A supervisor is required or recommended for students applying to a master’s program (research or thesis) or to a Ph.D. program. Supervisors are not required for professional master’s programs or Graduate Diplomas. Please review the program page to verify if your program of choice requires a supervisor.
If you are a current Trent undergraduate student interested in graduate research, please speak with your program chair or professor about research opportunities and potential faculty members to supervise your work.
Guidance for Finding a Supervisor
Applicants are responsible for selecting their own research topic and seeking out a potential supervisor. Your relationship with your supervisor will be one of the most important factors contributing to the success of your graduate studies. Taking the time to find a supervisor who will complement your research and learning style will help to ensure the success of this relationship.
To find a potential supervisor follow the steps outlined below.
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Step 1: Find Faculty Members in Your Field
Visit Faculty or Department websites to learn more about faculty members in your desired field. Faculty profiles will often provide details about their background and research interests, as well as their contact information.
Many will list if they are accepting new students for the next academic term. Before contacting a faculty member, consider how your research interests and experiences may intersect with their listed research to determine if they would be a good fit for your proposed research topic. Use your reflections to create a shortlist of potential supervisors to connect with. If you don’t find what you’re looking for in one department, look at the research profiles of faculty in related fields.
The following list provides links to each academic department's website. Each department has listed the names and contact information of their professors and faculty.
- Anthropology
- Applied Modelling & Quantitative Methods
- Arts Management
- Bioenvironmental Monitoring & Assessment
- Canadian Studies & Indigenous Studies
- Canadian Studies
- Computer Science
- Cultural Studies
- Educational & Community Leadership
- Educational Studies
- English
- Environmental & Life Sciences
- Forensic Science
- History
- Indigenous Studies
- Instrumental Chemical Analysis
- Interdisciplinary Aging Studies
- Interdisciplinary Social Research
- Management
- Material Science
- Nursing in Professional Practice Leadership
- Psychology
- Sustainability Studies
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Step 2: Contacting potential supervisors
The next step is to contact the supervisors on your list. Be sure to tailor your email for each potential supervisor. Tips for tailoring a professional email of introduction include:
- Using proper letter format (make sure to write content in the body of your email – not the subject line)
- Addressing the faculty members with formal salutations and including their preferred title (Ex. Dear Professor, Dr., etc.). This helps to set the tone of your email, show respect and that you’ve conducted research on the individual, as well as build professional relationships
- Closing your email with a formal closing statement (Ex. Yours sincerely, Thank you, Best Regards, etc.) followed by your full name and contact information
- Proofread your email prior to sending. Pay close attention to grammar, punctuation and spelling
In addition to formatting your email in a professional manner, it is also important to ensure that the content of your email is specific. Your goal is to stand out and generate interest in working with you. Be sure to briefly introduce yourself, specify the program that you are applying to and ask if they are accepting graduate students for your desired term.
Follow your personal details with other qualifying details about yourself and your research interest such as your academic or career goals, why you feel this faculty member may be a good fit for your research, what you hope to accomplish in the program, and how your past experiences may be a benefit to your future academic position.
If you have other documents that you feel may help you to stand out as a potential applicant, you can attach these as PDFs to your email. Relevant documents may include:
- A CV/Resume detailing relevant past work experiences, academic history, volunteer roles and educational history
- Transcripts from current/previous institutions
- If you already have funding, state the amount, duration and source
- Any past applicable research
At the end of your email, thank the individual for their consideration, and suggest a follow-up meeting with options of when you are available.
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Step 3: Meeting and securing your supervisor
Please note that faculty members may not be able to answer your inquiry right away depending on the time of year. It is suggested that you wait 2-3 weeks before reaching out again if you do not receive a response right away.
Once you hear back from an interested potential supervisor, you may wish to arrange for a phone call or virtual meeting. We suggest using that time to learn more about the faculty member’s experience, expectations, and availability to determine if the partnership is right for you. Remember – your supervisor will be one of your greatest supports during your graduate journey.
If you feel that the fit is right for you and you both agree to the supervisory relationship, you will then include these details in your graduate application. Be sure to list your supervisor on your OUAC application prior to submission, as well as in your plan of study/personal statement if one is required by your program.
Need Support?
If you need help finding a supervisor or encounter any difficulties, please contact the program administrator for guidance. A list of program contact emails is available on our Contact page.