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Postgraduate Research Supervisors

With growing diversity among PGR cohorts and programme offerings, the role of the supervisor is becoming increasingly multifaceted. Supervisors must navigate multiple roles and wear many ‘hats’ — that of subject expert; mentor; patron; wellbeing and pastoral care supporter; co-author; careers and skills adviser and all round go-to expert. By engaging in professional development through workshops and peer-to-peer dialogue, supervisors will be better equipped to navigate the increasingly complex doctoral landscape with confidence and inclusivity.

The York PGR Supervisor Programme

This year's programme is based on feedback from the last two years of sessions and data from the supervisor focus groups as part of the Next Generation Research SuperVision Project (RSVP). It consists of several strands of activity:

Being an Effective Research Supervisor Tutorial (BERST)

Online mandatory training for all supervisors. BERST serves as a source of information and is a formative assessment of knowledge of York’s Policy on Research Degrees and understanding of the PhD process.

PGR supervisor workshops

Workshops for new and experienced supervisors covering topics under three key themes are available to book via the Learning Management System (LMS). Explore this year's workshop series and book your place.

PGR supervisor web resources

Information and useable resources on the PhD process and research supervision role.

Recognition for supervisors

As part of the Next Generation Research Supervision Project (RSVP), we are offering a programme of support for supervisors to gain formal recognition through the UK Council for Graduate Education for their supervisory practice.

Peer mentoring circles

Peer mentoring circles are facilitated conversations that foster collaborative learning and the exchange of professional practice among peers. At York, we use these circles not only to support self-reflection and mutual feedback, but also as a key framework within our recognition programme.

As 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. This includes University of York, Coventry University, King’s College London, Sheffield Hallam University and the University of Nottingham. Some of these pilots are included in this year's offering for research supervisors. 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.

Find out more about RSVP (rsvp.ac.uk)

Continuing professional development (CPD) requirements

Read the FAQs for PGR Supervisors and Graduate Chairs for further information about the CPD requirements for new and experienced PGR supervisors at York.

FAQs for PGR Supervisors and Graduate Chairs

Expectations in Research Supervision Questionnaire

Designed to facilitate a discussion of expectations held by PGRs and supervisors. It is recommended that the form be completed independently by the supervisor(s) and the PGR and that the responses be the topic of discussion at a supervision meeting.

Access the Expectations in Research Supervision questionnaire

Principles of supervision

A student meets with their supervisor at a table

Within three months of the start of a PGRs registration, their supervisor(s) are expected to sign in Skillsforge that they have read 'Principles of supervision', summarising what is most essential to a successful supervisory relationship.

Principles of supervision

Quick start guides

Key links for SkillsForge Guidance Notes, TAP Guidance and Progression Forms can be found on the PGR supervisor web resources under the section PGR Supervision at the University of York (towards the bottom of the page).

View guides and forms

Additional Resources

The Researchers14 group has curated a variety of resources for Principle Investigator (PI) development, including a section on PGR Supervision, which can be accessed on the Researchers14 webpages.

Contact us

Next Generation Research SuperVision Project (RSVP)