How to supervise PhD students?

Supervising PhD students can be a daunting task for any professor. This guide will help you understand how to supervise PhD students and how to best support them through their studies. As a supervisor, you play an important role in helping your students succeed. By providing guidance and feedback, you can help your students reach their full potential.

Defining the supervisor’s role

A PhD supervisor has three main roles:

Provide academic leadership and help the student choose an appropriate research topic
Guide and support the student’s progress, offering advice and feedback on their work
Act as a referee when the student submits their thesis

The most important thing for a supervisor to remember is that they are not responsible for doing the student’s research for them. The supervisor’s role is to guide and support the student, helping them to develop the skills and knowledge they need to complete their research independently.

It is also important for supervisors to keep in mind that each student will have different needs and preferences in terms of how they like to work. Some students may want close supervision, while others may prefer to be given more independence. It is important to try to find a balance that works for both parties.

Building a positive relationship

Supervising a PhD student can be a daunting task. You are responsible for their progress and, ultimately, their success or failure. But, with the right approach, it can also be an immensely rewarding experience.

A good working relationship with your student is paramount. It is important to foster an open and supportive environment, where your student feels comfortable coming to you with questions, concerns and ideas.

Here are some tips for building a positive relationship with your PhD student:

Available: Let your student know that you are available to meet, either in person or virtually. Set regular meeting times and stick to them. If you need to cancel or reschedule a meeting, give as much notice as possible.
Supportive: Your student will need your support throughout their candidature. offer constructive feedback on their work, help them to troubleshoot problems and offer encouragement when needed.
Responsive: When your student contacts you, try to respond as quickly as possible. If you cannot answer their question straight away, let them know when they can expect a response.
Respectful: Show respect for your student’s time, ideas and opinions. Avoid interrupting them when they are speaking and listen carefully to what they have to say.

Establishing expectations

A PhD supervisor’s primary responsibility is to help their students make progress in their research and attain their degree. In order to do this effectively, it is important to establish clear expectations with your students from the outset. Here are some things to consider:

How often will you meet?
What is the best way to communicate (e.g., email, phone, in person)?
What is your policy on feedback?
How much input do you want on drafts?
When and how will you provide feedback on drafts?
What are your expectations for drafts (e.g., length, formatting)?
Are there any specific resources or readings you expect your students to consult?
How much guidance will you provide on research methods and design?
Will you be available to review data and analyses?
What level of involvement do you expect in project planning and management?
How will you handle disagreements or conflict?

It is also important to keep in mind that expectations may change over time, so it is important to revisit them periodically. If there are any major changes (e.g., a change in the frequency of meetings), be sure to discuss this with your student so that they are aware of the change and can adjust accordingly.

Giving feedback – How to supervise PhD students?

Giving feedback is essential to helping your PhD students progress in their research. However, it can also be difficult to know how to give effective feedback. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

Be clear and concise in your feedback.
Focus on the positive aspects of the work first, followed by suggestions for improvement.
Give specific examples to illustrate your points.
Avoid general comments or criticisms.
Try to encourage the student by showing interest and excitement about their work.

Managing conflict

All supervisors will, at some point, need to deal with conflict between themselves and their students. Conflict can arise for a number of reasons, including differences in opinion, personality clashes or competition for limited resources. Whatever the cause, it’s important to deal with conflict in a constructive way.

Here are some tips for managing conflict:

Try to understand the other person’s perspective. Empathy is key in managing conflict – if you can understand where the other person is coming from, it will be easier to find a resolution that works for both of you.
Communicate openly and honestly. It’s important to communicate your own needs and feelings clearly, without resorting to aggression or passive-aggression. This will help the other person feel heard and understood, and more likely to cooperate in finding a solution.
Don’t shy away from difficult conversations. Avoiding conflict might seem like the easy option, but it’s often not productive in the long run. It’s better to deal with problems head-on, so they don’t fester and cause even more tension down the line.
Be prepared to compromise. In any conflict, there is usually room for compromise – so be prepared to meet the other person halfway. This doesn’t mean you have to give up on your own needs entirely, but it does mean being willing to find a middle ground that works for both of you.

Supporting professional development

Doctoral students are at the heart of any research group or institute, and their success is essential to the vibrancy and productivity of the organisation. Giving time and thought to how you support your doctoral students’ professional development (PD) will reap rewards for all.

What is professional development?

Broadly, PD encompasses activities that help individuals to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviors they need to be successful in their current or future roles. For doctoral students, this might include:

Developing research skills such as data analysis or project management
Enhancing transferrable skills such as presenting or writing grants
Increasing confidence and independence in their work
Explore their career options beyond academia

Why is PD important for doctoral students?

PD opportunities can help doctoral students to:

Address identified development needs
Progress in their studies and transition to successful completion
Enhance their employability prospects, either within or outside academia

Monitoring progress

Monitoring a student’s progress is important to ensure they are making adequate progress and to identify any problems early on. There are a number of ways you can do this, including:

Regular meetings: Meet with your student regularly (e.g. monthly), either individually or as part of group supervision. These meetings provide an opportunity for you to check in with the student on their progress, give feedback on their work and discuss any problems they may be having.
Reviews: Set up regular reviews, either formally (e.g. an annual review) or informally (e.g. after each project milestone is completed). These reviews give you the chance to assess the student’s progress and give feedback on their work to date.
Progress reports: Ask the student to prepare regular written reports detailing their progress (e.g. every 6 months). These reports provide you with a written record of the student’s progress and can be used to identify any issues early on.

Ensuring a successful outcome

The aim of supervision is to help you to develop as an independent researcher and to complete your PhD within a reasonable time frame. The responsibilities of supervisors vary according to the country, university and department in which you registered, but there are some general principles that all supervisors should follow.

As a minimum, your supervisor should:

Be available for regular meetings with you
Have sufficient time to devote to your supervision
Have expertise in your area of research
Be familiar with the PhD regulations of your university
Be willing to read and comment on drafts of your thesis
Provide constructive criticism of your work
Help you to develop research skills
Monitor your progress and provide written reports to your department or faculty

Being prepared to let go

You have done your job well if, by the time your student completes the PhD, they are better researchers than you are. If they are not, then you have not done your job properly. You should therefore expect to feel a sense of loss, and even jealousy, when they move on to be successful in their own right.

It is therefore important to be prepared for this feeling and to have other things in your life that will take up the time and energy that you have previously invested in your student. Some supervisors find it helpful to take on a new challenge, such as a new research project, at this time. Others find that they can give more attention to their family or hobbies. Whatever you do, make sure that you do not become emotionally dependent on your students.

Reflecting on experience – How to supervise PhD students?

It is inevitable that at some point during your academic career you will be asked to take on the role of supervisor for a PhD student. This is a significant responsibility and one that should not be taken lightly. In this article, we will explore some of the challenges and rewards that come with supervising PhD students.

One of the most important aspects of being a supervisor is creating a rapport with your students. This can be difficult, as there is often a power imbalance between supervisors and students. It is important to remember that your students are adults and should be treated as such. A good way to build rapport is to get to know your students on a personal level, without crossing any boundaries. This can be done by asking about their research interests, family life, hobbies, etc.

It is also important to set boundaries with your students from the outset. This will help to avoid any potential conflict down the line. Some things you may want to consider include how often you are available to meet, what types of communication you are comfortable with (e-mail, phone, etc.), and what kind of feedback you are willing to provide (constructive criticism or positive reinforcement only).

Supervising PhD students can be both challenging and rewarding. It is important to remember that you are playing a vital role in their academic journey and taking on this responsibility should not be taken lightly. With proper support and guidance, you can help your students to succeed in their studies and ultimately make a valuable contribution to the field of research.

Conclusion – How to supervise PhD students?

There are a few key things to remember about they way that you supervise PhD students. First, it is important to be available and approachable. Second, give clear and concise instructions. Third, be patient and flexible. Fourth, be supportive but also honest. Finally, don’t forget to take breaks – both for yourself and for your student. If you have any confusion about how to supervise PhD students, you can ask us.