3.3 Step-by-Step Action Plan for Finding a Supervisor

Module 3

Page 3 of 10

Your 6-Point Checklist or Action Plan

  1. Select a general area you want to work in
    For example antitrust law, Chinese labor law, environmental law, EU internal market law, family law, human rights, intellectual property protection, int’l business law, Mexican criminal law, philosophy of law, public int’l law, space law, WTO law
  2. Make a list of all potential supervisors for this area of law
    Include not only those at your institution but also others who may be willing and able to supervise you because of a personal or institutional connection.
  3. Eliminate from the list any potential supervisors with whom you don’t want to work of who probably don’t want to work with you
    If you received a low grade from a professor or had an unpleasant prior interaction, this is usually not a good starting point for successful research cooperation.
  4. Inquire whether potential supervisors remaining on your list have posted suggestions for research subjects or announcements of ongoing research projects with potential topics 
    If a professor has posted a list or launched a major research project, he/she is less likely to entertain other topics at the present time. This is good if the announced topics work for you and bad if not.
  5. Schedule meetings with potential supervisors in your personal order of preference
    • If it is difficult to get an appointment, the professor may also be too busy to give qualified support later on.
    • In a meeting start by introducing yourself and reminding the professor of your prior interaction with him/her.
    • Suggest a tentative topic or problem for the research and writing project.
    • Listen carefully to hints about the feasibility and desirability of the tentative topic.
    • When in doubt, ask very directly about the difficulty and general potential of the tentative topic.
    • Listen carefully to hints how the tentative topic might be re-phrased to make it more interesting or feasible.
    • If the professor says that she/he won’t have enough time or already has more than enough projects to supervise, it means that he/she does not want to supervise you or the tentative topic; ask whether there may be a different topic the professor would be willing to supervise and/or whether the professor could recommend a colleague and might even be willing to introduce you or give a recommendation letter.
    • If the professor accepts to supervise your research, ask whether the professor has a standard agreement or otherwise has preferences regarding the type, format, and frequency of meetings and written communication; be ready with an answer about your preferences in this regard if the professor should return the question.
    • If you know for sure by the end of the meeting that you want to work with this supervisor and that she/he has just accepted to work with you, thank the professor and ask about any suggestions or instructions on next steps and an appointment for the next meeting.
    • If you are not entirely sure and want to meet other professors before committing to one of them, thank the professor and promise to get back within a few days about any next steps.
  6. After each meeting send one of the following models of letters/e-mails:
    1. I don’t want you
      “Thank you very much for the opportunity to discuss my research ideas with you… This has given me valuable additional insights… I want to take some time to re-think my ideas and whether or not to pursue the project as discussed…

      Thank you again,
      Sincerely”

    2. You don’t want me, but…
      “Thank you very much for the opportunity to discuss my research ideas with you… I was disappointed to hear that you are currently not accepting additional students for supervision/topics outside of the [XY] project… However, after our inspiring discussion/after hearing about your projects, I am now even more interested than before to work with you… I would be willing to work on [such and such] modified topics… With your permission I will check in with you in a couple of weeks whether an opening may have become available…

      Thank you again,
      Sincerely”
    3. Market Match
      “Thank you very much for the opportunity to discuss my research ideas with you… I am delighted that you have accepted to supervise my writing project… From my understanding, we have agreed as follows:
      • tentative topic
      • rough outline of issues/chapters to be covered
      • tentative time frame
      • format and frequency of meetings
      • responsibilities of student
      • support offered by professor
      • next meeting and what to bring
      • next steps

      Please let me know in case my recollection is inaccurate or incomplete.

      Thank you again,
      Sincerely”