Many people who have completed a PhD or are currently undertaking one, don’t speak highly of their supervisor. I was recently talking to someone who is examining a PhD and their comments were not very positive about how the supervisor had supported the student to create their Thesis. I have also supported PhD students who have had some really bad experiences and gave up on the research.
There is clearly an issue, as you have to had completed a PhD to supervise, so it seems bad practice is driving further bad practice. So this got me thinking, we need to start talking about what is good practice for PhD supervision?
Good Practice in Supervising a PhD Student
Supervisors play a vital role in mentoring, guiding, and supporting students as they navigate the challenges of research and thesis writing. Below, I explore the principles of good practice in PhD supervision, alongside strategies to foster a productive and enriching supervisory relationship.
Best Practices in PhD Supervision
1. Establish a Strong Foundation
Begin the supervision relationship with clear discussions about expectations, roles, and responsibilities. Formalize these agreements in a supervision plan to ensure mutual understanding. Ensure monthly minuted meetings, discuss issues which lock progress, and set actions for the next month so progress can be mapped out over the longer period.
At first PhD supervision meeting, I get out a piece of paper, divide the page into three, one for each of the years, add start and finish points and say, this is what we need to do. Then I draw a line which starts very wildly and eventually settles down to get to the end. (See the image on this article.) Then I say, this is the project plan, we are going to make mistakes, we will find blind alleyways, and some things will take a lot longer than we want, but with this project plan, we now know how to get there and what to expect. They then know, firstly you know how this is going to go and will support them to the end, Secondly, you are happy for them to make mistakes as its in the project plan.
2. Set Clear Milestones
Work with your student to create a roadmap of key milestones and deliverables, over typically a 3 year period. So broadly, literature review, investigation, writing up. Then breaking these into smaller, manageable goals helps maintain momentum and reduces the risk of overwhelm.
3. Encourage Independence
A primary aim of PhD supervision is to foster independent researchers. While guidance is essential, allow students the freedom to make decisions, take risks, and learn from their experiences. This takes different forms, so for example, the literature review may involve looking into parallel fields or new, unproven ideas.
4. Provide Constructive Feedback
Offer feedback that is timely, specific, and actionable. Balance critique with encouragement to ensure students remain motivated while improving their work.
5. Be Accessible and Approachable
Maintain regular communication (so if they email you, reply within 24/48 hours depending on your SLA) and be available for ad hoc meetings when needed. A supervisor’s approachability can significantly impact a student’s confidence and progress.
6. Support Professional Development
Encourage students to engage in activities beyond their thesis, such as presenting at conferences, guest lectures and workshops, publishing research papers, or attending workshops. These opportunities build essential skills and enhance employability whilse build a network of researchers.
7. Monitor Well-being
Stay tuned to the emotional and mental well-being of your students. Pursuing a PhD can be stressful, and your support can make a substantial difference during challenging periods.
Common Mistakes in PhD Supervision
1. Micromanagement
Over-involvement in a student’s work can stifle creativity and hinder the development of independent research skills. Balance supporting the pace of the PhD and getting involved in the work.
2. Lack of Communication
Irregular or insufficient communication can leave students feeling unsupported and directionless. Regular monthly meetings and updates are crucial.
3. Overloading Students
Avoid assigning excessive tasks or responsibilities that detract from the primary focus of their research. Learn to understand the critical path to completing and what activities are not on that path.
4. Ignoring Administrative Responsibilities
Familiarize yourself with institutional requirements for progression, ethics, visa regulations and examination to avoid unnecessary delays in the student’s journey.
5. Failing to Address Conflict
Address conflicts or misunderstandings promptly. Ignoring issues can lead to long-term strain in the supervisor-student relationship. ‘Eat the Frog’ everyday.
Tips for Supervisors
- Celebrate Milestones Recognize and celebrate achievements, such as completing a chapter, publishing a paper, or presenting at a conference. Positive reinforcement boosts morale.
- Encourage Peer Support Promote peer interaction and collaboration. This helps students gain new perspectives and feel part of a research community.
- Leverage Technology Use tools like project management software, virtual meeting platforms, and shared document repositories to streamline supervision.
- Stay Current Continuously update your knowledge of your field and supervision practices by attending workshops and networking with other supervisors.
- Lead by Example Demonstrate professionalism, curiosity, and commitment in your academic endeavors. Your behavior sets a standard for your students.
Conclusion
Good PhD supervision is a blend of mentorship, academic guidance, and emotional support. By adopting best practices, avoiding common pitfalls, and tailoring your approach to each student’s needs, you can help them succeed not only in completing their thesis but also in developing as confident and capable researchers. The supervisor-student relationship is a rewarding partnership that, when nurtured effectively, benefits both parties and contributes to the broader academic community.
