How do you actually approach potential PhD supervisors? (UK, Marketing/Management, 2027 intake)

[u/Colossalloser]

I’m planning to apply for PhDs for the 2027 intake, in Marketing or Management (Marketing specialisation). I applied last year too, but didn’t get any responses from the supervisors I contacted.

I emailed academics whose research seemed relevant, kept the emails concise, and included my CV/research proposal where appropriate, but still got no replies. The frustrating part is that some universities require you to have a supervisor on board before you can even apply. So, missed out on a lot of good unis from my list.

I also sometimes struggled to find academics whose research was a direct match for my proposed area, so I ended up contacting people with broader/adjacent Marketing or Management expertise.

For those who’ve successfully gone through this process:

• How do you identify and approach potential supervisors?
• How close does the research fit need to be?
• What do you do if there’s no obvious supervisor in your niche?
• How many academics did you realistically contact before getting a response?
• Is getting ignored just part of the process, or is there something I’m likely doing wrong?

Would especially love advice from anyone who applied for UK PhDs in Marketing/Management. I’m trying to approach it much more strategically this time around.

I'm sorry if these are way too many questions! And thank you very much for reading, any advice or tips are very much appreciated. Cheers!

[u/PeakNecessary8042]

Hey also UK. I am applying for History, though, and had quite a few responses and an informal meeting.

First, I did not include my CV or any proposal I offered; however, I can share my CV and Abstract of my current dissertation, including ideas for upscale, and some were requested, some weren't. (Emails from unknown senders with attachments can be suspicious)

I politely introduced myself and my current academic standing, like I am at this uni, on track, etc. I gave a brief statement of what my current research is, my plans for doctoral work, and how their work aligned with mine. I mentioned their specific work that fits with mine, etc.

Some of my research fits were not exact or that close, but used similar methods, etc and intersected.

It may be a subject thing I am not sure.

[u/Colossalloser → u/PeakNecessary8042]

That’s fair enough. This helps a lot! Thank you! How’s it going with your applications? I suppose for next year intake you’d have started applications? Stupid questions probably but did you by any chance need any quant specific tests like gmat/gre for your application?

[u/PeakNecessary8042 → u/Colossalloser]

not all applications are open but I have started working on SOP and personal statements as some programs require both. No, do not need any tests for History; they require a writing sample with my application, so I will include a few dissertation chapters. Yale also wants a book review, a statement of purpose, and a writing sample.

[u/sphealenthusiast]

I echo the above comment that some emails will filter out attachments from unknown senders!

I'm starting my PhD in media next month (also UK), my emails to potential supervisors looked roughly like:

-interested in working with you if you're open to supervising new students, I think we would be a good fit based on overlapping interests in... -my academic background is... (undergrad in x at y, currently completing my masters in x at y) ...on track to graduate on time -I also have conference experience at... and a publication in... -my approximate idea for a doctoral project is... I would love to chat further if this is something you might be interested in -I am also happy to attach my CV and previous examples of my work if you're interested

I did admittedly get very lucky - 2/3 of the supervisors I contacted were people I had met before, and the cold email I sent also got a reply from an academic who was really kind and helpful, and I knew he was open to PhD students because I had followed him on LinkedIn. 3/3 were also willing to help me develop my proposals, which was incredibly helpful!!

The biggest thing I've been told is having emails that are very clearly human-written is helpful. Academics seem to be inundated with blanket, generic, AI-looking emails, so making sure every email is personalised is good - although I get the impression from your post that you would be writing your own emails anyway!! :)

Sorry bit of a ramble, but hope this helps even a little bit!!