Key recommendations
- Seek help early: Address issues promptly to prevent escalation.
- Start at the lowest level: typically, talk to your supervisor first.
- Escalate as needed: If your supervisor is part of the problem, don't hesitate to seek assistance at a higher level.
- Confidential support: You can always reach out for confidential help.
Support services
Your supervisory team
Your principal supervisor is your primary contact point and support person. In addition, your co-supervisor(s) can support and help to address issues not resolved together with your principal supervisor.
Your leaders
The head of your research group or head of section can support and help to address issues not resolved together with the supervisory team.
The PhD team
You can contact your PhD advisor or the head of the PhD committee at your unit for confidential discussions on any matter.
Head of Office and HR
Your Head of Office and HR advisor can assist with concerns or questions regarding sick leave and other personnel matters. If you are employed at UiO, you can find contact information on your department's website. If you are employed outside of UiO, please reach out to your employer directly.
The safety representative (verneombud)
The health, safety, and environment (HSE) work aim to ensure that employees and students have a health-promoting and meaningful work situation. You can confidentially discuss any matter with the safety representative at your unit.
Speak up!
Speak Up! is our online whistleblowing system designed to ensure a safe and open workplace for everyone at UiO. If you witness or experience any unacceptable situations, we urge you to report them.
The Science Ombud
The Science Ombud acts as an impartial and independent authority at UiO, focusing on issues related to scientific integrity, research ethics, and good scientific practice. They are available to provide confidential advice, help you navigate ethical dilemmas, and resolve conflicts early and effectively.
The research ethics committee
The research ethics committee reviews cases related to potential violations of research ethics involving individuals associated with UiO. Additionally, the committee offers guidance on research ethics practices at UiO.
ForVei
ForVei offers personal counselling sessions specifically for PhD candidates at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. Our experienced counsellors can assist you with stress, feelings of inadequacy, and other challenges that may hinder your academic progress.
The Occupational Health Service Unit
The Occupational Health Service Unit focuses on ensuring safe and conducive working conditions for all UiO employees. Our specialists cover aspects of occupational health, psychosocial work environment, ergonomics, and more.
SiO Health Services
Explore self-help resources, access free courses, or connect with counsellors and psychologists who specialize in student health and life challenges.
PhD crises and how to deal with them
We have identified six crises some PhD candidates can be faced with and provided a suggestion on how to handle them.
Unethical research conduct
If you encounter unethical behaviour from other researchers (e.g., plagiarism, data theft, ghost authorship): Confront the behaviour if you feel safe doing so. If needed, discuss the issue with your supervisor. Escalate to your leaders, the PhD team or the Science Ombud if necessary.
Unacceptable behaviour
If you experience behaviour that harms individuals at UiO, including harassment or actions that are offensive or humiliating: Interfere and confront the individual misbehaving, discuss the issue with your supervisor, your leaders or Head of Office/HR. If the situation persists, consider reporting it through Speak Up!
Unacceptable work environment
If you experience a negative work environment that hinders education or progress (e.g., exclusion from activities, limited space for open discussions, harsh or counterproductive feedback): Discuss your concerns with fellow PhD candidates, your supervisors, and escalate the issue to Head of Office/HR or the safety representatives (verneombud), if needed.
Supervision not meeting expectations
If you experience supervision not meeting your expectations (e.g., infrequent meetings, insufficient feedback, lack of balance between freedom and control): Communicate your concerns to your supervisor. You can suggest the induction conversation template to re-align expectations. Involve co-supervisor(s) and reach out to your leaders or the PhD team for additional support.
Dysfunctional candidate–supervisor relationship
If you experience a dysfunctional candidate–supervisor relationship and you don’t see any way to solve this (e.g., permanent misalignment of expectations, lack of dialogue, unresolvable disagreements): Address the situation with your principal supervisor, discuss with your co-supervisor(s) or leaders and, if unresolved, seek assistance from the PhD team.
Inability to perform
If you struggle to perform due to conflicts, lack of support, unmanageable stress or other personal challenges: Discuss your difficulties with your supervisor, utilize resources from the PhD team, and consider reaching out to ForVei, the SiO Health services or Occupational Health Services for additional support.
Feeling of inadequacy and self-doubt
If you find yourself doubting your own achievements, experiencing imposter syndrome, or underestimating your skills in comparison to other PhD candidates: Remember that each candidate has their own journey and unique challenges. Share your feelings and concerns with fellow PhD candidates and seek support from your supervisor. It is important to acknowledge that experiencing doubt and uncertainty is normal, and discussing these experiences can help you feel less alone. Contact ForVei, SiO Health Services, or the The Occupational Health Service Unit for additional support.