York Research Supervisor Workshops
The York Research Supervisor Workshop Series provides an opportunity for supervisors from different disciplines to come together to share and reflect on their practice as a community of supervisor practitioners. They are designed to support individual supervisors and those working in supervisory teams.
The workshops for 2024/25 are designed to support PGR supervisors at all career stages and with different levels of experience. They cover three themes:
- Supporting the PGR lifecycle - policies and processes: These bitesize sessions will provide an update on important aspects of the University’s Policy on Research Degrees and the new Code of Practice on PGR admissions. These sessions are critical to an understanding of York’s processes and will enable consistency, quality assurance and compliance with University, legal and funder requirements. They will be recorded to enable access at the point of need.
- Enhancing your supervisory practice: These are interactive courses facilitated by specialists to enable sharing of practice and an opportunity to test out new ideas and approaches.
- Supporting Health and Wellbeing, Diversity and Equity: These are specialised workshops focusing on a particular aspect of supervisory practice and are designed to enable greater confidence in attracting and supporting researchers from diverse backgrounds.
Flexibility: All the workshops have been scheduled on different days and times to enable as many people as possible to fit them into their schedules. The emphasis is on sharing of ideas and practice and they are informal in nature so please be ready to engage verbally or through the chat function.
Certificates of completion: You can download or print your certificate of completion directly from the Learning Management System (LMS) by viewing completed sessions within your training record.
York is leading the Next Generation Research SuperVision Project. A range of supervisor development opportunities have been created and will be piloted across the consortium universities: University of York, Coventry University, King’s College London, Sheffield Hallam University and the University of Nottingham. Some of these pilots are included in Semester 2 of the York Research Supervisor Workshop series. We are seeking feedback on these pilots in order to fine tune them before they are piloted by RSVP Practitioner Partners in 2025/26. This is your opportunity to be involved and co-create meaningful provision.
Workshops for 2024/25
Semester 1
1 October 2024, 10am to 11.30am (online)
Working through authentic (anonymised) case studies, colleagues are invited to consider how best to support PGRs through the ethics and process. Colleagues will also be able to explore the role of Trusted Research, Nagoya Protocol and data management.
- Audience: All supervisors and Graduate Administrators
- Facilitators: Facilitated by colleagues in Open Research, Academic Liaison, Teaching and Learning teams and colleagues in Policy, Integrity and Performance
- Related theme: Supporting the PGR lifecycle - policies and processes
Book your place: Integrating Integrity into Doctoral research - building best practice
11 November 2024, 10.30am to 12.30pm (on campus - SLB/006)
This new session will focus on joining a supervisory team part way through a candidate’s doctorate. We will highlight some of the key issues to be aware of when taking on new PGRs and provide a space in which colleagues can feel able to share experiences. We will cover: getting up to speed with the processes, co-supervisors and establishing relationships.
- Audience: York supervisors who are taking on a PGR because of changes to the supervisory team
- Facilitators: Dr Nicola Palmer, School for Business and Society - University of York and Sheffield Hallam University, alongside Dr Karen Clegg, Co-PI, Next Generation Research SuperVision Project (RSVP), University of York, Juliet James and PGR Faculty Leads
- Related theme: Enhancing your supervisory practice
Book your place: Joining a supervisory team partway through a project
21 November 2024, 11am to 12 noon (online)
Designed to help those new to doctoral supervision, this session will explore: discussing expectations with the supervisory team; defining professional boundaries; guiding the research project and supporting independent scholarship.
- Audience: New supervisors (Graduate Administrators are also welcome)
- Facilitators: This session is delivered by Dr Karen Clegg - Co-PI, Next Generation Research SuperVision Project (RSVP), University of York
- Related theme: Supporting the PGR lifecycle - policies and processes
3 December 2024, 12 noon to 1pm (online)
This new and short session will explore how to provide useful and constructive feedback on PGR work, and strategies for getting students to engage with the feedback.
- Audience: Supervisors at all levels
- Facilitators: Dr Karen Clegg (Co-PI, Next Generation Research SuperVision Project, University of York), Dr Julia Rayner (Mentoring Coordinator, Next Generation Research SuperVision Project, University of York) and Dr Roisin Astell (Digital Resource and Researcher Developer, Next Generation Research SuperVision Project)
- Related theme: Supporting the PGR lifecycle - policies and processes
This is now fully booked. If you're interested in attending a future session, please join the waiting list on the Learning Management System (LMS) so that we can notify you when new dates are made available.
Semester 2
Sessions for this semester include pilots for the Next Generation Research SuperVision Project (RSVP). We are seeking supervisor feedback on these sessions in order to fine tune them before they are piloted by RSVP Practitioner Partners in 2025/26.
17 February 2025, 11.30am to 12.30pm (online) - limited places available
13 March 2025, 12 noon to 1pm (on campus - SLB/005)
In this session we will consider the challenges faced in supporting students with the viva, and explore tools and techniques with which to support postgraduate researchers (PGRs) through the viva process. Some York specific context and data will also be provided. The format of this session will be a facilitated discussion.
Participants will:
- Identify the key roles, responsibilities and expectations of the supervisor in supporting students for doctoral examination
- Develop strategies for supporting students effectively for doctoral examination, considering diverse student needs, university support services and resources to support preparing candidates for the doctoral examination
- Recognise and address common challenges in supporting students for the doctoral examination
This is a pilot session for the Next Generation Research SuperVision Project (RSVP).
- Audience: Supervisors at all levels
- Facilitators: Dr Karen Clegg, Dr Julia Rayner and Dr Roisin Astell, Next Generation Research SuperVision Project (RSVP), University of York
- Related theme: Supporting the PGR lifecycle - policies and processes
Book your place: Supporting PGRs through assessment and the viva
18 February 2025, 12.30pm to 1.30pm (online)
This session is for supervisors who would like their supervision practice to be formally recognised. The UKCGE Supervision Recognition Programme is designed to provide a route by which PhD supervisors at all levels can achieve recognition of their professional practice (either through the associate route for those with less experience, or full recognition for more experienced supervisors). Supervisors will be introduced to the UKCGE Good Supervisory Practice Framework and encouraged to reflect and identify how their practice meets the criteria. Those supervisors who wish to develop evidence for submission will be supported through the process.
- Audience: Supervisors with two or more successful supervisions through to completion and Graduate Chairs
- Facilitators: Dr Karen Clegg, Co-PI of the Next Generation Research SuperVision Project (RSVP) and Reader in Doctoral Education and Practice, School for Arts and Creative Technologies (ACT)
- Related theme: Enhancing your supervisory practice
Book your place: Gaining recognition for your supervisory practice
18 March 2025, 1.30pm to 3.30pm (on campus - SLB/101)
The session introduces tools and techniques for establishing and aligning expectations, maintaining boundaries and developing rapport within the supervisory relationship.
Participants will gain:
- An understanding of ways to establish and manage expectations in supervisory relationships
- Confidence in having open and constructive conversations with supervisees
- Insights into methods for establishing boundaries and building rapport
- Opportunities to focus on self-reflection, activities and focused discussions.
This is a pilot session for the Next Generation Research SuperVision Project (RSVP).
- Audience: All colleagues engaged in formal and informal doctoral supervision for example members of formal supervisory teams, assistant, co- and informal supervisors including postdoctoral and research staff, technicians and professional services
- Facilitators: Dr Julia Rayner and Dr Roisin Astell, Next Generation Research SuperVision Project (RSVP), University of York
- Related theme: Supporting PGR Health and Wellbeing, Equity and Diversity
Book your place: Core Supervisory Relationship Skills - Establishing boundaries and building rapport
1 April 2025, 1pm to 2.30pm (on campus - RCH/132)
10 April 2025, 12 noon to 1.30pm (online)*
In this discussion based session participants will reflect on the writing process, the particular challenges PGRS face and how best to support them.
Participants will:
- Reflect on the writing process
- Consider the challenges from the PGR and supervisor perspective
- Learn tips and techniques to support PGR writing
- Focus on self reflection and focused discussion
This is a pilot for the Next Generation Research SuperVision Project (RSVP).
(*) The online version of this session is open to colleagues from across all core consortium institutes: University of York, Sheffield Hallam University, Coventry University, King's College London and the University of Nottingham.
- Audience: Supervisors at all levels
- Facilitators: Dr Julia Rayner and Dr Roisin Astell, Next Generation Research SuperVision Project (RSVP), University of York
- Related theme: Enhancing your supervisory practice
24 April 2025, 1pm to 3pm (on campus - Berrick Saul Treehouse BS/104)
In this session we will consider how coaching and mentoring approaches can be used both as a tool for supervision and as a way for supervisors to resolve supervisory issues in a peer supported way.
Participants will leave being able to:
- Actively reflect on their approach to supporting, communicating with, and empowering the supervisee
- Use active listening and a range of question types that fit with a coaching/mentoring approach
- Reflect on their own emotional intelligence and self-awareness when communicating with others
This is a pilot session for the Next Generation Research SuperVision Project (RSVP).
- Audience: Supervisors at all levels
- Facilitators: Dr Julia Rayner and Dr Roisin Astell, Next Generation Research SuperVision Project (RSVP), University of York
- Related theme: Enhancing your supervisory practice
Book your place: Mentoring approaches to research supervision
8 May 2025, 9am to 10am (online)
Join Natasha Kitano for an interactive workshop on effective PGR Team Supervision, where you will explore key discussion areas to enhance collaboration, clarify roles, and support student success. This workshop will equip you with the tools to foster a productive, well-aligned supervisory team and provide opportunities for discussion with an expert panel.
- Audience: Supervisors at all levels
- Facilitators: Natasha Kitano, Queensland University of Technology, and PGR supervisors
- Related theme: Enhancing your supervisory practice
This workshop is being hosted by the University of York and it is open to all core institutes of the Next Generation Research SuperVision Project (RSVP): University of York, Sheffield Hallam University, Coventry University, King's College London and the University of Nottingham.
Book your place: Developing effective co and team supervision
12 May 2025, 1pm to 2pm (online)
This short session is designed to help those new to supervision with starting the supervisory relationship with their postgraduate researcher. The session will explore: expectations and relationships within the supervisory team; defining professional boundaries; guiding the research project and developing an independent scholar.
- Audience: New supervisors (Graduate Administrators are also welcome)
- Facilitators: Dr Julia Rayner and Dr Roisin Astell, Next Generation Research SuperVision Project (RSVP), University of York
- Related theme: Supporting the PGR lifecycle - policies and processes
This session is new for 2024/25 and has been recently added to this year's programme for Semester 2.
15 May 2025, 1.30pm to 3pm (on campus - Berrick Saul Treehouse BS/104, Campus West)
What's involved in examining a doctoral thesis? Learn from a cross-disciplinary panel of experienced examiners on how they go about examining the thesis and how they see their role in the oral examination. You will also learn about your roles and responsibilities in the examination process as an internal examiner in relation to relevant policies, guidelines and reasonable adjustment.
- Audience: Supervisors at all levels
- Facilitators: Cross disciplinary panel of supervisors with experience of examining doctoral theses
- Related theme: Enhancing your supervisory practice
Supervisor mentoring circles
As part of the Next Generation Research SuperVision Project (RSVP), we are piloting supervisor mentoring circles which are open to all PGR supervisors at York. Mentoring circles provide an alternative approach to professional development with participants collaboratively agreeing on topics to be discussed, sharing their experiences and reflecting on approaches through facilitated collegial conversations. The circles require a commitment to meet with a group of 6-8 supervisors from diverse disciplines on a regular basis over an agreed period of time. The purpose is to support each other in further developing supervisory skills and confidence, gain new perspectives and build networks.
Find out more about mentoring for PGR Supervisors at York
How to apply
To join a peer mentoring circle, please fill in the application form to help us match peer mentors based on their needs, experience, and areas of interest.
Apply for supervisor mentoring circles
Apply by Monday 3 February 2025 to be part of Cohort 1 which will run from February 2025 to July 2025. Group allocations for this cohort will be confirmed in mid February 2025.
Any applications made after Monday 3 February 2025 will be considered for Cohort 2 which will run from September 2025 to February 2026.
Communities of Practice Meetings
Communities of Practice discussions are an opportunity for all those involved in supervision or supporting the supervisory process to meet face to face as a community of practice and discuss important topics in supervision. Topics will be shared in advance of these bimonthly meetings and you are welcome to come to any that interest you.
New dates for 2024/25 to be announced.