PhD Supervisors' Academy

Strengthen your supervisory expertise by participating in the activities of the PhD Supervisors’ Academy. The offering is open to PhD supervisors at the University of Oulu.

About PhD Supervisors' Academy

The offerings of the PhD Supervisors’ Academy are designed to fit busy schedules and a variety of needs. Participate in peer discussions or peer group mentoring, make use of self-study materials at your own pace, or take part in a doctoral supervision course.

Our activities promote high-quality, research-based supervision and support the well-being of doctoral researchers and the smooth progress of their doctoral education.

Mentoring Lite

Strengthen your own expertise and a shared culture of learning

Mentoring Lite in a nutshell:

  • Group mentoring in 3-5 meetings remotely, over lunch/coffee, or however the group sees fit
  • The group decides the themes for discussion, schedule and meeting method
  • Groups are multidisciplinary with participants of different experience levels
  • Setting up schedule and goals for the group is supported by program facilitators
  • Materials and resources are provided to support the mentoring experience

Find out more about Mentoring Lite on DigiCampus. Access requires an enrolment key, which can be found in University of Oulu intranet Patio.

Enrolment for the next round of the programme will open in spring 2027.

PhD Supervisors' Academy Online

Online self-study micro modules

Explore themes of supervision and make use of more tools:

  • Information for PhD Supervisors
  • Better Communication, Better Results
  • The Art and Craft of Guiding the Writing Process
  • Equality and Diversity in the Research Community
  • AI in the Supervisor’s Toolbox

All materials are available in the Academy’s DigiCampus workspace. Access requires an enrolment key, which can be found in University of Oulu intranet Patio.

PhD Supervisors' Breakfast

Discuss themes of supervision with peers

The PhD Supervisors’ Academy regularly hosts breakfast events where supervisors can discuss current topics in supervision, share experiences, and network with peers.

PhD Supervisors’ breakfasts in 2026:

  • February: Futures Thinking and Career Adaptability - Iina Tolonen
  • May: Co-supervision and Collaboration: Communication, Coordination, and Shared Responsibility - Jouko Miettunen
  • September: Henrikki Liimatainen: Doctoral research plan – Views for supervisors
  • December: Renata Prunskaite-Hyyryläinen (topic to be announced)

PhD Supervisors' Breakfast: Doctoral research plan - Views for supervisors

Doctoral supervision training for supervisors (1-2 ECTS)

The aims of the course are to provide targeted support for supervisors, learn about research-based best practices for supervision, as well as share experiences and knowledge, and learn from each other.
Course contents:
  • basic knowledge of supervision from research-based perspective
  • quality supervision
  • challenging points in supervision
  • ethics in supervision
  • expectations in supervision
  • supervision as interaction.
The course consists of two plenary lectures and four facilitated peer group meetings. The participants can earn 1-2 ECTS. The course is organised annually by the University Pedagogy Team. Read more in Peppi.