Get help when there are conflicts or challenges

It's important to know where you can turn to when there are conflicts or when you meet challenges with progression, the supervisor-candidate relationship, required duties or other aspects of the PhD education. There are several channels and resources you can use when you need help. See below for an overview, and also check out the liked pages at the bottom.

Channels with the graduate school/department

The first step when there are challenges or conflicts is usually to talk to the involved parties: 

  • Supervisor
  • Head of department
  • Head of administration
  • Head of graduate school
  • Employer (external candidates)

 

In instances where you do not wish to take up the matter directly (or one-on-one) with the parties involved, you may use the following channels:

  • Progress report
  • Midway evaluation
  • Follow-up conversation with the head of the graduate school (external candidates)
  • Appraisal interview with the head of the department (internal candidates)

Channels with the faculty/university

If the matter is more serious, or if you feel uncomfortable to take it up with the graduate school or the department, there are several other channels you can turn to.

PsykSTIP: 

PsykSTIP is a specialised political and social committee that works to promote the interests and standpoints of PhD-candidates. You can contact the PsykSTIP committee via e-mail, or by directly contacting one of the members. Note that the committee is an important supporting party, but when there are more serious matters you should involve the safety delegates or the occupational health service as well. Check out the PsykSTIP blog (external link) for more information.

Safety delegates: 

The safety delegates may be contacted for matters concerning the working environment. Check out the list of the safety areas and the safety delegates (external link). You may also check out the norwegian safety delegate blog (external link), for some more important information. 

The Occupational Health Service: 

The Occupational Health Service might be contacted when you are in need of assistance relating to different health issues. You may find more specific information on their services on the Occupational Health Service webpage and course overview.

Speak up! (Si fra!): 

Speak up! is a portal where you can report if something is not working or if you are experiencing unwelcome incidets like for example bullying or harassment. The Speak up! page has many useful resources for different situations, and also has an option to send in positive feedback on things that you would like to see more of. Check out the Speak up! page.

Overview: Which channel can you use?

Progress report

In the Progress report you may take up the following:

  • Progression
  • Supervision
  • Required duties

Matters relating to the Work environment or Health issues should mainly be taken up with the employer (or the right channels), even if there are certain situation where it can be relevant to mention them in relation to the Progress report

Midway evaluation

In the Midway evaluation you may take up the following:

  • Progression
  • Supervision (to some degree)
  • Required duties (to some degree)

Matters relating to Supervision or Required duties may be mentioned during to the committee during the closing conversation, and they will then forward the matter to the graduate school, however it is recommended to instead take these up directly with the right channels.

Follow-up conversation

In the Follow-up conversation you may take up the following:

  • Progression
  • Supervision
  • Required duties
Appraisal interview

In the Appraisal interview you may take up the following:

  • Progression
  • Supervision
  • Required duties
  • Work environment
  • Health issues (to some degree)

Matters relating to Health issues may be taken up during the Appraisal interview, however it is recommended to take them up with the employer directly or with the Occupational Health Service when the issues arise, rather than waiting for the next Appraisal interview.

PsykSTIP

When contacting PsykSTIP you may take up the following:

  • Supervision
  • Required duties
  • Work environment

Note that the committee is an important supporting party, but when there are more serious matters you should involve the safety delegates or the occupational health service as well.

Safety delegates

When contacting the Safety delegates you may take up the following:

  • Work environment

Matters relating to Supervision, Required duties or Health issues may be taken up with the Safety delegates when they are related to the Work environment. 

The Occupational Health Service

When contacting The Occupational Health Service you may take up the following:

  • Work environment
  • Health issues
Speak up! (Si fra!)

When sending an inquiry through Speak up! you may take up the following:

  • Supervision
  • Work environment

Matters relating to Required duties or Health issues may be taken up through Speak up! if they are related to the Work environment. 

Resources

Last updated: 25.08.2025