Workshop for PhD supervisors: Balancing guidance and independence

Purpose

This workshop explores the delicate balance between supervisory guidance and doctoral researcher independence. On the one hand, supervisors are expected to provide sufficient support to help doctoral researchers produce high-quality research and complete their projects within the expected timeframe. On the other hand, supervisors should foster the development of independent researchers by allowing doctoral candidates to take ownership of their learning process, including learning from mistakes.

In this workshop, participants will receive research-informed, practical strategies for navigating and balancing these two important - and sometimes competing - responsibilities. Particular attention will be given to dialogical tools and open, Socratic questioning techniques that help doctoral researchers take an active and responsible role in supervision meetings.

Target group

The workshop is aimed at doctoral supervisors at the university. It is relevant to participate whether you have already supervised one or several doctoral researchers or are new to supervision.

Time and location

The course takes place online on 9 February 2027, 09:00-12:00. Participants will receive a Zoom link after registration.

General information

The course is offered in English. The teaching is highly interactive based on a combination of group work, exercises, plenary discussions, and lectures.

Facilitator

Gitte Wichmann-Hansen, PhD, Professor at University of Agder, and owner of the consultancy Academic Supervision that offers high quality professional training of research supervisors. She is an established publishing researcher within the field of supervision, and she has 20+ years of experience with running workshops for supervisors at all career stages across universities, internationally.

Registration

Register for the workshop by 2 February.