PhD candidates
Are you a PhD candidate, and is there something you’d prefer to discuss with someone other than your thesis director or supervisor? The confidential counsellor for PhD candidates is here to help. You can speak to him/her in confidence and receive advice. If you experience symptoms of physical or mental illness during your PhD research, you can go to the university doctor or psychologist.
Problems with your supervisor or colleagues
Researching a PhD is an intensive process that takes several years, and things don’t always go according to plan. You will be able to discuss most issues with your PhD supervisor or mentor, but that is not always possible. You and your supervisor or mentor may experience persistent problems with your communication, or you might strongly disagree about the direction your research should take. It’s also possible that your working relationship with a colleague might become unsafe due to discrimination, bullying, sexual intimidation or violence.
Concerns about the PhD program
If you have concerns about your PhD program, you can discuss them with the confidential counsellor. For example, if your program is at risk of being extended and you are concerned about the consequences (such as the possible expiry of project funding). You can also ask the confidential counsellor for advice if you disagree with the requirements set for your thesis. Or if your work-life balance is under too much pressure.
Don’t wait to seek help
You can talk in confidence to the confidential counsellor for PhD candidates at your Graduate School. You can also choose to talk to one of the other confidential counsellors. The confidential counsellor will listen and help you explore the options to improve the situation. If you wish, the confidential counsellor can offer further support: for example, by being there during a difficult conversation.
More information about confidential counsellors
Find more about what a confidential counsellors does and does not do, confidentiality and options for appeal and objection on the page Confidential counsellors.
When you should go to the university doctor
If you are experiencing medical or psychological health problems due to your work, you can go to one of the university doctors. They will also be able to put you in touch with a psychologist.
The PhD psychologist
The PhD psychologists at the university specialise in issues that are relevant to PhD candidates. The psychologists have expertise in short-term treatment of anxiety issues, mood complaints, concentration and motivation problems, fear of failure and more. They also regularly offer various prevention trainings.
In case of acute mental stress, you can consult the PhD psychologist and/or your GP directly. They provide the first line of care and can refer you to more specialised help if necessary.
Meet the confidential counsellors
PhD candidates of the faculties Governance and Global Affairs and Social Sciences can also contact one of the counsellors below.
Annemarie Meijer
Confidential counsellor for PhD candidates in the Faculties of Archeology and Science
'PhD candidates can turn to me with any issues hindering their PhD trajectory in some way. It is beneficial to have someone outside your daily work environment, where conversations are informal and confidential.'
Annemarie Meijer is Professor of Immunobiology at the Institute of Biology Leiden and the confidential counsellor for the Faculty of Science. She has a lot of experience with international networks for PhD training and with supervising PhD candidates from diverse backgrounds, as she explains in an interview.
Get in touch with Annemarie Meijer.
Verena Ly
Confidential counsellor for PhD candidates in Governance and Global Affairs, Social Sciences and Humanities
‘I’m here if you need to talk to someone in confidence about situations during your PhD that feel difficult, unsafe or unfair. If you feel uncomfortable or are unsure how to deal with something, don’t hesitate to contact me – even if it’s just a minor concern or doubt. We’ll get to the heart of what’s going on, consider your options and decide what you need to move forward.’
Get in touch with Verena Ly.
Rikki Holtmaat
Confidential counsellor for PhD candidates in the Faculty of Law
'Don’t think “That’s just how it is” or “I’ll just have to suck that up.” A problem is never too small for the confidential counsellors. The sooner you contact them, the easier it is to find a solution.'
Rikki Holtmaat worked at Leiden Law School for over 30 years. As a retired professor, she is familiar with all aspects of a PhD and the different paths you can take to resolve your problem.
Get in touch with Rikki Holtmaat.
Confidential counsellor
If you experience problems related to your PhD project that you cannot solve yourself, you can contact the confidential counsellor for PhD candidates, Marije Bedaux.
PhD Deans
Next to the confidential counsellor, the Faculty has appointed two PhD Deans for PhD students. They are the first point of contact for PhD students and the supervisors (supervisor and co-supervisor) with questions about supervision and progress of the PhD project. The roles have been divided between the two deans to ensure you can always talk to someone who does not work at your intitute. In this way they can work from an independent position and do not need to be involved in issues within their own insitute.