thank you email to thesis committee members

Type a Thank You Note until Final Committee Membersation

Published by steep tippins on june 25, 2020 jun 25, 2020.

Last Updated on: 29th August 2022, 08:24 am

While much as autochthonous dissertation may have has a battle, and as much as members of your committee may have seemed unreasonable at times, their ultimate goal was to support i subsist an better scientist and finish your degree. They which your confederates. So when you do finish, a strong thank you is important.

You may even dislike membersation of your committee, but remember that after you finish your dissertation , your committee members don’t just disappear. You will be work in a related text to yours and having a nice your with them may can important for your career later on. Required example…

• You may need adenine recommendation from them
• They may be able in introduce you to potential evidence sources for choose
• They maybe know people that ask them about she
• It may do joint research with einigen of them in the past

Or, maybe you’ve received one lot on support from your committee members and feel nothing but gratitude for method they’ve guided you. In that case, all one more reason up communicate your gratitude! Thank you for serve on the peer advisory committee till select our Assistant Professor, Theatre. As you know, selecting new faculty is an important and ...

Either way, an scholar field is a small our. Maintaining good relationships with members of the field is important for to career. And saying “thank you” can just good manners, after all. I look further to a rewarding associate with the members. Thank you for this imprint of confidence. Example Letter #2. Duplicate. I am honored to accept the ...

Here’s how to write a thank-you note into dissertation committee members who’ve helped you along the way.

Thank Them stylish the Acknowledgments Unterabschnitt

It’s important to include a gratitude you note for your dissertation committee memberships in the acknowledgments section out your dissertation . It doesn’t have to must very long–one or two sentences is sufficient. It’s vital toward do this as it’s expected, and not doing so maybe looks like an purposely snub. 

Thank Your Committee Members Personally

It’s or kind to bless autochthonous committee members personally as well. Even the person who’s been hardest on you has helped you obtain to where you are. AN personal thank-you often perceives more genuine, personal, and real than whats can to communicated by written words. Even if it’s when simple as search them includes the eye, vibrate their hand, press saying “thank you for everything,” i matters.

Write a Thank To Record for Treatise Committee Parts

Even if you’ve already done everything above, it’s best to start a separate thank you note required our dissertation committee members as well. There are a couple out reasons to send an additional thank you note. First, they may never look at the acknowledgement section of your research. And secondly, it shows that you went simple ampere little over additionally beyond.  Answer at Invitation at Become an Organization - Example Characters ...

From handwriting being what it is today, I’d say it’s tolerant to spell she on a personal. Press it outside, sign items, the drop items (slide information under yours door, set it in their mailbox, mail it to them).

Tips for Writing a Thank You Note for Your Do Committee 

Becoming specific. Show them that you paid attention by thanking their for the specific roles that they played and the specialty ways that they helped you obtain to the end. Sayings something like, “thank you for being about my select, less you I would have had the have somebody else on my committee,” isn’t going to favorite you to them.

Address they gets. Consistent though you’re technically a doctor now too, still say, “Thank to Dr. ___” No they’ve explicitly asked you to call them by their first name, neglect on calling them “doctor” until they sagen i otherwise.

Be genuine. It’s important not go have your letter sound like a form letter. While e should still will business, to shouldn’t be sanitized of any personal handle. If i have funny memories of your zeite working with you, it would must appropriate to recount these with a tone of appreciation.

Example Thank You Comment with Dissertation Committee 

Dear Dr. ___,

Saying thank you just doesn’t apparently to be enough now that you’ve assisted me complete this journey. You were an integral part of me exist able to make it to the end.

None the support that you gave me in developing my methodology and the emotional sales you gift me, EGO wouldn’t have made it.

I hope that MYSELF can “pay forward” what you’ve done for me from helping other human. I will use thine selfless support as ampere model as I move forward.

Best desired,

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Dear Dr. ____

I’m writing on offer my deepest gratitude for the guidance you provided me as part of my dissertation committee.  From the time I took your Chronicle of Education in an Progressive Period course, I knew you would be the one to help me sort out my think on our topic.  Your suggestions taken in threads of thought this constructed my researching so much richer, and my dissertation something IODIN can be stolzen of having written.  You’ve also inspired me with your own body of conduct and the ability of helping me visualize a similar orbital for myself.  I feel confident that I can become, standing on your shoulders.

MYSELF look forward the working with you again in the future, as magnitude research interests will undoubtedly invite future collaboration.  No doubting, we’ll are at the same conferences year after year!  May you go to inspired both enrich respective students.  EGO will miss being among them!

With Deepest Gratitude, M

Ultimate Thoughts

Now this to possess your degree and what moving into the world to an academic career, you will be met with a host of new disputes. If you’re looking for someone who knows the land, feel free to take a look at my Academic Career Coaching services additionally reach out for a get 30-minute call .

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Thank You Letter For Serving on a Committee: How To, Templates & Examples

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Running a committee and being a part of one can be a challenging feat. However, it is necessary to execute certain tasks like organizing an election or a show. What works in committees is the teamwork involved, without which the task won’t be completed successfully. Therefore, the contribution of each member, however small, counts towards the proper execution. 

It is natural to want to thank all the committee members as the group is being dispersed or as someone decides to leave. In this article, you will find helpful tips to write an effective thank-you letter and a sample thank you letter for serving on a committee. 

What is a thank you letter for serving on a committee? When is it required?

A thank-you letter for serving on a committee is a letter you write to your fellow committee members or the president of the committee to express gratitude. Writing this letter makes the recipient feel validated and appreciated for the work they put in, encouraging them to continue their good work. Therefore, it is necessary to check up on a sample thank you letter for serving on a committee before drafting this letter. 

Following are occasions when you should check out a sample thank you letter for serving on a committee and work on drafting this document: 

• When the committee is about to be dispersed
• When the committee member is resigning
• While the committee is still working and you want to thank someone for a specific incident
• When a new member has joined the team

Tips to write an effective thank-you letter

Writing a letter is a honed skill. Therefore, referring to a sample thank you letter for serving on a committee always helps. What also helps is following certain guidelines when writing a thank-you letter. Therefore, when writing a thank-you letter for serving on a committee, it is always advisable to follow these tips.

Be specific

Specificity is important when you write a thank-you letter because it shows you have been paying attention to the person. Therefore, add details about exactly how they helped you and what you are grateful for. The more specifics you add, the more you impress the person. So, avoid writing lines like, “thank you for being part of the committee- without you, I would have had to find someone else.”

It can be tricky to express your feelings when writing a letter. However, showing your genuine feelings can make your letter more effective. While you should always maintain a formal tone, you should ensure you are not removing the trace of emotions in the letter. A great idea is to include some memories to personalize the letter. For instance, if you have some funny memory together, include it in your letter to make your recipient smile. 

Address properly

A thank-you letter to committee members needs the right address. Unless your recipient has allowed you to be on a first-name basis with them, it is always safe to use a formal salutation with the proper titles like Mr, Ms, Mrs, Dr, etc.

Write from scratch

Writing a letter can be nerve-wracking, especially when writing it for the first time. You may want to make a great impression and thus, refer to a sample thank you letter for serving on a committee. However, make sure you don’t copy off the sample. Your recipient can easily pick on plagiarized letters. Therefore, do yourself a favor and write the letter on your own using your words. 

Keep it short

You may have been part of a dissertation committee. However, your letter should not be like a dissertation- it should be kept as small as possible to respect your recipient’s time. The ideal length of a thank-you letter is anywhere between 150 words and 200 words; going beyond that is just overkill. A great way to control your word count is by being concise and eliminating unnecessary words.

Keep the conversation going

More often than not you are writing the letter to ensure your relationship with the recipient goes beyond the committee. A well-written letter helps you do exactly that. However, to get there you need to keep the conversation going. A great way to do that is by asking them a question, for feedback on the committee activities, or a follow-up meeting.

Use the right tone

As mentioned before, a thank-you letter should have a formal way of writing- this means avoiding slang and informal words. Aside from the norm of writing a thank-you letter, what also decides the tone is the kind of relationship you share with the recipient. For instance, you can write with a degree of familiarity when writing to someone you share a cordial relationship with. 

Proofread the writeup

Finally, your letter must be proofread for spelling and grammatical errors. It is very common to make such mistakes when writing but eliminating them is important for a convincing letter. Therefore, read the letter and have someone else read it multiple times until the write up is error-free. 

Sample thank you letter for serving on a committee

1. thank you letter for serving on a committee.

[Recipient name

Subject: ********

Dear Ms/Mr/Mrs/Dr___________,

Six months have passed so quickly, and I can’t believe the Vega Festival is about to start tomorrow. The fest is yet to start to call it a success, but from what I can see about our preparation, I think the event will turn out wonderfully tomorrow. Your hard work has helped us greatly during the prep work, and I wanted to write this letter to thank you for being an integral part of this committee.

Since Day 1, you have always been so excited to help us out with different tasks we needed to do to get this show on the road. You joined us as a content specialist for the event and went beyond the role and helped us out. To say that you were one of the most reliable members of the committee would not be an overstatement. So, I want to express my sincere gratitude for your presence in the group. 

Yours sincerely, 

[Your name,

2. Thank you letter to the committee president

Being a leader is not the easiest task in the world. However, you have led the committee greatly in the last six months. I write this letter to express my gratitude for your great leadership and guidance, which has helped me learn much from the experience. 

When I joined the Medicine for All committee six months ago, I didn’t have many expectations in terms of the overall experience. Sure, I knew I would learn something new but I never expected to form lifelong friendships and networks. But due to your expert guidance, I was able to get more out of this committee than I collectively got out of other committees I have served over the years. 

You would be happy to know I have secured a lucrative job at a Medical Institution and you have played a pivotal role in this development. Without your introduction, I may have never gotten the opportunity. I’m grateful for all that you have done for me and would like to take you out for a meal to celebrate my achievement. Please let me know if that’s something you would be interested in. I look forward to hearing from you. 

3. Thank you letter to a resigning member

I just heard the news of you resigning from the committee, and I wanted to let you know how grateful I am for all that you have done for us. Since the day you joined a few months ago, you brought in a great change in the workings of the committee. Due to your structured approach, we were able to finish some of the toughest tasks of organizing a national-level debate competition. 

It is sad to see you leave us before the event is held but I’m also happy to see you work towards achieving your dreams. I’m grateful for all your contribution to the event prep and hope to see you at the event next month. All the best for your future. Keep in touch!

4. Thank you letter for a dissertation committee member

Dissertation seemed like Mt. Everest when we started our committee six months ago. However, you have made it all seem like a cakewalk with your leadership and approach. So, I wanted to take the opportunity to write this letter and thank you for having served the committee with so much dedication. 

You have always been there for me whenever I needed to clear some basic-level doubts and always did so without any judgement. You were truly someone I could rely on in the committee, and I am grateful for your presence on the committee. Now that the dissertation is about to be completed, I hope our relationship doesn’t end here, and we can meet up sometime and catch up. Let me know what you think about it. Looking forward to your response. 

5. Thank you letter to a new member

Hope you are well. I am [your name], the president of the Go Women Championship Event Committee. We are yet to introduce ourselves but I wanted to write this letter to thank you for joining us and volunteering to help promote the event. 

With this championship, we aim to encourage more women to take up sports without any fear of judgement or discrimination. So, every person who joins us counts towards creating the impact we want to create with the Go Women Championship. I hope the next six months give you the experience you are looking for with us and inspire you to continue your good work. 

I would like to establish a great relationship with you as it would allow all of us to work well together. Could you tell me what you expect from this committee? We can continue from there. Once again, thank you for joining our team. I look forward to your response. 

6. Thank you letter to a temporary member

I can’t believe one month has already passed, and it is time for you to take your leave. Despite being a temporary member, replacing Cody, you have been invaluable to the committee. I would like to take this opportunity to express just how grateful I am for all your work on the committee. 

Setting up a music festival during these times we live in is no small feat and requires a lot of coordination and teamwork. You have been pivotal in establishing open communication across the committee, which has increased our efficiency. Since day 1, you have been working hard to solve our communication gaps by setting up meetups and team chilling times. 

 In just a month, you have become an integral part of the team, and I would like to see you stay. I realize you have prior commitments, but I was wondering if you would just stay as an ancillary member of the committee? We can grab a coffee to discuss the terms if you are interested. 

7. Thank you letter to a committee

Being a part of a committee to set up a library in the town is not something I envisioned for myself. So, when I joined six months ago due to my parents and teachers’ suggestion, I didn’t know what to expect. Today, I don’t regret that decision because my experience with this committee has taught me so many things. 

From learning to approach investors to negotiate sales, I have upskilled in a lot of ways. I am grateful for all the opportunities that the Highlands Library Committee has offered me. I look forward to keeping being a part of the team and working towards creating a library that the community can benefit from. 

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6 Email Templates to Ask Someone to be on Your Thesis Committee

By: Author Hiuyan Lam

Posted on Last updated: October 20, 2023

Categories Professional Etiquette

Writing a thesis is one of the most challenging parts of being an undergraduate or graduate student. You need to know how to ask someone to be on your thesis committee, especially if you are looking for a mentor to guide you through the writing process.

If you are currently starting the dissertation process, these unique email templates will help show you how to ask someone to be on your thesis committee.

How to ask someone to be on your thesis committee: When asking senior students

  These email templates will help you figure out how to ask a senior student to be on your thesis committee.   Senior students are perfect for helping you through the writing process. You can ask a student with whom you get along and share similar ideas.  

When asking professors to be on your thesis committee

  Your professor would be an invaluable addition to your thesis committee, especially since they could provide you with unique insight and constructive criticism.   Here is how to ask someone to be on your thesis committee if the person is your professor.  

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How to ask someone to be on your thesis committee: When asking professionals in your field

  Professionals can offer diverse and useful expertise if they choose to join your thesis committee. Here is how to ask someone to be on your thesis committee if you’re asking professionals in your field.  

  These are unique email templates that you can use when trying to figure out how to ask someone to be on your thesis committee.   Whether it is your professor, a senior student in your faculty, or a professional in your field, these templates will help you get that positive response that you are seeking.   If you are currently working on your thesis and wondering how to ask someone to be on your thesis committee, these templates will surely help you get some ideas.  

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We make college applications easier, 9 proven tips for a successful dissertation committee email request.

February 9, 2024 Pacesetter Schools General 0

Get a “YES” on your Dissertation Committee Email Request : Securing faculty members to serve on your dissertation committee is a critical step in completing your doctoral degree. Committee members agree to closely guide your dissertation research and writing from proposal through final defense.

Choosing the right people and making a strong request is key to starting this important journey on the right foot. This article provides proven tips and strategies for crafting an effective dissertation committee email request.

Before proceeding, let’s understand what a dissertation committee is.

Table of Contents

What’s a Dissertation Committees

Before diving into crafting your email, understand the basics of what a dissertation committee is and its composition.

A dissertation committee is usually made up of three to five faculty members who direct and evaluate a doctoral candidate’s dissertation research and writing. At minimum, it includes your dissertation chair or advisor who leads the committee and two additional members.

Committee members should have relevant expertise in your dissertation topic area and research methods. The chair usually holds a terminal degree in your field of study and has deep subject matter knowledge and dissertation mentoring experience.

Other members typically have doctorates as well and bring complementary areas of specialization to give you well-rounded feedback and oversight.

It’s preferable to have at least one committee member from outside your home department to provide a fresh external perspective. Your graduate program will have specific policies around committee composition, so be sure to review these guidelines before making requests.

The goal is to assemble a team of scholars enthusiastically invested in helping you conduct and complete high-quality original research. Here are some dissertation research examples to start your projects.

Dissertation Committee Email Request: Proven Tips to get a “YES” from Your Professors

1. do thorough research on potential members.

The first step to crafting an effective request email is conducting in-depth research on potential committee members. Beyond just their bios and credentials listed online, dig deeper into their research interests, current projects, and publications.

Look for alignment and overlap with your proposed dissertation topic to demonstrate how a faculty member would be well-suited to serve.

Go beyond just browsing public profiles – talk to other students, program staff, and current advisees to get insider perspectives. Ask what professors’ research and advising styles are like.

Learn which ones are particularly dedicated mentors willing to provide prompt feedback and support. Gauge appropriateness of workload – avoid bombarding the busiest faculty. With quality qualitative research, you’ll write a much stronger targeted case for specific individuals.

2. Customize Each Email Request

Rather than blasting a form letter to multiple professors at once, take the time to individually customize each email request. Address professors by name and reference something unique and relevant you learned about their work.

Show you understand their specialty areas and how your topic fits rather than broadly stating “I’m interested in Quantum Physics”. Demonstrate thoughtful consideration for why they in particular would make valuable committee members.

3. Highlight Connections

It’s not enough to simply state your interest – draw explicit connections between your research and a professor’s. Mention how a paper or project of theirs inspired an aspect of your work or methodology. Note any past classes taken from them to establish credibility as a dedicated student.

Point to similarities in a particular theoretical framework or discipline used. Quantify connections wherever possible rather than leaving statements vague. The clearer the synergies, the stronger case you’ll make.

4. Show Preparedness and Organization

Part of appealing to busy professors is demonstrating you’ve done the necessary groundwork so they won’t have to spend excessive time bringing a new student up to speed.

Attach a draft dissertation prospectus, timeline, or chapter outline to illustrate your proposal is developed and you’ve put serious critical thought into the research process and design already.

Offer to meet in person to provide further details and discuss next steps if interested in joining your committee. Convince them you’re organized and won’t require excessive hand-holding.

5. Highlight Mutually Beneficial Partnership

While faculty serve to mentor students primarily, frame committee membership as a mutually beneficial professional partnership. Note how a professor’s guidance could strengthen your work to a level warranting publication or conference presentation, thereby advancing both your careers.

Express enthusiasm for the opportunity to collaborate on related research with them going forward as a result of being advised through the dissertation. Highlight potential synergies and long term scholarly cooperation rather than it solely being a favor to you.

6. Emphasize Timeline and Commitment Needed

Be transparent about anticipated timeline, milestones, and level of involvement expected from committee members. Provide a draft completion schedule spanning IRB approval through final defense, noting when key checkpoints like proposal and full draft reviews are anticipated.

Outline roughly how many hours of meetings or feedback iterations they should expect per semester. Reassure professors you understand their other obligations and appreciate any commitment, even if a rigorous timeline can’t be promised. Honesty prevents future scope creep concerns.

7. Follow Best Practices for Email Format

While content of your message is most important, small formatting details also influence readability and response rates. Keep the email concise at 2-3 well-spaced paragraphs. Use a clear descriptive subject line stating the purpose succinctly.

Compose in a reader-friendly text format rather than an attached document. Include required contact information prominently like your name, program, and student ID. Proofread thoroughly for typos or awkward phrasing before sending to maintain professionalism. Attractive formatting leaves a positive first impression.

8. Add Appropriate Closing

Close by thanking the professor for considering your request and restating your enthusiasm and qualifications for the opportunity. Indicate next steps such as following up by phone within a week if no response is received or a deadline for response if needed to meet program deadlines.

Express willingness to provide any additional needed context in person. Close courteously whether a meeting is scheduled or not to maintain good rapport for future occasions. Leaving the door open maintains networking relationships even if an initial ask is declined.

9. Keep Trying Until Successful

Securing ideal committee members typically requires persistence, so keep networking and refining requests until confirmation is received. Respectfully follow up emails after a week or two if no initial response.

Reach out during posted faculty office hours if possible to have productive in-person discussions. Consult program advisors for alternative suggestions if all targeted professors decline.

Maintaining a positive attitude during the process reflects well and often secures backup options still committed to student success. With patience and continued effort, strong committees can usually be assembled.

Templates for Dissertation Committee Email Requests

Here are examples highlighting qualifications while requesting guidance:

Template #1 Subject: Dissertation Committee Inquiry – A Cross-country Analysis of Renewable Subsidies

Dear Dr. [Last Name],

I am a PhD candidate at University of Michigan studying the impacts of climate policy on agricultural innovation. My dissertation examines cross-country analysis of renewable subsidies and yields over the past decade.

Your publications on European Union renewable targets and rural development directly inform my project. I appreciate your thought leadership in this area and believe your insight would greatly enrich my research. I have reviewed my prospectus and timeline with my advisor, Dr. Johnson, and we believe finalizing my committee allows sufficient time for meaningful feedback.

I would be honored if you would consider joining my dissertation committee. Please let me know if you require any additional information. I have attached my prospectus for your review and look forward to discussing further if you accept this request.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely, [Your Name]

Template #2 Subject: Dissertation Committee Formation for Spring 2025

Dear Professor Jones,

I am a PhD student at Stanford studying US-China relations in the 21st century. My dissertation project analyzes patterns in trade and foreign direct investment since 2000 using novel datasets.

Your expertise in East Asian economics and quantitative political analysis would be incredibly valuable as I develop my models and analyze results. After reviewing my research plan with my advisor Prof. Smith, we believe your insight would strengthen my contribution to the field.

I have attached my prospectus outlining my key research questions and intend to defend by next Fall if possible. Please advise if you would be willing to serve on my dissertation committee. I am available to discuss further at your convenience.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to your response.

Best regards, [Your Name]

Properly formatted requests effectively persuade respected scholars that accepting enhances their meaningful impact. Maintain a tone reflecting each scholar’s stature.

Follow-Up Best Practices

After initially contacting candidates:

• Send prompt thank you emails reiterating your appreciation for their consideration
• Follow up with any who request additional information within a week
• If still pending, send a respectful follow up email after 2-3 weeks
• Clearly communicate next steps including deadlines upon receiving positive or negative replies
• Express understanding and appreciation for feedback helping your research progress

Timely, courteous follow ups demonstrate enthusiasm while respecting scholars’ obligations. Maintain regular contact with your advisor regarding progress. Persistence, gratitude and professionalism maximize response rates.

Conclusion on Dissertation Committee Email Request

Securing top scholars for your dissertation committee takes strategic planning and relationship building through effective outreach. By thoroughly researching potential members, customizing compelling requests highlighting synergies, and following up courteously, your chances of enlisting dedicated mentors increase greatly.

With the right committee in place, you’ll receive invaluable guidance transitioning your ideas into a quality final product advancing both your career and field of study. Perseverance and sincere scholarly partnership are keys to dissertation success.

Get More Dissertation Committee Email Request Now!

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How to write acknowledgements in a thesis or dissertation

Navigating the intricate process of writing a thesis or dissertation can be challenging.

One crucial, yet often overlooked part is the thesis acknowledgement. It is also the only bit of my thesis that anyone really reads.

This section allows you to express gratitude to those who contributed to your academic journey. From supervisors and professors to family and friends, the acknowledgement section provides a platform to thank all who played a part in your work.

Whether you’re unsure about how to begin or looking for the best ways to acknowledge your mentors, this blog will provide valuable insights and practical advice to help you create an impactful thesis acknowledgement.

What is your thesis acknowledgement?

A thesis acknowledgement is a section in your thesis where you express gratitude to those who helped and supported you during your research and writing process.

It typically comprises two parts: professional and personal acknowledgements.

• Professional acknowledgements include your supervisor, colleagues, other academics, funding bodies, or institutions that significantly contributed to your work.
• Personal acknowledgements encompass your family and friends who provided emotional support or helped with editing and proofreading.

The acknowledgements section is usually more informal than the rest of your thesis , and it’s acceptable to write in the first person. It’s typically placed at the beginning of your thesis, either before the abstract or the table of contents.

Although the length may vary, it usually doesn’t exceed one page. It’s crucial to plan ahead, listing everyone you wish to thank and consider their specific contribution to your work.

Who to thank in your acknowledgements

In your acknowledgements, you should first thank the members of academia who contributed to your research, including:

• funding bodies,
• supervisors,
• professors,
• proofreaders,
• and research participants.

Mention them using their full names and titles.

If an authoritative figure in your field provided feedback, their acknowledgement adds weight to your research.

Despite the circumstances, a brief thank you to your supervisor is necessary.

Personal acknowledgements can include friends, family members, or even pets who provided inspiration or support during the writing process. Always refer to your university’s guidelines on acknowledgements.

Creating an acknowledgement can be slightly subjective, as the order and individuals to be thanked can vary greatly depending on the circumstances of the work and the author’s preferences.

However, generally, this example follows a common structure:

The order can be customized based on the importance of the roles these individuals played in the author’s journey.

Some may prefer to thank family or significant others first, while others might start with professional relationships such as advisors or collaborators.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that the way of expressing gratitude can differ significantly between cultures and individuals.

How Long Should My Acknowledgements Be?

The length of an acknowledgement section varies depending on the individual and the nature of the project.

Some people prefer to keep their acknowledgements brief and only thank those individuals who made significant contributions to their work.

Others may choose to include a more extensive list of people, such as mentors, colleagues, and friends, who provided support and encouragement throughout the process.

In general, it is recommended to keep your acknowledgements concise and focused on those who had a direct impact on the project

. Including a heartfelt thank you to these individuals is a meaningful way to show appreciation for their efforts.

However, it is important not to get carried away and turn the acknowledgement page into a long list of names. Remember that the focus should be on quality rather than quantity, as the acknowledgement section should not overshadow the main content of the project. 

Where Should My Acknowledgements Go?

The placement of your acknowledgements can vary, but it’s typically located in the first part of your thesis.

Mine is right after the abstract and before the introduction of my PhD thesis. 

You can place it right before your dissertation abstract or before the table of contents. However, the exact positioning may depend on the guidelines and requirements provided by your university.

Always ensure to check your university’s formatting requirements to be sure you’ve chosen the correct location for your acknowledgements section. 

Thesis acknowledgement examples

Here is my PhD thesis acknowledgement.

Here are some sentence starters that you can use for inspiration:

1. “This thesis acknowledgement is a tribute to all the people who made my academic journey worthwhile.” 2. “I would like to thank my supervisor, whose unwavering support has been instrumental in the completion of this thesis.” 3. “In this acknowledgement section, I extend my deepest gratitude to all who have walked with me on this challenging but fulfilling journey.” 4. “Firstly, I would like to express my sincere thanks to the academic staff who provided their invaluable expertise and guidance.” 5. “My thesis would not have been possible without the endless help and support from my colleagues.” 6. “Special thanks go to my family, whose constant encouragement fueled my perseverance during the completion of this dissertation.” 7. “In the professional acknowledgements, I would like to acknowledge the significant contributions made by my research participants.” 8. “I would also like to thank the funding bodies, whose financial support made this research possible.” 9. “Through this acknowledgment, I express my heartfelt gratitude to my friends who have been my pillars of strength.” 10. “The completion of this thesis or dissertation is the culmination of efforts from various individuals whom I would like to express my sincere appreciation.” 11. “This thesis acknowledgement section is an opportunity to give thanks to those who made this journey less daunting.” 12. “I would like to express my gratitude to my editor, whose meticulous proofreading greatly improved my thesis.” 13. “Without their dedication, this thesis would not have been possible.” 14. “I express my sincere gratitude to all those whose names appear in this acknowledgement for their invaluable input.” 15. “In this acknowledgement for my thesis, I extend my appreciation to all those who have been part of this journey.”

Top tips to write acknowledgements

• Plan Ahead : Make a list of the people you want to acknowledge and their specific contributions to your work.
• Follow University Guidelines : Check your university’s formatting and content guidelines to ensure your acknowledgements adhere to them.
• Use First Person : Unlike the rest of your thesis, the acknowledgements can be written in the first person.
• Keep it Brief : The acknowledgement section should generally not exceed one page. Be concise and precise in expressing your gratitude.
• Maintain Professional-Personal Order : Start with professional acknowledgements (e.g., supervisors, colleagues, funders) before moving on to personal ones (e.g., friends, family).
• Be Specific : Highlight the specific contributions each person or organization made to your thesis.
• Use Full Names and Titles : When acknowledging academic contributors, use their full names and appropriate titles.
• Use Informal Language : Acknowledgements can be written in a more informal style, but avoid colloquial language.
• Proofread : Ensure your acknowledgements are free of spelling and grammar errors.
• Be Genuine and Sincere : The acknowledgements section should sincerely reflect your gratitude to the people who helped you in your academic journey.

Wrapping up – writing your acknowledgements section

As we reach the conclusion of this informative journey into the art of writing acknowledgements for a thesis or dissertation, it’s clear that this often-overlooked section carries significant emotional and professional weight.

A dissertation acknowledgements page is more than just a list of names; it’s a chance to express genuine gratitude and give due credit to all who have contributed to your academic journey. 

Remember, writing this section of your thesis isn’t an obligatory chore but a genuine opportunity to thank those who supported you.

From the tireless members of your thesis committee to the friends and family who offered emotional support, it’s a platform to acknowledge all the people who helped.

From mentors who provided expert guidance, colleagues who offered invaluable insights, to the institutions that funded your research – everyone deserves a heartfelt note of thanks.

Sample acknowledgements in a thesis often include both professional acknowledgements first, followed by personal ones, ensuring that all contributors are recognized appropriately. Always remember to use full names and titles for professional acknowledgements, and express your gratitude sincerely.

The acknowledgement page isn’t a place for long tales, jokes or anecdotes; instead, keep your acknowledgements concise, specific, and heartfelt.

As shown in the thesis acknowledgement examples, you should reflect on the people and organizations that significantly contributed to your research or writing, whether in a substantial technical manner or through support and guidance throughout the process. 

Studentship that allowed you to pursue your research, faculty who guided your studies, even friends who provided distractions when they were most needed – all these contributors deserve your thanks. Remember, it’s okay to use their first names for those who’ve been part of your personal journey, but for professional acknowledgments, full names and titles are recommended. 

As a PhD student, your acknowledgements should reflect your journey – the struggles, the triumphs, and most importantly, the people who have helped you along the way. Whether you include a list of names in alphabetical order, or you decide to group people or organizations, remember to be genuine, concise, and respectful. 

Whether it’s a thesis dedication to a mentor, expressing gratitude to your parents, thanking your friends for their love and encouragement, or even including certain political aspects that influenced your research, the acknowledgments section is yours to personalize. 

Writing a thesis or dissertation is a monumental task, and the people who support you through it are worth acknowledging. Keep this guide in mind when you write your thesis acknowledgements, and don’t forget to thank those who’ve been there for you – for in the journey of research and writing, no one truly walks alone. 

The last sentence may be a heartfelt statement, “I would like to express my gratitude to all those who walked with me throughout my research journey – your support was my strength, and this achievement is as much yours as it is mine.”

Dr Andrew Stapleton has a Masters and PhD in Chemistry from the UK and Australia. He has many years of research experience and has worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow and Associate at a number of Universities. Although having secured funding for his own research, he left academia to help others with his YouTube channel all about the inner workings of academia and how to make it work for you.

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Writing a thank you letter to dissertation committee members.

In the years past, a lot of value is attached to writing thank you letters and notes but this time around, it seems nobody is interested in writing such letters, not even when it is necessary that you thank your dissertation committee members after successfully defending your academic paper. You don’t have to toe this path of not showing appreciation, you can easily differentiate yourself from the others by taking your time to craft a letter full of appreciation. Apart from the fact that the committee members would be glad that somebody appreciates their efforts, it would also go further to strengthen the relationship between you and them, for future purposes.

If you want to experience the many wonders of writing a thank you letter to dissertation committee members, especially when you are ready to go into the job market, here are some tips to consider. They are:

• Add A Personal Touch: Don’t just send a generalized thank you letter. Make the letter very personal as it goes a long way to show you appreciate the time each given member spent to go through your academic paper. It also helps to foster relationships.
• Send It Early Enough: Don’t wait until several months have passed before you can send your thank you note to the committee members, you never know if you would need their help anytime soon.
• Mail Versus Email: Although it is okay if your thank you message is sent as email, people appreciate it when you take your time to write hard copy thank you letter and mail it to them. However, don’t let the issue of mail or email deter you from thanking the committee members.
• Insert Subtle Solicitation: Your major aim of writing this thank you letter is to create opportunities in the future, especially when it comes to career enhancement and others. Therefore, it is important that you subtly solicit the recipients’ assistance in the future, should it be needed. Don’t make the mistake of sounding very pushy or you will end up creating the wrong impression on the minds of your dissertation committee members.

These are just a few tips to help you write that appreciation letter you have been putting off. Whether you are sending a snail mail or email, make sure your letter is well-written and completely polished. It would increase your chances of building solid relationship with these committee members, if not now then definitely in the future.

Writing Ideas

Organize your thoughts.

By keeping your mind intact you make yourself more resistant to stress, and writing an academic paper is surely a lot of stress. You may feel better if you organize your working space, too. Make sure you have everything you need on the table, and that it’s comfortable to sit and write for a couple of hours. Create the working space that will make you want to be there for longer and work harder.

Plan Your Project

Get more ideas, find an assist.

Thank You Note to Committee Members (5 Examples You Can Use)

Committee members play an important role in the decision-making process at an association’s general meeting and fulfill other tasks in between.

To keep committee members motivated, feeling valued, and strengthen relationships, a simple ‘thank you’ message goes a long way!

Here are some examples of a thank you note to committee members you can use along with some tips for writing your own note:

5 Thank You Notes to Committee Members

“Dear Committee Members,

Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the committee.

We truly appreciate all of the time and effort you have put into this project over the past few months.

Your commitment has been instrumental in helping us reach our goals and making sure that our organization runs smoothly.

We are incredibly thankful for everything that you do.

Thank you again for your commitment and support.”

We want to extend a huge thank you for all of the effort that you have put in to make sure that our organization runs efficiently.

Your dedication over the past few months has been instrumental in helping us reach our goals.

We appreciate all of the hard work and commitment that you have shown.

Your efforts are ensuring that our organization is successful and we can’t thank you enough for it.

Thank you again for your dedication to the committee.”

We are so grateful for all of the time and effort that each of you has put in over the past few months.

Your commitment to our organization is truly appreciated. Your hard work and dedication have been essential in helping us reach our goals.

We couldn’t have done it without your help!

Thank you for showing such an incredible amount of care, attention, and determination towards this project.

We sincerely appreciate everything that you do.”

We want to thank you for all of the hard work, support, and leveraging your expertise to help with the committee.

Your enthusiasm and dedication has been crucial in helping us reach our goals.

We are incredibly thankful for all that you have done.

Thank you again for your contribution and support.”

I’m writing to pass on my sincere thanks for all of the support and hard work you’ve committed to the committee.

Without a committee of such dedicated individuals, our goals would never have been achieved.

Your contributions have made a positive impact to the community and beyond, and for that you should be incredibly proud.

Related content : 4 ways to say thank you to outgoing board members ; Examples of ‘thank you’ for the chocolate messages ;

Why Thank Committee Members?

Thanking committee members is a good way to show your appreciation for their time and efforts, and to maintain positive relationships with them in the future.

It is also an effective way to recognize their value and importance in the organization.

A few simple words of gratitude can go a long way to helping committee members feel valued and raise morale.

It’s one of the simplest things you can do, yet it’s one of the most impactful in terms of strengthening relationships within the organization.

So, don’t be afraid to show your appreciation and thank committee members for their hard work and dedication!

Writing Your Own Thank You Note to Committee Members

When writing a thank you note to committee members, be sure to include specific details about how they helped your organization reach its goals where possible.

Also, let them know how much their efforts were truly appreciated by expressing gratitude in a sincere manner and using words that will resonate with them.

Keep in mind that the important thing here is that you’re letting them know that their contributions are being recognized and valued.

Try not to stress over making the note too long or overthinking it, as a few simple words of gratitude will go a long way.

Thanking committee members is one of the most important aspects of maintaining a successful and productive organization.

It’s essentially like a management style that shows your appreciation for their hard work and dedication, which in turn builds trust, fosters collaboration, and helps create a positive work environment for all.

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Feb. 27, 2023

Selecting your master’s thesis committee members, by karyssa courey: selecting a thesis committee is like completing a puzzle every piece of this process is very valuable to have the right fit for your committee.

First off, congratulations on advancing to this stage in your academic career! Meeting the requirements for your thesis is not an easy task but you did it! You deserve to celebrate your achievements, both big and small. 

After you have finish celebrating, it’s now time for you to select committee members for your thesis. A thesis committee is a group of faculty members who provides mentorship for your entire thesis experience.

Before you begin randomly selecting members of your committee, there are a few steps and strategies that will help you pick the right members!

Where do I start?

• Review the requirements for thesis committees in your department

Rice provides requirements for thesis committees online . For example, a thesis committee for a graduate student in the psychological sciences must have three members (your advisor and two others). At least two committee members must be within your department. Reviewing the requirements will help you understand who can and cannot be on your committee!

• Breaking down your topic

If you are considering committee members, you likely have a draft of your master’s proposal or at least an idea of what your project will be about. Consider the keywords of your project (i.e., what are five terms that can be used to categorize your proposal?). These keywords are the core of your project and can help you identify faculty that align with your interests and research goals.

• Connect your topic to faculty research

Now that you have identified your keywords, think about faculty that you know in your department that are knowledgeable in the topics you are studying. You can also search faculty/lab websites or Google Scholar if you are unfamiliar with a faculty member’s research expertise. 

If there are aspects of your master’s proposal that are interdisciplinary, don’t be afraid to search for faculty outside of your department that can provide you with a valuable perspective on your research topic.

Who should I be in communication with?

• Talk with your advisor

Often, your advisor will have suggestions for potential committee members. Your advisor is one of the few people that will understand both the scope of your research project and know the faculty expertise in your department. Listen to your advisor’s recommendations and suggestions, note any faculty that may be a good fit, and share any ideas that you have based on your search in steps 2 and 3. Don’t feel constricted the recommendations from your advisor either, your peers could also be a resource.

• Talk with your peers

Older peers in your program often have a great perspective on selecting thesis committee members. Your peers may also have first hand experience with the same faculty members you are considering. E.g., Professor X provides more substantive feedback than Professor Y, so if you want substantive feedback, this is extremely helpful information!

• Talk with other faculty

Don’t be afraid to schedule meetings with potential faculty members if you want to discuss your thesis. Meeting with faculty is a great way to explain your project, hear their feedback, and gauge their interest.

I’ve talked to everyone on the list; what's next?

• Email potential committee members

Once you have selected your committee members, it is now time to email them! This might be scary or feel like a daunting step, but remember that the faculty at Rice are here to support you and help cultivate your skills as a researcher. Committee members are your team members, and are here to ideally provide constructive feedback to make your project even better!

When emailing faculty, make sure to use an appropriate tone, provide the title of your thesis, explain your project in a few sentences (or add your abstract), and note any specific reasons that that faculty is a good fit.

For example, if a faculty member has expertise relating to a theory you are applying in your research, make sure to name the theory in your email! The goal is for your potential committee members to have a clear understanding of the scope of your project and connect their expertise to your project.

What should I be mindful of during this process?

• Handling rejection

If a prospective committee member declines your offer, it’s okay! Do not take it personally or be discouraged! There may be many reasons why a faculty member might decline (e.g., tight on time, perceived lack of fit, or think another faculty member might be a better fit). Do, however, consider other faculty members and consider scheduling a meeting to discuss your thesis project. Meeting with potential committee members can help you understand if they would be a good fit, plus it’s a great opportunity to meet faculty members outside of your courses!

• Sticking to your timeline

Lastly, keep in mind your deadlines. Different departments have different requirements for scheduling your proposal and declaring your master’s candidacy. For example, in the Psychological Sciences department, a student can propose their master’s without declaring a master's candidacy. However, it is required that committee members are notified at least ten days prior to scheduling your proposal meeting.

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Dissertation committee request: sample email and guide, published by steve tippins on june 26, 2019 june 26, 2019.

Last Updated on: 2nd February 2024, 02:34 am

Having found your Chairperson to work with, now it is time to fill you committee. Regardless of the number of additional committee members that you need, it is important to go about this process strategically. As with the beginning of any relationship, how you begin is important. 

In this article, I cover:

• How to find members for your dissertation committee
• A sample email for a dissertation committee request
• How to evaluate potential committee members
• How to ask them to be on your committee

Finding and Choosing Dissertation Committee Members

Ask your committee chair.

Talking to your chair is a good place to start in looking for additional dissertation committee members . Who do they recommend for your specific project? You can ask who they don’t work well with, but most people won’t answer this question for obvious reasons.

Talk to Other Students

You probably have a network of fellow students. Ask for their input on potential committee members . I suggest you do this through private emails or in conversation rather than on group message boards so that people can speak freely about their experiences.

Do Your Research

Once you get a list of names either from your Chair, a university list, or from fellow students do some research. Find the CV of each person (most schools have this type of information available). See what types of research they have done. 

Where have they published? How recently have they published? What types of methodology have they used? You may also find people with whom you share an interest which helps when making a connection.

Look at previous dissertations that they have worked on. What were the topics? What methodologies were used? Were they acknowledged by previous students?

Dissertation Committee Request: Sample Email

Once you have come up with a final list of potential candidates, email them to gauge their interest. Many students wonder how to ask someone to be on their dissertation committee. I have included a sample email for a dissertation committee request below.

Dear Dr. ____

Please let me introduce myself. My name is ___ ___ and I am a doctoral student at ___ University working on my dissertation. My topic is ___. I am searching for an additional committee member for my dissertation committee.

I know that you are busy but I have looked at the committees that you have worked on and your research [it is flattering to include a specific example] and think that your membership on my committee could be very beneficial for me.

If you have an interest in filling this position please let me know so that we can set up a time to talk and get to know each other.

Respectfully,

Ima Student

Interviewing Potential Dissertation Committee Members

After you get responses you should write to set up phone calls with interested potential committee members. I suggest that you prepare a list of questions to ask each person. Example questions include:

• Do you like to see work in pieces as it’s completed or in finished chapters?
• Do you prefer direct communication or for all communication to go through the Chair?
• How long do you usually take to do reviews?
• Are there faculty members that you work well with and don’t fit well with?
• What attributes do you see in students who succeed?
• Do you have any initial ideas based up what I have shared with you about my topic?
• Do you have any questions that you want to ask me?

Students often forget that they can interview potential committee members. Doing so tends to impress faculty, as it indicates your seriousness and commitment. I can say that very few people have interviewed me to be a member of their committee, and those that have have been especially successful in navigating the challenges of writing a dissertation .

How to Ask Someone to Be on Your Dissertation Committee

If you’ve followed all of the above steps, the rest should be pretty simple. The professor knows that you’ve taken the time to see if they’re a good fit, and that you are conscientious enough to do your research and respect their time. A simple email telling them that you would be honored if they would serve as your committee member is just fine. Remember, though, it’s still an ask –you’re not telling them they’re on your committee.

How to Request a Dissertation Committee Member: Summary

Choosing committee members is important. You want a committee where everyone is pulling for you to reach your goal. It doesn’t take a lot of time to explore potential committee members, and in the long run that small time investment can pay off.

For additional support, you can also consider a dissertation coach . They can help guide you through the process and even finish more quickly, as you will avoid unnecessary pitfalls and delays. Read more about how to choose a dissertation coach here.

Steve Tippins

Steve Tippins, PhD, has thrived in academia for over thirty years. He continues to love teaching in addition to coaching recent PhD graduates as well as students writing their dissertations. Learn more about his dissertation coaching and career coaching services. Book a Free Consultation with Steve Tippins

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• Thesis Committee Meetings

Preparing, leading and recording thesis committee meetings

A guide for phd students, why should i meet with my thesis committee.

Thesis Committee Meetings are meetings that you ask and invite for when you would like to get advice from your thesis committee (TC) . They are not meant to be mere status reports of your project (this can often be accomblished with an e-mail).

Reasons to call for a thesis committee meeting can be, for example:

• You are at the beginning (first two months) of your PhD project and need to discuss your 3-year time-line (this is something every PhD student should do!)
• You would like to conduct a research placement / an advanced training or participate in a conference and would like to ask your TC for recommendations
• The initial project plan / schedule needs to be / had to be adjusted due to unforeseen circumstances, your TC could share their experience on how to handle such a situation
• You would like to discuss your publication strategy
• You have (communication) issues with your supervisor or main advisor and would like to meet with the full TC to try and resolve the issues, thereby counting on the support of the other TC members
• You are approaching the end of your PhD phase and would like to get some advice how to develop your further career

There can be many more reasons to call for your TC to meet. As you can see by the examples, the benefit of thesis committee meetings can be much more than just talking about your science!

Preparing a meeting

The better you prepare a meeting, the better the chances that you will be satisfied with the outcome!

Technical preparations:

• ask all TC members about their availbility (you should do so well in advance because scientists tend to have full calendars)
• book a seminar room or an online meeting room (you can contact [Bitte aktivieren Sie Javascript] if you don't know how and where)
• invite your thesis committee members
• make a written list of what you want to talk about
• prepare a PowerPoint presentation and handouts (if you think it would be helpful)

Preparing the meeting agenda:

Determine clear objectives: ask yourself, what you want to know from your thesis committee. Write down specific questions that you would like to have answered in the course of the meeting. A helpful start is to ask yourself "Which outcome of the meeting do I envision to ensure that I will feel satisfied at the end of the meeting?"

Write down specific questions you want to ask your TC : choose only those questions that you would like to have answered by the group (other questions can maybe be directed to single members of your TC). Be realistic about the number of questions you want to ask ( thesis committee meetings typically have a duration of 90 minutes).

Prepare an agenda for the meeting: use the guideline GLOMAR provides ( link ) and choose the topics that are relevant for you at the current stage of your project. Decide how much time you want to spend talking on each of the topics, remember to write your agenda down (you should include some buffer time for each topic to allow for spontaneous interesting discussions, but not too much, otherwise you might end up having to skip other topics), you can also decide for 'bonus topics' that you address in the meeting if there is some time left at the end (but make sure that you are okay it the topic is dropped, otherwise it should not be a bonus topic but a part of your agenda!)

Send the agenda to the members of your TC : the advantage of sending the agenda in advance is that you will automatically put more effort into your preparations and that the TC members have the chance to already think about some of the topics. It may also be worthwile to send them the questions you would like to address at them during the meeting. This is a tool you can use when you moderate the meeting later on (see below).

Decide how you want to organise your TC meeting: make up your mind whether you want to present all your topics first and then have a discussion at the very end or whether you would like your TC to discuss after every topic you introduce. You should come to a decision before you start preparing your presentation since this will guide the structure of your slides.

Preparing your presentation:

Whether it is a PowerPoint presentation (PPP) or a paper draft you would like to discuss with your TC, the better you prepare it, the better the outcome of the meeting will be. In most cases, PhD students prepare a PPP. Numbering your slides can be helpful for a discussion at the end. If you decided that you would like the TC to start a discussion after every topic you introduced, you should already write down the questions you have at the end of each chapter / topic. NEVER end a PPP with a "Thank you for your attention" slide! Why not? because the last slide is what people look at when the discussion starts. It is much more useful to end with a summary of your most important findings, a take-home message or with questions you have for your audience. Yes, 95% of the scientists end their presentation with a thank-you slide. But don't just copy something that the majority does, if it is not helpful for your cause!

When you are finnished with your written list of topics and questions and your slides are all prepared, you are ready for a trial run of your presentation : people with A LOT of routine may not need trial runs anymore. But as a PhD student, you definitely do. It will improve your meeting a lot! Ask a fellow Phd student to spend 20 to 30 minutes listening to your presentation. In return, you can offer to do the same for them. When we practice, we always find things that can be improved, it's better to find them prior to the 'real' meeting.

Okay, this was a lot of input just to start with! Do you feel overwhelmed by reading what you should do to prepare a meeting? It just seems a lot in the beginning. When you start preparing all your meetings in this routine (not just TC meetings), it will become more and more natural and easy after a while! You will probably notice that many people don't prepare the meetings they host in such a careful manner. But are those meetings enjoyable? Or do they often end up in long discussions about things that were just side topics on the agenda? It's all in your hands! By the way, the time you invest into preparing a meeting is time that you save in the end! Time that would, for example, otherwise be used for discussions about topics that are not your priority.

Now that you have carefully prepared your meeting, let's see how you can successfully take leadership, maybe even without people noticing that you are leading them ;-)

Leading a meeting

Before you start the meeting , you should decide which role you would like to play in the meeting. The main idea of the TC meetings is that they are YOUR meetings. This means that you lead the members of your TC through the meeting. It is important that you start your meeting with this self-image of being the leader, otherwise you may lose leadership over your own meeting in no time at all. This might end up in the committee talking about different things than you wanted them to talk about. Does this sound pushy to you? Don't worry, (most) supervisors are totally okay with you taking the lead. They will be impressed and thankful to see how well prepared you are!

Start the meeting by introducing the agenda for the meeting. Make sure to point out which topics are especially important for you and which questions you would like to have answered at the end. Since you were clever and wrote the questions down in your PPP, the TC members will have a visual impression of what is expected from them.

Keep an eye on the time while you go through the topics. If you want to go on to the next topic, let the participants know! Since you wrote down the time that you assigned for each topic, you can navigate through the meeting. Make sure to insist on getting answers for your questions!

Here are some things you could say if you need some ideas how to lead through the meeting in a polite way:

• "Thanks a lot for all your valuable ideas! I wrote them down and I'm sure they will help me move on with my research. Since time is passing, I would like to draw your attention to another topic:..."
• "May I kindly ask everyone to pay attention to my next slide where I wrote down some questions that I have for you" (every scientist is flattered when they are asked for their expertise!)
• "Thanks so much. May I now kindly move on to another topic that seems very important for my project..." (this underlines that you have some urgent matters to discuss)
• "I planned for 90 minutes for this meeting. I don't want to take up more of your valuable time and I still have X topics left I would like to talk about. Could we maybe move on to the next topic?" (if you remind people that time is passing and that you don't want to extend the meeting time, they will most likely respect your agenda and acknowledge that you take care of their needs as well)

As a visual tool , you can leave the slide(s) with your questions up on the screen until they have been answered. This will constantly remind the meeting participants, that there is an open task.

Since you were clever and ended your presentation with a summary or questions slide, you should not forget to thank the meeting participants verbally at the end.

Recording a meeting / writing minutes

"Okay, I've just been in a meeting, I remember what everyone said. Why should I write minutes? Just to please my graduate school and be eligible for funding?" - Maybe there are some other good reasons ;-)

Do you remember what you had for lunch Tuesday two weeks ago? No? Our brain forgets a lot of things. Luckily! Otherwise it would be so full of information that we would probably start to forget really important things like our mother's birthday or where we parked our bike this morning. Everything we write down, relieves pressure from our brain! Writing minutes of meetings has another great advantage: we can go back to the written document and refresh our memory anytime we need it.

Certainly, people's brains are different. Some have an amazing memory. For them it may be enough to write down keywords and by looking at those, they will immediately remember exactly what every meeting participant said. But let's be honest, the great majority of people forgets things. So it may be valuable to write minutes in some detail to make sure you record everything that seemed important to you. In the case of thesis committee meetings, you should record the development of the discussion (who said what?) since this information might become important at a later stage of your project.

Another advantage of writing detailed minutes is that in the process of writing, you may develop new ideas or maybe you find that there are some aspects of the discussion that you did not fully understand. In this case you could go back to your TC and let them know that "When I wrote the minutes for the meeting, I noticed that I didn't fully understand what you told me regarding topic X..."

Finally, written minutes are an important tool of communication with your supervisor and the other TC members. Even if everyhting that has been discussed during a meeting seemed clear at the moment, it may still turn out that you had different things in mind when you talked. Misunderstandings and lack of communication about the own ideas and expectations are the most common source of conflicts!  Writing everything down makes sure that you are all on the same page and agree on the same plans and strategies. One thing that PhD students often underestimate is that supervisors cannot always remember every detail of their students' projects. Meeting minutes can therefore also be an important means of keeping a track record for your supervisor.

Writing minutes can take up nearly as much time as the meeting itself. But when you try it once, you will probably notice how helpful it is.

Good luck with your next meeting :-)

Are there any aspects we forgot to mention? Or would you like to share some of your own experiences? Please contact us at [Bitte aktivieren Sie Javascript]