Workshop for PhD supervisors: Supporting writing processes and giving constructive feedback

Purpose

Providing feedback on academic writing is a key supervisory task, but feedback processes can be difficult to navigate. How much feedback is enough? How can supervisors avoid repetitive feedback loops? How can they provide critical feedback while remaining sensitive to the writer’s perspective? How can doctoral researchers be encouraged to take ownership of revisions? And how can supervisors manage the dual role of co-author and supervisor?

In this workshop, participants will receive research-informed and practical strategies for providing constructive feedback that supports both learning and research quality. Particular attention will be given to positioning doctoral researchers as active and responsible participants in the feedback process, strengthening their ability to evaluate and improve their own work, and managing challenging feedback situations in a constructive manner. The workshop will also introduce practical tools for supporting writing processes, including planning writing tasks, distinguishing between different writing phases, and helping doctoral researchers overcome writing blocks.

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 20 August 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 15 August.