Workshop for PhD supervisors: Building trust and aligning expectations in doctoral supervision

Purpose

Good supervision is one of the most important factors in a successful doctorate, yet supervision relationships are not always easy to navigate. Supervisors and doctoral researchers often need to balance different expectations, needs, and working styles. This workshop focuses on how supervisors can establish strong working relationships and create a solid foundation for effective supervision from the very beginning of the doctoral journey.

In this workshop, participants will receive research-informed, practical strategies for building trust and fostering productive supervision relationships. Particular attention will be given to expectation alignment as an ongoing process rather than a one-time conversation. Supervisors will be introduced to concrete tools that can help clarify goals, ambitions, roles, responsibilities, and preferred ways of working. The workshop will also address how supervisors can navigate common tensions in doctoral supervision, such as balancing professional and personal boundaries.

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 11 May 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.

Registeration

Register for the workshop by 4 May.