Supervision FAQ
Here are answers to common questions I receive from students planning to work with me.
📆 Meetings and communication
How often do we meet? Once a week by default; see my supervision style for details. If something urgent comes up, email me.
When can I expect a response from you? If your inquiry is not covered by the default scenario of two days, I will let you know (either during a meeting or by correspondence) how much time I need to resolve your inquiry.
I received an email from you at 3 am. Do you want me to respond likewise? While you will receive messages from me both off clock and on weekends, I do not expect you to do the same. I just find it easier sometimes to do some research-related activities overnight.
What is your style of feedback? See my supervision style to get a broader idea. In short: verbal most of the time, written for major deliverables.
🧪 Research process
Do we write or code first? We use an iterative cycle of writing, coding, and reflection. Writing early helps clarify the direction, and throwing together a prototype gives a “feel” of the problem at hand.
What if I get stuck? Talk to me. Getting stuck is part of research. I would rather hear about a problem from you in the privacy of the meeting room than observe your thesis defense disintegrate in front of all your friends.
But didn’t you say you want us to be independent? Yes, but independence is not isolation. Try things on your own, but always keep me updated, even if it’s not going well.
📜 Publications
Do I need to publish? No, but we often try to. If your project is strong enough, I will guide you through the process and help with submission and revisions.
What if my project is not strong enough? Then we will not publish, and it is alright; your growth is more important.
👥 Roles and responsibilities
Who else is involved? I am your day-to-day supervisor. An appointed faculty member will act as your responsible professor and sign off on your thesis proposal, intermediate documents, the final thesis text, as well as suggest the high-level research direction.
What if I want to explore other topics? That’s great! I’m happy to brainstorm alternatives, match you with faculty, or help shape your ideas into something researchable – even if it’s not my area.
What if we disagree? We’ll talk honestly and try to resolve any mismatch by finding a fair compromise. In rare cases where progress really stalls, I’ll help you transition to another supervisor or project without friction.