia is a huge issue and needs to be taken seriously . We need to make sure our institutions are prioritizing support and accountability for everyone involved

Can't believe how common it is for PhD students to get so little supervision Like, isn't a PhD even supposed to be about guidance and mentorship? It's wild that some supervisors are just barely checking in 82% satisfied with regular support vs 69% with infrequent interactions? That's like night and day, right? And what's up with countries like Australia and Brazil having the happiest PhD students Maybe it's because they're prioritizing people over process?

I think its crazy how much of a difference good supervision can make for PhD students. Like, who knew having a supervisor who's actually present and cares about your progress would be so crucial? I mean, 50% spending less than an hour a week with their supervisors is still pretty wild, but at least some countries are getting it right. Australia and Brazil are like the MVPs of PhD happiness . And yeah, bullying and harassment are totally unacceptable, we need to make sure institutions prioritize safety and support for all researchers.