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[mountainguy]

I finished my MA last spring and will be going on to the doctoral program in the same department this fall. However, I've recently come to the realization that I don't want to work with the same advisor who directed my MA. There were some definite personality issues there, and that person's research interests don't align as well with my own. I've identified another professor who has research interests similar to my own, and who has expressed in the past a willingness to work with me.

So does anyone have suggestions about how to make a change while causing as little drama as possible? Of course, I'm going to attribute the change to a shift in my research interests ("Professor X's work with Topic Y is really what I want to focus on"). But there will be people in my department who will question my motives, since my old advisor has a reputation for being somewhat obnoxious.

[mtnlover]

As long as the old adviser isn't on the committee it shouldn't be a problem.  They may actually be glad - I have asked students to change to another major professor if they just don't seem to be working that well with my personality.  I usually have 3 or 4 doctoral students I am the major adviser for so I need to be fair to everyone (including me).

[shrek]

The old advisor (depending on personality, etc.) can most certainly be on the committee if the student wishes. I'd had students move from working with me as an MA student to working with a colleague as a PhD student and the other way around. The best match is one where there are shared interests in research and often times the MA is an exploration of a research interest-- because it's a relatively short time period, it makes no sense to switch topics during an MA. But, it's a different story for a Ph.D. I spend lots of time talking to prospective students about this match and what to look for in a mentor. I want to work with someone who thinks my work is the coolest thing out there and who wants to do extended research on the topic-- because that's what they will do. Even if the student is fabulous, if there's no match on interest then both student and mentor will be frustrated. So, I would advise you to focus on the issue of shared research interests rather than on personality and to go ahead and make the switch.

[atalanta]

Mountainguy,"good on you" for trying to handle this in a politically sensitive way. I was not as savvy about such things when I was in grad school. This bodes well for your future in  dealing with the petty politics of academic departments!

I suggest that you approach your current advisor for advice. Even though you have made up your mind, you can frame the questions as if you haven't. "Prof Prickly, I'm at a crossroads. I've always had a strong interest in areas B and C. What if I..? Here's why I think it would be a good career move.. what do you think? Would it be better if I moved to a different institution? If I stayed here, do you think Prof Good or Prof Nice would be a good advisor?"

Your prof will be flattered, rather than blindsided (as s/he might be if hearing about your decision after the fact). Remember, even if you don't want to take the proffered "advice", you can nod sagely and thank him/her profusely, and promise to consider it.

But there will be people in my department who will question my motives, since my old advisor has a reputation for being somewhat obnoxious.

As tempting as it might be, please try not to discuss any issues you had with Prof Prickly. It's never too early to start racking up the collegiality points!