Choosing a Dissertation Chair

Last Updated on: 7th September 2022, 05:44 am

Choosing your dissertation chair is one of the most important decisions that you’ll make in graduate school. Your dissertation chair will in many ways shape your experience as you undergo the most rigorous intellectual challenge you’ve had up to this point, and guide you as you navigate the murky waters of a major original research project. When the stakes are this high, you’ll want to make sure you’re working with the right person. 

But what should you be looking for in a dissertation chair? It’s a question that nags at many Ph.D. students when they’re on the precipice of this decision. Have no fear, we’re here to help. These are frequently asked questions that graduate students have about choosing their dissertation chair:

• What type of faculty member makes a good dissertation chair?
• How do I ask a faculty member to chair my dissertation?

What Makes a Good Dissertation Chair?

When it’s time to think about a dissertation chair, many graduate students are tempted to ask the most well-known professor on their program’s faculty to serve in the role. On the surface, this seems like a sound decision. After all, a scholar who has made a name for themselves in their discipline clearly knows what they’re doing, right? And it certainly wouldn’t hurt to have a bit of their stardust on your CV, of course. 

Not so fast. While a very successful scholar definitely excels at research, they might not be what you’re looking for, and they might not have the time to dedicate themselves to your project. An ideal chair is a faculty member that you have good existing rapport with, and one who is excited to work with you. An ideal chair is someone who will be a good mentor and advocate for you and your research, and someone who you know will be by your side for the long haul. 

The Big Ask

For something that is a very common practice in academia, many graduate students have anxiety about approaching a faculty member to be their dissertation chair. While it may feel to you like a lot to ask, keep in mind that chairing dissertations is part of a full-time faculty member’s job. They signed up for this, and they expect these kinds of requests. 

Meet with the faculty member you’re hoping to work with and be clear about your intentions. Ask them about their experiences chairing dissertations, what their expectations are, and be prepared to pitch your project idea to them, or at least the general topic or problem you want to work on. They might say yes immediately, or they may know of another scholar in the department whose research is right in your wheelhouse. 

Either way, you’ll leave the meeting having made progress. Do not take it personally if the first faculty member you ask to chair your dissertation says no. Chances are, if they decline, it’s because they know they don’t have the time to work with you right now and they don’t want you to be at a disadvantage with a neglectful chair. Thank them, and move on to the next candidate. You’ve got this!