1. Supervising Doctoral Studies

2. 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.

3. 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

4. Supervising Doctoral Studies

5. Supervising Doctoral Studies

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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

16. Pricing
For more information on pricing, contact your local business development representative:

17. Contact Information
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