Next Generation Research SuperVision Project
@next-gen-rsvp.bsky.social
A four-year project that aims to widen and diversify the pool of confident, trained supervisors able to support an inclusive culture and the next generation of researchers.
Conclusions from this series of focus groups related to the supervisor's opinions, reflections, and recommendations, for improving supervision culture. Participants discussed positive CPD experiences, identified poor supervision practices, and cited the value of peer support and relationality (7/7)
March 28, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Conclusions from this series of focus groups related to the supervisor's opinions, reflections, and recommendations, for improving supervision culture. Participants discussed positive CPD experiences, identified poor supervision practices, and cited the value of peer support and relationality (7/7)
Our focus group findings aligned well with those from the 2024 iteration of the UK Research Supervision Survey, especially reported time allocation and workload issues, increases in team supervision participation, and a desire for peer mentoring to be supported by institutions. (6/7)
March 28, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Our focus group findings aligned well with those from the 2024 iteration of the UK Research Supervision Survey, especially reported time allocation and workload issues, increases in team supervision participation, and a desire for peer mentoring to be supported by institutions. (6/7)
These focus groups provided a wealth of information on the types of supervision training and development that our participants received and, crucially, the approaches they found most effective. Those they valued most focused on institutional rules and regulations, EDI, and management skills (5/7)
March 28, 2025 at 10:14 AM
These focus groups provided a wealth of information on the types of supervision training and development that our participants received and, crucially, the approaches they found most effective. Those they valued most focused on institutional rules and regulations, EDI, and management skills (5/7)
Team supervision was highlighted as a particularly beneficial approach, though definitions of what constitutes a "team" and the roles of team members differed by discipline. Positive aspects of team supervision included increased opportunities for interdisciplinarity, and division of labour (4/7)
March 28, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Team supervision was highlighted as a particularly beneficial approach, though definitions of what constitutes a "team" and the roles of team members differed by discipline. Positive aspects of team supervision included increased opportunities for interdisciplinarity, and division of labour (4/7)
Participants were asked questions about both supervision practice and skills and professional development, and we subsequently identified ten common discussion themes within the focus groups-- including communication, mentorship, adaptive supervision, and experiential learning. (3/7)
March 28, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Participants were asked questions about both supervision practice and skills and professional development, and we subsequently identified ten common discussion themes within the focus groups-- including communication, mentorship, adaptive supervision, and experiential learning. (3/7)
The participants we recruited ranged from postdocs to emeritus professors, and the 25 FGs were intended to help us explore questions about their experiences with and opinions of team supervision, poor supervisory practice, diverse research degrees, and disciplinary differences in supervision (2/7)
March 28, 2025 at 10:14 AM
The participants we recruited ranged from postdocs to emeritus professors, and the 25 FGs were intended to help us explore questions about their experiences with and opinions of team supervision, poor supervisory practice, diverse research degrees, and disciplinary differences in supervision (2/7)
Later at 11:30 we'll hear from RSVP's own Liz Quinlan, discussing results from our cross-institutional focus groups conducted with academic supervisors, covering supervision models, poor supervision practice, and disciplinary and degree differences in supervising. Check back here for highlights!
March 28, 2025 at 7:35 AM
Later at 11:30 we'll hear from RSVP's own Liz Quinlan, discussing results from our cross-institutional focus groups conducted with academic supervisors, covering supervision models, poor supervision practice, and disciplinary and degree differences in supervising. Check back here for highlights!
Iyer finishes by describing a model for an effective intergenerational supervisory process, which must involve mutual respect, work to dismantle existing power structures, utilize consistent and clear communication (even via meme format!), and consider multiperspectivity.
March 27, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Iyer finishes by describing a model for an effective intergenerational supervisory process, which must involve mutual respect, work to dismantle existing power structures, utilize consistent and clear communication (even via meme format!), and consider multiperspectivity.
Example given of the supervisee using memes to communicate their thoughts and needs within the supervision process, part of an informal communication style that benefited both within the supervisory partnership.
March 27, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Example given of the supervisee using memes to communicate their thoughts and needs within the supervision process, part of an informal communication style that benefited both within the supervisory partnership.
Sub-themes that were identified as influencing both the processes of the supervisor and the supervisee's experience included familiarity with digital landscapes and tools, birth order, egalitarianism, supported autonomous learning, forms of feedback, and informality/formality in difference spaces.
March 27, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Sub-themes that were identified as influencing both the processes of the supervisor and the supervisee's experience included familiarity with digital landscapes and tools, birth order, egalitarianism, supported autonomous learning, forms of feedback, and informality/formality in difference spaces.
The study they conducted was an autoethnographic, qualitative and interpretative study investigating how intergenerational supervision is articulated between a Gen Y supervisor and Gen Z supervisee. Findings illustrated differences in identity, power dynamics, and communications.
March 27, 2025 at 3:18 PM
The study they conducted was an autoethnographic, qualitative and interpretative study investigating how intergenerational supervision is articulated between a Gen Y supervisor and Gen Z supervisee. Findings illustrated differences in identity, power dynamics, and communications.
The final presentation we have is from Dr. Leevina Iyer, discussing the experiences of Gen Y/Millennial supervisors in supervising Gen Z students. This concept of intergeneration supervision is a complex process, with age groups that are stereotyped in the popular consciousness.
March 27, 2025 at 3:18 PM
The final presentation we have is from Dr. Leevina Iyer, discussing the experiences of Gen Y/Millennial supervisors in supervising Gen Z students. This concept of intergeneration supervision is a complex process, with age groups that are stereotyped in the popular consciousness.
He asks us to rethink supervision not just as a requirement, but as an opportunity for transformation that is well located within the higher education transformation agenda for both the mentor and the mentee. He hopes that mentality this can be developed further within the HE space in South Africa.
March 27, 2025 at 3:03 PM
He asks us to rethink supervision not just as a requirement, but as an opportunity for transformation that is well located within the higher education transformation agenda for both the mentor and the mentee. He hopes that mentality this can be developed further within the HE space in South Africa.
Tabe's conclusions were that supervisors must not simply be a skilled expert but also a "More Knowledgeable Other" who can not only provide academic mentorship but also model professional and ethical values, which in turn influence the student's later approaches in their own academic career.
March 27, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Tabe's conclusions were that supervisors must not simply be a skilled expert but also a "More Knowledgeable Other" who can not only provide academic mentorship but also model professional and ethical values, which in turn influence the student's later approaches in their own academic career.
Challenges to effective supervision build upon themselves-- power imbalances, stress, poor feedback can all result in failure. Tabe analysed self-reflective data from his thesis experience, and identified 2 themes -- student-supervisor relationship and institutional barriers and functionality.
March 27, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Challenges to effective supervision build upon themselves-- power imbalances, stress, poor feedback can all result in failure. Tabe analysed self-reflective data from his thesis experience, and identified 2 themes -- student-supervisor relationship and institutional barriers and functionality.
We must expand our view of the role of academic supervision to filly appreciate it's value-- it is a catalyst for the personal career development of a supervisor as well as the development of a student. Tabe cites DiPaola & Wagner, suggesting supervision is a "professional socialization process".
March 27, 2025 at 2:55 PM
We must expand our view of the role of academic supervision to filly appreciate it's value-- it is a catalyst for the personal career development of a supervisor as well as the development of a student. Tabe cites DiPaola & Wagner, suggesting supervision is a "professional socialization process".
Tabe states that supervision is often seen as a structured process of guiding students through research-- but what if we view it as something more transformative, shaping the supervisor as well? A space where curiosity is nurtured, struggles are met with encouragement, and growth is multifaceted?
March 27, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Tabe states that supervision is often seen as a structured process of guiding students through research-- but what if we view it as something more transformative, shaping the supervisor as well? A space where curiosity is nurtured, struggles are met with encouragement, and growth is multifaceted?
Next we hear from Dr. Hennades Tabe, who is discussing his own self reflections on the role of academic supervision in shaping relationships and enhancing professional growth. He encourages us to engage in some self reflection as we listen to his presentation today.
March 27, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Next we hear from Dr. Hennades Tabe, who is discussing his own self reflections on the role of academic supervision in shaping relationships and enhancing professional growth. He encourages us to engage in some self reflection as we listen to his presentation today.
Spronken-Smith concludes that the Tool can help candidates build a conscious awareness of the people and services that support their journey, and the next steps of the project are to make the tool publicly available for testing and solicit feedback from a wide variety of universities and contexts.
March 27, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Spronken-Smith concludes that the Tool can help candidates build a conscious awareness of the people and services that support their journey, and the next steps of the project are to make the tool publicly available for testing and solicit feedback from a wide variety of universities and contexts.
Students who were surveyed after using the Village Formation Tool and associated resources overwhelming found the tool useful, with one commenting that the tool not only helped them to consider how they can improve their existing relationships, but reminded them not to take them for granted.
March 27, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Students who were surveyed after using the Village Formation Tool and associated resources overwhelming found the tool useful, with one commenting that the tool not only helped them to consider how they can improve their existing relationships, but reminded them not to take them for granted.
The tool they developed is a series of writing and mapping exercises that asks students to consider the people and places that surround them at the beginning of their research, the tools they have access to, and the evolution that will likely happen as their temporary village expands and contracts.
March 27, 2025 at 2:42 PM
The tool they developed is a series of writing and mapping exercises that asks students to consider the people and places that surround them at the beginning of their research, the tools they have access to, and the evolution that will likely happen as their temporary village expands and contracts.