Doctoral Supervision Dilemmas & Resolutions and Challenges of Doctoral Examining

June 10, 2015

SRHE are have organised two events, Doctoral Supervision Dilemmas & Resolutions and Challenges of Doctoral Examining, back to back in case it would be helpful to attend both.

Doctoral Supervision Dilemmas & Resolutions – 09:30-12:30

This workshop is provided as a forum for experienced, new and aspiring doctoral supervisors to  share best practice as well as any reservations/trepidations/triumphs/joys they have in relation to the dilemmas and challenges that arise when supervising doctoral candidates.

To give the day structure the workshop will take the form of a guided tour of the process and procedures of the doctoral process, from recruitment through support and training to the viva and finally completion, using a range of case studies and vignettes drawn from our experience and that of our colleagues across the sector to raise issues and aid discussion.

However, presentations by the organisers will be kept to a minimum since the main discussion points will be determined by the participants who are invited, if they wish, to send in advance any particular dilemmas or challenges they have faced or heard of, that they would like to have aired and debated. Some of those might include but are not restricted to: different expectations between supervisors and doc researchers; working with co-supervisors with different viewpoints; ethical challenges; candidates unable to cope with the work; ensuring on-time completions; making the process humane and survivable, nay enjoyable for all parties. Where possible we will, with enough notice, turn these into case studies written to disguise origins!

More information here.

Challenges of Doctoral Examining – 13:30-16:30

Professor Pam Denicolo and Drs Dawn Duke and Julie Reeves

This workshop is provided as a forum for experienced, new and aspiring doctoral examiners to  share best practice as well as any reservations/trepidations/caveats and success stories they have in relation to the challenges that arise when examining doctoral theses and candidates.

To give the day structure the workshop will take the form of a guided tour of the process and procedures of assessment at doctoral level, including the confirmation/ upgrading process, examining the thesis and the viva process, using a range of case studies and vignettes drawn from our experience and that of others of some challenging situations to raise issues and aid discussion.

However, presentations by the organisers will be kept to a minimum since the main discussion points will be determined by the participants who are invited, if they wish, to send in advance any particular facets, or anonymised challenges they have faced or heard of, that they would like to have aired. Some of those might include but are not restricted to: different expectations in different institutions; chairing and internal/external roles; working with co-examiners with different viewpoints; interference by supervisors; candidates unable to cope with the tension; making the process humane. Where possible we will, with enough notice, turn these into case studies written to disguise origins!

More information here.