”How to be a good PhD supervisor ?” Seminar at The Faculty of Engineering Science and Technology On ”How to be a good PhD supervisor ?” Introduction by Torgeir Moan

Faculty of Engineering Science and Technology Background Faculty of Engineering Science and Technology action plan for research : - Introduction of mandatory subject for PhD students ---- fall semester 2007. - improve supervision of PhD students. Actions: Seminars in the spring of 2007: How to be a good PhD supervisor? Theory of science and research methods Research ethics

How to be a good PhD supervisor? Aim - Identify characteristics of good supervision - Contribute to a written ”Guidance for Supervisors” Agenda Time Topic and speaker 1315 Introduction, chairman, PhD committee 1330 Presentation, Professor Martin Landrø 1350 Presentation, Professor Edgar Hertwich 1410 Presentation, PhD student Narve Lyngby. 1430 Coffee 1445 Discussion with respect to ”Guidance for supervisors” 1545 End

Introduction to the seminar Purpose of PhD study - train the PhD student to become an independent researcher - accomplish research which is publishable PhD study process Recruiting Fulfill course requirements Carry out research Document research by thesis and publications Defend thesis

Supervisor’s tasks Recruit candidate Plan course study, monitor progress and possibly modify plan Establish the research plan in cooperation with the PhD student Supervise research Supervise thesis writing & publishing - monograph viz collection of papers (supervisor as joint author) - where? how ?------ Guide the student to review papers (literature search and study, scientific writing, language training ) No task in connection with thesis defence Time management - ensure completion of the thesis within time frame (3 years!) - ensure that the work is published

Supervisor’s roles Professional role Social role - how far ? The PhD candidate is the main person in the candidate-supervisor relationship The power balance between candidate-supervisor is asymmetric - PhD candidates are vulnerable

Supervisor’s role during the research process - organize research environment (co-supervisors?) - allocate time for interaction with the PhD candidate; schedule meetings; milestones (publishing papers) - scientific method and efficiency ( in time !) - provide guidance – develop independence - mentor role? - cultural issues ( 50 % of PhD students are foreigners) - ”Supervisor quality” - joint supervision (for instance: first-time supervisor should co-supervise with an experienced supervisor) ? - required active publishing in the last 5 years ?

Student expectations (the supervisor is also allowed to have expections to the student!) Students expect to be supervised ….and they expect supervisors to read their work well in advance be available when needed be friendly, open and supportive be constructively critical

Student expectations (cont) And to…. have a good knowledge of the research area structure the tutorial so that it is relatively easy to exchange ideas have sufficient interest in their research to put more information in the students’ path be sufficiently involved in their success to help them get a good job at the end of it all!

THE PSYCHOLOGICAL PROCESS Be aware of psycological issues Motivation Enthusiasm Dealing with problems Isolation Boredom, Frustration Job to be finished Euphoria Transfer of dependence from supervisor to independent work Supervisors should not misuse their power

Literature