Supervisors constantly rejecting my ideas. What to do? I just started my PhD. I work in an interdisciplinary field so I have 3 supervisors from different fields.
Up until now, we had 4 research meetings together and the weird thing was everytime I came up with an idea, it was immediately rejected. Although, they gave me reasons why they rejected it, it always feels like they didn't really understand what I was trying to say exactly. I did not want to push on because I fear it may make them feel dumb in front of others because they don't understand what I am saying.
But yesterday, we had another meeting and I got really annoyed. One of the supervisors came up with an idea and the others all thought it was a great idea. But I actually mentioned the idea a long time ago, but it was immediately rejected back then.
This makes me feel really depressing since it feels like it's mainly my fault for not communicating properly but at the same time it somehow feels like my supervisors are willfully rejecting my ideas because of my status as a fresh PhD student.
How do I deal with this?
When I was in medical devices we had lab books to support potential patent claims etc..
Write your ideas in a lab book.
If it happens again, you could try to say something like, 'I think I may have a communication issue.  I suggested this idea on xxx but it appears I may not have communicated the concept very well.  Perhaps I'm letting myself down in communicating my ideas very well.  If it happens again could you let me know so that I can better express myself.'
You've taken it on the chin, asked them for help in a non academic way and brought to attention your original idea.  Everytime they do it, you can remind them in this manner, they'll have to take you seriously eventually; if they continue to dismiss your ideas and then suggest them later, you'll have a strong record for challenging that behaviour etc..
Very importantly be respectful, they may just find it hard to understand you.