Supervisor workshops : Graduate Research School : The University of Western Australia

Supervision Professional Development Program

The Graduate Research School runs a Professional Development Program for staff supervising postgraduate research students. The program supports the UWA Supervisor Register.

Online supervision modules
Supervision workshops for 2020
Past supervision workshops and seminars
Supervisor register

1. Online supervision modules

Supervisor Induction

The Supervisor Induction Module is designed for staff new to supervision of research students or more experienced supervisors new to supervision at UWA. Completion of an online form, confirming that you have read the Supervisor Induction Module, will satisfy the training and development requirements of the supervisor register for L1 supervisors.

In the module, links are provided to webpages and youTube videos. If you would like these links to open in a new window, you may need to change your Browser settings. In Google Chrome, if you hold down the CTRL button while clicking on the link, the link will open in a new window.

Supervisor Refresher

The Supervisor Refresher Module is designed for experienced supervisors of research students at UWA wanting to update their understanding of recent changes to rules and administrative processes. Completion of an online form, confirming that you have read the Supervisor Refresher Module, will satisfy the training and development requirements of the supervisor register for L2 and L3 supervisors. The form can be accessed from the final page of the module. Experienced supervisors will need to complete this module, or other form of professional development, at least once every four years.

2. GRS supervision workshops 2020

HDR Induction and Research Enculturation: The workshop aims to: 1) Provide an overview of the new GRS student induction processes; 2) Discuss the variations in student induction practices across faculties, schools and research groups at UWA; 3) Explore supervisor’s role in supporting student’s research enculturation, including understanding of UWA’s expectations as outlined in the Graduate Research Training Policy and the UWA Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research; and 4) Consider barriers to the induction and enculturation of HDR students (such as prior academic experience that conflicts with UWA’s expectations, external enrolment, part-time enrolment, caring responsibilities, disability) and how to overcome these barriers, including discussion of ‘reasonable accommodation’ of student needs.; Held FEB 20: Workshop materials here
Managing HDR Expectations, Responsibilities and Relationships: The workshop aims to: 1) Discuss the roles and responsibilities of candidates and supervisors at UWA; 2) Explore tools for the alignment of student-supervisor expectations over the course of the candidacy; and 3) Discuss productive and respectful relationships within supervisory teams and early identification and resolution of potential problems within these teams.; Postponed due to COVID19
Supporting HDR Students to Plan Research: The workshop aims to: 1) Discuss the role of supervisors and the GRS in supporting candidates plan their research; 2) Provide an overview of GRS management tools for research planning; 3) Discuss supervisor support for research ethics and integrity; and 4) Explore support for HDR students at UWA to communicate their research, including development of academic writing and presentation skills; Postponed due to COVID19
Wellbeing of HDR Students: The workshop aims to: 1) Discuss the wellbeing of HDR students and supervisors; 2) Describe UWA’s policies and guidelines regarding supervisory responsibilities and pastoral care, reporting and disclosure requirements and support services referral; 3) Consider the progress management of HDR students with wellbeing issues, including students who enter into their studies with mental health issues or develop mental health issues during the course of candidature; and 4) Consider ‘reasonable accommodation’ of HDR student requests for support.; Postponed to 2021: Resources available here
Developing HDR Students into Independent Researchers: The workshop aims to: 1) Examine the role of the coordinating supervisor, the supervisory team more generally, the GRS and the Careers Centre, in supporting HDR students to develop a personal development plan; 2) Explore the GRS Research Development Framework as a possible tool for career planning for HDR students at UWA; and 3) Discuss different supervisory approaches to developing independence in HDR students.; Held JUL 17: Workshop materials here
Golden Rules of Supervision: Supervision advice from the Dean of the Graduate Research School, Prof Imelda Whelehan.; Held AUG 6
Supporting the Academic Writing Development of HDR Students: The workshop aims to: 1) Examine the role of the supervisor in supporting HDR student’s academic writing development; 2) Explore strategies for delivery of constructive feedback; and 3) Support the identification of students who may need additional writing support, possibly through referral to StudySmarter or the GRS Graduate Education Officers, including details of DELNA testing.; Held AUG 14: Workshop materials here
Preparing HDR Students for Examination: The workshop aims to: ) Examine the UWA rules regarding the HDR examination at UWA, including the Viva Voce for PhD students; 2) Discuss the UWA rules and guidelines regarding formatting a UWA, including formatting a thesis a series of papers; 3) Discuss the Viva Voce process for PhD students at UWA, including support for students to prepare for their Viva; and 4) Explore the management of adverse examination and the role of supervisors in responding to examiner reports.; Register for NOV 13

3. Past GRS supervision workshops and seminars

Research Students and Mental Health Workshop NOV 2019. Information, advice and strategies on how to best deal with mental health issues that may arise in students.
Commercialisation and Intellectual Property Seminar NOV 2019. Understanding funding agreements that place obligations on students and supervisors in relation to intellectual property, publishing, confidentiality, indemnities and other matters.
Roles and Responsibilities of the Graduate Research Coordinator Workshop JUN 2019. Explored Roles and responsibilities of GRCs.
Finding the Right Student Seminar JUN 2019. Advice about HDR student selection.
Supervisory Relationships Workshop FEB 2019. Explored approaches and tools for the development of effective and respectful relationships between students and supervisors.
Thesis as a Series of Papers Seminar FEB 2019. Pros and cons of formatting a thesis as a series of papers.
Research Integrity Workshop OCT 2018. Explored issues linked with ethics, intellectual property, data management, conflicts of interest and research collaboration.
Industry Engagement Seminar OCT 2018. Addressed government requirements for increased industry engagement for doctoral students.
Building Resilience in Research Students Workshop JUN 2018. Explored strategies to develop resilience in students.
Research Proposal Seminar JUN 2018. Described and explored the function of research proposals, the new online submission process and how the GRS Board assesses the paperwork.
Bridging Cultural Divides in Supervision Workshop APR 2018. Explored cross-cultural communication within supervisory teams.
Adverse Reports in Examination Seminar APR 2018. Outlined adverse reports from examiners and how they are managed by the GRS Board.
Thesis Examination Seminar NOV 2017. Overview of the examination process at UWA, including recent changes to the submission process, nomination of examiners and conflicts of interest, examination and examiners views of problematic theses, and how to respond to examiner reports.
Academic Writing Support Workshop SEP 2017. Information about English language requirements at UWA, StudySmarter support, GRS development and training, and the use of editorial assistance policy.
Confirmation of Candidature Seminar JUL 2017. Described the function of candidature confirmation and how the GRS processes and assesses the paperwork.