Offering comprehensive and flexible training, the new edition of Supervising Doctoral Studies will equip both new and experienced supervisors with the tools to effectively support doctoral candidates in becoming independent researchers. By addressing emerging developments in the field, the course will enable supervisors to confidently navigate both academic and non-academic responsibilities. 

As higher education continues to evolve - particularly with the developments in GenAI - we are updating the course to ensure it reflects current challenges and delivers relevant, future-focused learning. The collaborative process during the workshop , helps us to further refine and shape the course ensuring it meets the requirements of learners around the world. 
 
On reflecting on the workshop, Commissioning Editor Beth Summers shares: 

Collaboration is central to developing impactful training and our Supervising Doctoral Studies workshop enabled us to gain insights and feedback from a wide range of partners. Our new edition will feature two new modules, one covering inclusive supervision and the other generative AI. When handling nuanced, complex topics such as these, it is so valuable to hear from a range of perspectives and to continue to sense-check our direction of travel. These workshops gave us a wonderful opportunity to do exactly that. A huge thank you to everyone who was able to attend and share their perspectives and expertise with us.  

 
What did workshop participants think of the sessions? 

 
“Thank you for getting our voices heard.”  

 – Anonymous 

“Attending the workshop was very beneficial, as it provided me with opportunities to discuss with colleagues, learn about their practices at other institutions, and deepen my own knowledge on different aspects of supervising doctoral studies.”  

 – Anonymous 

“Loved the engagement, interactions and the diversity of the research expertise involved in the workshop discussions. Well done to all the Epigeum team for a collaborative, diverse discussion in enhancing the doctoral supervisor journey.”   

– Ruth Moran, Atlantic Technological University, Research Training Coordinator  

 
What happens next  

Following feedback from our partners and contributors, we will be introducing these updates in the third edition: 

• Revisions to existing modules to align with framework, policy and attitudinal developments
• Streamlining existing modules to prioritise core learning and reduce overall learning time
• Addition of critical content in emerging topic areas: Generative AI and Inclusive Supervision
• Improvements to navigation and accessibility 
• Inclusion of new reporting capabilities in the form of efficacy surveys in each module
• Monitor usage, engagement and efficacy of the program with our built-in reporting tools 

 
Our collaborative workshops in partnership with universities truly help to shape course content. These sessions offer an opportunity to share insights, raise concerns and suggest improvements to refine content before publication. This feedback will be incorporated into our editorial process to ensure the programme delivers impactful content for learners.