vds-ecology-evolution

Thesis Advisory Committee

The Thesis Advisory Committee (TAC) is a structured academic support and review body for PhD candidates in the Vienna Doctoral School of Ecology and Evolution (VDSEE). Its purpose is to monitor doctoral progress, provide external feedback, and support both the student and supervisors throughout the research phase.

  • Role and Function

    • The TAC evaluates the PhD candidate's progress and offers advice to both the candidate and supervisor(s) on research direction, development and planning
    • It creates a formal space for discussion, including conflict resolution between PhD candidate and supervisor(s) if needed
    • The committee also helps to align expectations, assess milestones and support career and publication planning

  • Composition

    The Thesis Advisory Commitee consists of:

    • The PhD candidate
    • The supervisor(s)
    • 2-3 mentors (experienced external researchers chosen by the PhD candidate) who provide relevant expertise and constructive feedback. They need to fulfill the following criteria:
      • Well-experienced in the research area of the PhD project
      • Profound international research experience and experience in supervision
    • You can select two external TAC-members or one internal (i.e. from the University of Vienna) and one external TAC-member

  • Meetings

    • The PhD candidate organizes TAC meetings, ideally alongside the annual progress review
    • The first meeting must occur within the first 12 months after admission
    • Meetings typically include a presentation of progress, discussion of goals and challenges, and separate feedback sessions with and without the supervisor(s)
    • For each meeting, the TAC minutes form is submitted to the Doctoral School, ideally together with the BSP/V02 form for the annual report

Why the TAC matters

The Thesis Advisory Committee enhances the quality and sustainability of the doctoral project by providing continuous, structured feedback from experienced researchers beyond the immediate supervisory team. Through regular review of progress and milestones, it strengthens strategic project development and supports informed decisions on research direction, publications, and career planning. At the same time, it promotes transparency and clear expectations within the supervision process. By offering a formal and neutral setting for discussion, the TAC helps address challenges at an early stage and contributes to a well-supported, feasible, and academically rigorous doctoral trajectory.

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