Workshop on Becoming an Effective Doctoral Supervisor

Conducted by 
Professor Maresi Nerad 
Emeritus Professor, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

Organized by 
DST Centre for Policy Research
Indian Institute of Science
Bengaluru 560 012

Dates: 3 and 4 February 2025

Objective

• Become familiar with multiple ways to connect, guide and lead your supervisees to become independent researchers, be they domestic or international doctoral candidates.
• Understand various features and benefits of supervision concepts, understand cultural differences within the supervisor-supervisee relationship and apply them effectively.
• Learn how to communicate effectively in difficult situations with your supervisees.

Description

The success of doing a doctorate depends not only on whether the doctoral candidates are suitable and skilled for this research. Empirical research has found that guidance and support by the supervisor(s) can often make the difference between success and failure.

The workshop begins by reflecting on one’s own doctoral experience, explains the current approaches to doctoral education, co-supervision, and creating an appropriate researcher learning environment.

Since doctoral candidates come from various backgrounds and bring with them various experiences, current adult learning theories will be presented, as well as key cultural differences that affect the supervising relationship.

We will practice how to convey difficult messages to one’s supervisee, and how to make one’s expectations for a quality dissertation transparent to your supervisees. 

Methodology

The workshop will be highly interactive, and work will be done in small groups.
Role plays will be used to practice communication of conveying difficult messages.
Participants must be present for the entire time.

Target group

The workshop is aimed at early-career faculty members in Indian universities / institutes who are supervising one or more doctoral students at present. You should be willing to discuss the above-mentioned topics openly in a group.

How to apply

If you are interested in participating in this Workshop, please fill out and submit this online form by 11:59 p.m. on 23 February 2025 (Thursday).