Steve Tippins Ph.D.Helping doctoral students get their dissertation accepted, succeed in their careers, & change the world | Academic Career Advisor | Dissertation Chair & Founder, Beyond PhD Coaching | 35 + years of experience.

Specific Committee Personalities to be Aware of

16 Mar 2026 · 0 min

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In this brief dialogue, Speaker A asks whether there are particular personalities to consider when forming a dissertation committee. Speaker B advises that, if possible, one should select committee members who are genuinely committed to helping the student finish the dissertation and who can collaborate effectively. The goal is to avoid turning the dissertation process into a philosophical showdown between members with conflicting viewpoints.

Are there specific personalities on my committee that I should be aware of?
Academics are an interesting breed. When you set up your committee, assuming you have the ability to do so, you want a committee of people that, one, are committed to helping you finish, and two, can work well together. You don't want your dissertation to be a philosophical battle between two people who have different opinions.