University of Oulu launches PhD Supervisors’ Academy to support doctoral supervision

The University of Oulu is launching PhD Supervisors’ Academy, an initiative to create support and opportunities for developing supervisory skills in doctoral education. The Academy offers online training, peer mentoring, and networking for PhD supervisors, fostering both professional growth and a sense of community. Read more about the Opening event of the PhD Supervisors’ Academy on December 11th, 2025.

Doctoral education is in change, as are the needs and expectations of supervisors guiding the next generation of researchers and professionals. The PhD Supervisors’ Academy is designed to support supervisors by showcasing research-based supervision practices and by creating space for supervisors to learn from one another through peer exchange.

Research on doctoral supervision underscores the importance of developing supervision skills in interaction with peers. Jouko Miettunen, Professor of Clinical Epidemiology working in the Research Unit of Population Health, personally values collegial learning among doctoral supervisors. "As a doctoral researcher supervisor, I see it is important to be able to discuss possible challenges and learn from the experiences of fellow supervisors,” Miettunen says.

Key activities of the Academy include:

• Quarterly PhD Supervisors’ Breakfasts, offering opportunities for peer support, discussion, and shared reflection.
• The Mentoring Lite program, providing group peer mentoring to strengthen supervisory skills and foster a community of learning and support.
• An online learning offering of micro-courses covering key topics such as practical support for PhD supervisors, communication and leadership, equality and diversity, guiding the writing process, and considerations of AI in supervision.

All materials and courses will be available in the Academy’s DigiCampus online learning environment starting from 11 December 2025.

“Feedback from supervisors will be crucial for ongoing development of the Academy,” says Annu Perttunen, Director of the University of Oulu Graduate School (UniOGS). The PhD Supervisors’ Academy has been established by UniOGS. Approximately 1,200 PhD supervisors work at the University of Oulu. Support, tools, and training for supervisors will indirectly benefit the satisfaction, well-being, and progress toward degree completion of the 1,800 doctoral researchers at the University of Oulu.