1. ”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

2. 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

3. 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
Introduction, chairman, PhD committee
Presentation, Professor Martin Landrø
Presentation, Professor Edgar Hertwich
Presentation, PhD student Narve Lyngby.
Coffee
Discussion with respect to ”Guidance for supervisors”
End

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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 ?

8. 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

9. 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!

10. 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

11. Literature