Nature Highlights Ombuds Role for PhD Students Changing Labs
A recent article in Nature examines how PhD students can change laboratories or advisers when their research interests, working styles, or mentoring relationships are no longer a good fit. The article, “How do I change labs gracefully during my PhD?”, draws on advice from graduate students, academic leaders, a career counsellor, and two Ombuds: Ellen Goldstein, at the University of California San Francisco, and Shirley Nakata, Ombudsperson for Students at the University of British Columbia.
The article in the exceptionally high impact journal recommends that students consider their institution’s Ombuds office as an early resource for an informal, confidential discussion about a perceived mismatch with an adviser. The article also discusses other potential resources, including dissertation committees, graduate-program administrators, and graduate-student unions. (Nature.)
Great press for an important resource.
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