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Supervision of doctoral researchers is the most challenging, rewarding and stimulating role available to academics. To be successful it requires skills and insights beyond expert subject knowledge and traditional lecturing prowess. It is also helped by engaging with a community of practice for mutual support. 

To support Sussex supervisors and examiners, the Doctoral School is holding a series of online workshops in May, June and July. The first three sessions will cover the supervision process from recruitment to post-viva, while the final one focusses on the examiner role.

Although the programme of four sessions will be repeated, participants are strongly encouraged to attend a full cycle rather than dipping in and out. This helps to build trust and a collaborative atmosphere. 

The sessions will be led by Prof Pam Denicolo, an extremely experienced supervisor and examiner who has run supervision workshops for institutions worldwide. She has served on the executive committees of numerous learned bodies concerned with doctoral education, established and run a Graduate School and advised/supported universities in setting up Doctoral Colleges. She will be joined in presenting some sessions by Dr Julie Reeves, an experienced researcher developer at Southampton. 

Sign up for the May, June or July course using the links below:

• Workshop 1: Developing Evolving Relationships
  This covers: recruitment and admissions; key features of supervision; responsibilities of principal and co and collaborative supervisors; responsibilities of doctoral researchers; establishing a strong team with a good working relationship; building and maintaining collaboration; culture shocks; avoiding and resolving conflict; developing expectations; widening the range of support; developing yourself.
  Click here to book your place via Sussex Direct
  
  
• Workshop 2: Supporting Progress through Feedback and Support
  This covers: progress over the doctoral journey; expectations for each year of the course; the purpose and the whys and hows of effective continuing feedback; warning signs; stages of formal feedback for progression; dealing with challenges and the unexpected; developing yourself.
  Click here to book your place via Sussex Direct
  
  
• Workshop 3: Supervising through the Final Stages and Beyond
  This covers: dealing with challenges; communicating expectations of doctorateness; supporting thesis writing; theoretical styles and originality; understanding requirements and regulations; preparing the researcher for the viva; potential outcomes and roles and responsibilities thereafter.
  Click here to book your place via Sussex Direct
  
  
• Workshop 4: Thriving through the Challenges of Doctoral Examining
  This covers: contextual similarities and differences in the final examination; selection and recruitment of examiners; assessing the written thesis – general regulations and content requirements; forms and functions of vivas; the UK viva process and procedures; topics and questions addressed in vivas; potential  outcomes and related role responsibilities; delivering the verdict to the researcher and to the university.
  Click here to book your place via Sussex Direct