UKCGE Research Supervisors’ Network Meeting

“We’re delighted to be Co-Chairs of this network and build on the work of Professor Stan Taylor who has done immense work in supervisor development,” said Dr Palmer, adding that she and Professor Martin were planning to keep a community-led ethos for the group. With that in mind, the event started with breakout groups and the opportunity for people to network and fill in an online Padlet inviting comments on topics related to PGR supervision.

Following this, the Co-Chairs introduced the overall aims of the Network as follows:

• To provide a forum for all those involved in research supervision to share resources, expertise and experiences.
• To provide a forum for discussion and learning, enabling supervisors to support each other in enhancing their own practice. 
• To be open to all research supervisors, and all those involved in research supervision, operating with the national and international postgraduate community. 

Professor Martin outlined the intention to hold a series of town-hall meetings in the future, both to share best practice and identify issues which could be tackled collectively. Dr Palmer added: ​“We note that you’re coming from very different institutions so it’s important that we take that community-led approach. We want to understand your lived experiences – and we want to give you a voice.”

Following this, there was another breakout session in which participants were split into three groups to establish areas of focus for the Network. For the last ten minutes, participants were brought together once more and key individuals fed back on ​‘hot topics’, which ranged from setting-up mandatory training for supervisors to the time constraints which supervisors can face. The Co-Chairs emphasised their openness to ideas from participants, and with this in mind, the Padlet will be kept open so that people who were unable attend can add their own comments and requests.