Supervising Doctoral Studies

Supervising Doctoral Studies Supervising Doctoral Studies will empower universities to ensure all staff members involved in the supervision of doctoral candidates (including external supervisors) are well equipped to deal with emerging challenges in this continually-changing field. The programme provides reassurance that institutions are employing the most effective and up-to-date techniques in supervision, ensuring the best possible environment for their doctoral candidates.

Provide innovative professional training for doctoral supervisors. Supervising Doctoral Studies Provide innovative professional training for doctoral supervisors. Programme structure: Number of courses: 8 courses Core activities: 10 hours Additional activities: 20+ hours

Supervising Doctoral Studies

Supervising Doctoral Studies

Contributors LEAD ADVISOR: Dr Douglas Halliday Former Dean of the Graduate School and current Director of the Multidisciplinary Centre for Doctoral Training in Energy, Durham University

Contributors Professor Nicholas Steneck Director of the Research Ethics and Integrity Program of the Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research and Professor Emeritus of History, University of Michigan, USA Dr Stan Taylor Honorary Fellow of the School of Education at Durham University Dr Anne Lee Senior Fellow of the Staff and Educational Development Association & Fellow of the Higher Education Academy Dr Margaret Kiley Visiting Fellow at Australian National University   Dr George Walker Professor of Physics and the Chief Strategy Officer at Cleveland State University Dr Janet Carton Graduate Education Development Manager at University College Dublin

Development Group Members Contributors Development Group Members Brunel University The Open University Cardiff University The University of Newcastle, Australia Central Queensland University, Australia The University of New England, Australia Durham University University of Adelaide, Australia Hong Kong University of Science and Technology University of Essex James Cook University, Australia University of Limerick, Ireland Leeds Beckett University University of New South Wales, Australia London South Bank University University of Nottingham Monash University, Australia University of Sussex Newcastle University University of Ulster Sheffield Hallam University

Background The Supervising Doctoral Studies programme consists of eight online learning units, designed to contribute to the development of both new and experienced research supervisors. Authored by experts who have spent many years researching the doctoral process, topics include: dealing with applicants and the selection of candidates; approaches to supervision; setting candidates on the right course; managing progress; preparing for examination; dealing with issues that can arise during supervision; and supervisors' continuing professional development. The programme will provide a valuable resource for all supervisors seeking to support candidates as they develop into independent researchers.

Overview The programme will provide you with: Clarity regarding the management of candidate’s needs and expectations throughout the process. The tools to create an action plan for continual supervisory development. Enhanced ability to identify issues in supervision and establish strategies to avoid situations arising, or to deal with them effectively. Advice on ensuring that candidates achieve completion and are adequately prepared for examination.

Syllabus Introduction: The doctoral context Core: 1 hour Additional: 2 hours 30 minutes The course introduces the programme and prepares participants for later units. It asks the pressing question ‘What skills will supervisors need to successfully support candidates through this long, varied, and complex process?’ which the full programme aims to answer. Syllabus: Introduction to the programme and features Characteristics of an effective doctoral supervisor The contemporary doctorate and wider context Institutional drivers and supervisor requirements Diagnostics activity to help participants to map a route through the programme Attracting and selecting doctoral applicants Core: 1 hour 20 minutes Attracting and selecting doctoral applicants covers the full spectrum of candidate recruitment from optimising your supervisory profile to identifying the characteristics of a ‘successful’ candidate and to how to meet applicant needs and expectations. Optimising your ability to attract desirable applicants What are you looking for? Characteristics of a ‘successful’ doctoral candidate Evaluating research potential in applicants Management of applicant perceptions Approaching supervision Core: 1 hour20 minutes Additional: 2 hours 30 minutes Approaching supervision considers the varying ways in which doctoral degrees can be supervised. It encourages research supervisors to examine their own supervisory practices and personal experience of supervision with a view to informing and framing the working relationship with their doctoral candidate. The unit also examines the issues of diversity and inclusivity in the context of research supervision. The pedagogical approach to doctoral supervision Supervisor styles Aligning supervisory styles with candidate needs Clarifying expectations, roles and responsibilities of you and your candidate Diversity and inclusivity in supervision

Syllabus Expectations and preparing for examination Core: 1 hour 30 minutes Additional: 2 hours30 minutes Expectations and preparing for examination addresses the stage of the doctoral process which is often the most fraught for student and supervisor alike. This course explores key issues in the examination process to assist supervisors in working with candidates prior to, during, and following examination. Syllabus: Thesis assessment criteria Understanding your institution’s regulations Selecting examiners Finalising and submitting the thesis The oral component of examination Supporting your candidate following examination Issues in supervision   Additional: 2 hours 30 minutes Issues in supervision addresses the fact that supervisors will experience a range of issues and need to respond to them effectively. Participants will consider a number of the commonplace issues and advice regarding the ways in which they might respond to them. Aligning expectations Motivating candidates who are procrastinating Responding to candidates with disabilities Dealing with plagiarism Managing relationships with co-supervisors Managing relationships with candidates Continuing your supervisory development Issues in supervision This concluding unit enables participants to reflect on the programme as a whole and establish an action plan for ongoing development. Reflective practice and performance assessment Working with a supervisory team or with a mentor Broadening your horizons: Being a thesis examiner What next? Steps for further development

Supervising Doctoral Studies Course features: Video interviews with new and experienced supervisors and students Case studies and practical scenarios exploring real-life examples Polling feature enabling participants to compare their responses to complex questions with those of their peers Customisable portfolio incorporating practical and in-depth reflective self-development activities Conclusion unit containing full programme resource bank, reference and interactive practice scenarios 20 hours of additional self-development, peer-to-peer and tutor-led activities Supplement which covers how to implement the courses for effective results and integrate the additional activities into a fully blended learning programme.

Supervising Doctoral Studies This programme will help supervisors to: Gain an overview of the contemporary doctorate, including institutional and national requirements Identify key aspects of this multi-faceted role for their own context Feel confident in defining the characteristics of a successful doctoral candidate in their discipline Have clarity regarding the management of candidates’ needs and expectations throughout the process Identify potential issues in supervision and establish strategies for dealing with them effectively Create an action plan for continual supervisory development.

Testimonials “A doctoral qualification recognises the highest level of academic achievement; it provides numerous career opportunities in today’s world. Supervising doctoral candidates is a challenging and complex activity. A successful supervisor supports an individual as they develop into an independent researcher. This online programme draws on the experiences of leading experts in the area of supervision.  Epigeum uses the online environment in an engaging, stimulating and thought provoking manner. These courses have much to offer both new and experienced supervisors. Any institution adopting this programme can be confident that it will have a positive and long-lasting impact on the experience of doctoral candidates.” — Dr Douglas Halliday, Lead Advisor

Pricing For more information on pricing, contact your local business development representative: https://www.epigeum.com/contact-your-representative

Contact Information To find out more about this programme please email us at: epigeum@oup.com Or visit us: www.epigeum.com/next-steps https://www.epigeum.com/collaboration/get-involved/