Tips on Approaching a Supervisor
Research Ambassador Blog Post By: Tyler Floen
Before you begin your undergraduate research, one of the most important things to do is find a research supervisor. In a university setting, this is usually one of your professors or another faculty member that specializes in what you want to research. This can sometimes be intimidating, especially if you don’t know them very well. This guide will provide several ways that you could approach or get into contact with a potential supervisor. Three main scenarios will be covered: approaching a supervisor that you already know, approaching a supervisor that you do not know, and having a supervisor approach you. Throughout my undergraduate degree, I have experienced all three of these scenarios, and each one presents its own set of advantages. It should be noted that my personal experience is in the field of chemistry; however, there are many similarities in approaching a supervisor in most areas of research.
Many people consider approaching a potential supervisor who you already know and have an academic relationship with as one of the easiest ways to get involved in research. I used this approach the first time I inquired about research. To do this, simply get in contact with the professor (speak with them after class, send them an email, visit their office, etc.) and inquire about student research. Many professors are very passionate about research and will be happy to speak with you, whether it be about research opportunities in general or specifically about doing research with them. In my experience, all professors I have communicated with have been very excited to speak to me about research opportunities. In this case, it is not essential to have a specific research project in mind immediately, as the supervisor can help guide you along the way. Knowing your professor beforehand can be an advantage, as they already have knowledge of your interests and skills and can help create a project based around this.
It is more common to approach a potential supervisor who you do not know when applying to graduate school or other professional academic settings; however, it can still happen in undergraduate work. A good way to find both a potential supervisor and prepare for reaching out to them is to look into some research papers in a field that interests you. Once you have found a topic that appeals to you, you can look for a professor at your school (or another school if you plan on moving) and read some of their research work. Doing so gives you an insight into their area of expertise as well as a talking point when reaching out to them. While most professors are glad to hear from any student interested in research, showing them that you have looked into and are interested in their work could give you an advantage over other candidates. Contrary to approaching a supervisor that you already know, it is necessary to have a general idea of what you would like to pursue as a research project when encountering a supervisor that you do not know. Although it may seem awkward or uncomfortable reaching out at first, this is a great way to network and build connections with potential supervisors. One additional advantage to this method is that it allows you to potentially pursue research in an area that you would not be able to otherwise. More information on etiquette and format regarding contacting professors can be found in this publication: How to approach supervisors for research opportunities.
Finally, having a professor approach you is likely the easiest way to find a research supervisor, as the majority of the work is already done for you. In this scenario, one of your professors may reach out to you and ask if you are interested in working on a research project due to your academic relationship with them, your performance in their classes, or many other reasons. This is a major advantage of this scenario, as the professor already has confidence in your abilities as a researcher. However, despite the apparent simplicity of this situation, you should still put thought into their offer. Blindly accepting any project may result in you working on something you are not interested in, which may ruin or impair your research experience. Instead, take a couple of days (or as many as you need) to consider their offer and the kind of research you would be doing. Although you may feel pressure to accept their offer and get involved in research as soon as you can, it is important to remember that you can say no if the proposed project does not interest you or if you do not feel ready to take on research yet. Professors understand that all students have different interests and are at varying points in their educational journey; they will not take it personally if you say no.
Depending on your own experience and personal preference, one or more of these methods may work for you regarding approaching a supervisor. Above all, you must consider your own interests and goals first. Getting involved in research can be a consuming commitment; you should ensure that you are doing research that you are interested in and will help you advance toward your education or career goals. Once you have decided to begin your attempt at research, approaching a supervisor is one of the next steps to follow. Whether you want to approach a supervisor you know, a supervisor you don’t know, or have already been contacted by a potential supervisor, using the right strategies to communicate with them will help increase your odds of finding a professor who can help you excel in your research journey and offer you the greatest number of opportunities.