Exploring Supervision Program

The Exploring Supervision program (formerly the Effective Supervision program) provides professional development for HDR supervisors. Each semester we present a series of three interactive workshops, together with a range of tools, techniques and resources, covering key topics in HDR supervision.

You can come to all or any of our workshops, and you can work your way through our other resources at your leisure. Its all free (to University of Adelaide researchers at least)!

And if you are looking to qualify as a principal HDR supervisor, you can enrol for the full module of the program. This may require you to also attend an HDR Supervisor Induction workshop.

QUICK LINKS:    WORKSHOP TIMETABLE & REGISTRATION   |   THE FULL MODULE  |  SUPERVISOR INDUCTION  |  CONTACT US  

Why do HDR supervisors need professional development?

What happens at workshops?

Who can attend workshops - only current HDR supervisors?

When and where are workshops held?

Are there alternatives to the face-to-face sessions?

Will I qualify as a Principal HDR Supervisor?

How do I register for workshops?

Can I have a tailored program for my School / Discipline / Faculty? 

Why do HDR supervisors need professional development?
Research student supervision in the modern university system is a complex and demanding task. HDR supervisors need to take a pro-active approach to their professional development, seeking to consolidate their knowledge of the relevant policy, practice and research, and to extend the range of strategies and techniques they are able to utilise effectively in their day-to-day practice.

What happens at workshops?
Our workshops are interactive events. We work with you to identify your key issues and challenges, and to put you in touch with the latest research and best practice techniques. We get you to do quite a lot of small group work, where you share your experiences with colleagues, work through case studies and identify possible means of improving your supervisory practice. (To help this process along we have lots of real coffee and nice tea on hand.) 


Who can attend workshops - only current HDR supervisors?
The program is primarily directed at researchers who are currently supervising research students or who are intending to do so in the near future. However, any member of the research community is welcome to attend. For example, those in administrative and management positions requiring an understanding of supervision issues may well benefit from, and may be able to make significant contributions to, our workshops. Please contact us if you would like to discuss the suitability of the program for you.

When and where are workshops held?
In 2009 we are again offering our regular face-to-face workshop sessions in both Semester 1 and Semester 2.  This year all sessions will be held on Wednesday afternoons. For full date and venue information see our program details here.

All face-to-face sessions are held in the seminar room of the Adelaide Graduate Centre, which is on Level 6, 115 Grenfell St. You can find us using this map.

Are there alternatives to the face-to-face program?
Staff wishing to do the program who are absolutely unable to participate in the face-to-face sessions MAY in some circumstances be able to undertake the program asynchronously. Please contact us to discuss this possibility.

Will I qualify as a principal HDR supervisor?
With the approval of their Head of School, staff can elect to enrol in the 'full module' of the Exploring Supervision program. Satisfactory completion of the full program leads to registration as a principal HDR supervisor. 

The full program involves:

• attending and contributing to all three face-to-face sessions;
• compiling a journal, containing observations, reflections etc. related to supervision, through the semester;
• completing some online assignment work, evaluating tools, resources, methods etc.;
• undertaking a short research project in the field of researcher education and development, to be either reported on at a School/Discipline seminar, or published as a multi-media 'virtual' presentation.

Further details on requirements for the full module of the Exploring Supervision program can be found here.

And download the Head of School approval form here.

Read more here about the Exploring Supervision program and supervisor status.

How do I register for workshops?
Just follow the links on the Workshop Schedule page. Or go to the ITS training course catalogue, and locate the Exploring Supervision Program under Researcher Education & Development. In order to enrol on-line you will need a University of Adelaide user ID and password. If you do not have log-on privileges but are still eligible to undertake the program, we will register you manually. If you have any difficulties accessing or submitting this form please let us know.

Can I have a tailored program for my School / Discipline / Faculty?
In addition to our regular program, we may be able to offer supervisor workshops tailored to the needs of your particular Discipline or School. Please contact us if you are interested in discussing options for Discipline/School specific programs.

Contact us
The Exploring Supervision program for 2009 is coordinated by Ian Green and Cally Guerin. Please contact us to discuss any aspect of the program.