Conflict Between International Graduate Students and Faculty Supervisors: Toward Effective Conflict Prevention and Management Strategies

Abstract

Recent research indicates that destructive conflict occurs in a significant number of international graduate student and faculty supervisor relationships. Unfortunately, a paucity of research exists to inform the effective management or prevention of this problem. To address this lacunae, international graduate students (n = 55) and faculty supervisors (n = 53) completed a survey that assessed their needs for managing and preventing destructive conflict with each other. Results indicate that 22% of international graduate students and 34% of faculty supervisors have experienced student-supervisor conflict. Some of the sources of these conflicts were lack of openness, time, and feedback; unclear expectations; and poor English proficiency. Several common needs for managing conflict were found, including a preference to use negotiation rather than more confrontational procedures such as arbitration. Recommendations regarding the management and prevention of international graduate student and faculty supervisor conflict are provided.