Supervisor, Chair and Internal Examiners Development Series, 2025-26
Led by Prof. Jayne Osgood
Overview
There is little doubt that pursuing a doctorate is an incredibly demanding endeavour and key to supporting students throughout is the supervisory team. The relationship students build with supervisor(s) is unlike any other; the close and sometimes intense nature of the supervisory arrangement can be both comforting and overwhelming, requiring that boundaries are established. A doctoral journey is a long one, with unforeseen challenges along the way. It is therefore vital that the relationship is founded upon open, clear communication; and an acknowledgement by all parties that there will be (many) times to exercise a degree of flexibility and critical reflection about what is needed at particular points along the journey. This session invites supervisors to deliberate and discuss a series of ‘what if’ scenarios that are often encountered in doctoral supervision to consider how wellbeing (for everyone) might be foregrounded in navigating ways forward.
Working together for success
Considering asymmetries in supervisor/supervisee relationships
Understanding and managing communication
Addressing challenges and reflecting on difficult scenarios