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Switching department of my PhD (keeping same supervisor) (

My PhD has 9 months left supervised (funded) and a year after that to write up in the thesis (unfunded but I am currently looking at other options for that and may be able to get around 6 months of it funded). My PhD got off to a very weird start to be honest. First of all it started during Covid, so I returned home for 2 years and the PhD had no momentum so I basically did nothing for 2.5 years- it would have been impossible for me to say whether it was hard or whether I was stuck on anything because I had not got that far into anything. Also after a year I switched topics as it was this, or quitting the PhD (applied for something I thought I may find interesting, but did not) and so I have an external supervisor in another country who is in more of subject Y. The trouble is, while the switch meant I enjoy my PhD a lot more than I would have otherwise, because I am funded through my internal supervisor, we still have to tick some boxes and cover X subject stuff that I am not interested in And as such I do struggle with motivation sometimes, whereas if it was more all Y stuff I really wouldn’t. The other thing is, I was kind of given a false narrative that I would be able to switch completely but than every 9 months or so with the progress reviews in our department (formality to say whether someone is allowed to proceed or not on their programme), we almost failed one 18 months ago so we went down a way more X path, and we did well this time but I get concerned I don’t enjoy it. I would try to push and question when I look more into the Y stuff, but it was just always pushed aside and other projects chosen. I did question whether I should ask about changing departments after this meeting 18 months ago, but with the bad start of my PhD, it kind of became a matter of well if I stick to this I make sure I get a PhD. We have some projects on the go now which will lead to papers, and plan to work on them until May. Apparently after May I will have time to work on the Y stuff (like I have waited for all this time lol), so with that in mind it does not sound too bad and maybe it sounds better to just stick with it. However, I do worry that that time will not come, or they’ll find some other X project, or if it does come, it comes later. (But I do plan to use some of the year I have to write up to research some Y stuff anyway, Also, switching department may be good for any future possible connections as potentially I would apply for post-docs after this and I certainly wouldn’t enjoy one in an X department, and also there are probably a lot of seminars of interest in Y department, whereas in X I don’t think a single one has ever appealed to me, so again just general potential networking.
So I just want to ask, is it too late to ask for a change of department- I also have an internal supervisor secondary in the dept. Of X, who has not been involved since since we switched topics, so for over 2 years, but he is still formally the secondary supervisor as was mentioned in my recent progress review meeting, and therefore they advised I find another secondary supervisor anyway. I have also been informed that my thesis will be marked by staff in the department of Y and not X anyway.
Thanks a lot for your help.

(edited 2 months ago)

Reply 1

Old Skool Freak

Hi,

I don't think anyone here can answer the ultimate question as to "whether or not you can switch departments at this stage?"; I think that's something that probably depends on individual university policy. Also, the exceptional circumstances also complicates things. Having said that, I am aware of one lecturer who got a job at another university and he took his two existing PhD students with him. Have you checked with your university and /or Department HR team(s). If you'd prefer to do this discretely, you can enquire in the student advice centre and I'm sure they can find out on your behalf?

Also worth remembering that most UK universities (assuming you are in the UK?) have official reps or contacts on this board, so you could also try reaching out to them in particular?

At this late stage in the PhD, it should really be you leading the research areas and direction (rather than being pushed by your supervisors). Can you make a substantial business / academic case as to why the research would be more valuable if you were to move more in "Y" direction? Are your supervisors fully aware and supportive of you decision? Are they aware of how unhappy you are working on "X"? Do you have existing work / projects / relationships with department "Y"?