CPD type
Workshop
Supervisor experience
All supervisor levels
Intervention lead author
Dr Gitte Wichmann-Hansen & Dr Mirjam Godskesen
1
Released as part of
Phase 1
Piloting feedback deadline
31 March 2026
Page last updated
23 September 2025
This session offers supervisors an analytical lens for reflecting on their role and approach by introducing theoretical models to guide their thinking. A carefully selected set of theories from the doctoral supervision literature is presented, prompting group discussion and individual reflection. Rather than offering clear-cut tips, the session challenges supervisors to move beyond habitual practices and adapt approaches that align with their context, values, and postgraduate researchers' (PGRs) needs. Supervisors are guided in articulating and justifying their practices in scholarly terms, forming the basis for a written supervisory philosophy.
Learning objectives
By the end of the session, participants will be able to:
reflect on and critically assess their own role as a supervisor, recognising the importance of flexibility
deliberately choose, adapt, and provide a scholarly rationale for approaches that align with their personal values and pedagogical thinking.
Delivery format & timings
60-minute session delivered either in person or online
Theme(s)
Being a research supervisor
What is included in this resource pack?
Becoming a Flexible Supervisor_Facilitator Manual [.PDF]: This manual outlines how to deliver and adapt the workshop.
Becoming a Flexible Supervisor_Facilitator Slides [.PPTX]: These PowerPoint slides can be used for both in-person and online sessions.
Becoming a Flexible Supervisor_Pre-work [.DOCX]: This document provides tasks designed for supervisors to begin thinking about their supervisory philosophy.
Resource pack format
All resource packs are in the form of a compressed zip folder. To unzip and access all the contents of the zipped folder, press and hold (or right-click) the folder, select "Extract All" and then follow the on-screen instructions.