While you should be the “owner” of your PhD studies, your supervisor is the primary actor to guide your progress. They are also the manager of the research projects based on which the research part of your PhD is organised. Please do make sure to discuss with them prior to making decisions regarding, e.g. overall organisation of your PhD work, courses to take, departmental duties and the like (please consult various sections under “while you are doing your PhD”.

In order to ensure your progress as an independent researcher as well as to avoid expectation gaps, it would be good to carry out the diagnosis for “expectation” or something similar now and then.

If you have issues with your supervisors, please do consult the Director of PhD studies.