# Supervisor Development

**Source**: https://warwick.ac.uk/services/dc/supervision/programme/
**Parent**: https://warwick.ac.uk/services/dc/schols_fund/staff_guidance/finance/

## ToolBox Session

These seminars are designed to support staff in supervisory roles at all stages of their career. Sessions are delivered mostly online with the occasional in person events.

The sessions are run by Professional Service staff who specialise in this area or by visiting guests who are working in or researching these topics.

## Community of Practice

Are “groups of people who share a concern or a passion for something they do and learn how to do it better as they interact regularly.” (Wenger)

The CoP sessions are run by Warwick supervisors with an interest to increase discussions around a particular topic.

Outcomes can include: tools, experiences, stories and ways of handling typical problems

## Booking

Complete [this form](https://warwick.ac.uk/services/dc/supervision/supervisorsupport) to book the session/s you are interested in.

You will receive either an online (Teams) meeting link or the location of the in-person training. Please accept the invite and add to you calendar.

[Printable Schedule of Supervisor Development events](https://warwick.ac.uk/services/dc/supervision/programme/supervisor_development_programme_2025-2026_printable.pdf)

## Starting strong: a programme for new research supervisors

Build core supervisory skills through workshops and structured reflection. A cohort based series offered by our partners at the [RSVP Project](https://www.rsvp.ac.uk/)More information on what the course covers, the dates and times can be [found hereLink opens in a new window](https://www.rsvp.ac.uk/new-supervisor-programme)

The deadline for applications is **Friday 13 March 2026**.

[APPLY HERE](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSefrO2SFbF5iDwKy-DvDLPmschOIGFCHxQAH8uPK2125dz3oA/viewform)

**Starting Strong**: The programme is targeted at Supervisors in the early stages of doctoral supervision, including those who:

● are or will soon be supervising a PhD candidate for the first time

● have recently joined a supervisory team

● are co-supervisors or have an ‘informal’ supervisory role within a supervisory team (e.g., postdoctoral and research staff, and research technical professionals)

The programme also supports the transition from initial induction into ongoing continuing professional development (CPD).

**Starting Strong: Practical Details**

The programme will include four two- hour on line sessions delivered between late April and mid-May 2026

The programme will:

● provide tools and resources that offer a practical foundation for supervisory practice

● create dedicated time for participants to reflect on their supervisory role alongside peers from other universities and disciplinary contexts

● build confidence in navigating expectations, boundaries, and relationships with candidates and co-supervisors

## Annual Programme: Session descriptions and dates

Basics of SupervisionPGR FundingActive Listening for supervisionYour PGR wants to teach. What next? Coaching & Mentoring for SupervisorsUnderstanding your PGRs wellbeingLeading with Integrity: Helping your PGR navigate the complexities of research ethics, integrity, misconduct and Questionable Research Practices PGR Wellbeing -signposts and support systems at WarwickHow to enhance your PGR's self efficacyExploring Supervisory Practices; Becoming a flexible supervisor Navigating UK Doctoral Supervision Supporting your PGRS who TeachOptions for PGRs struggling with progressSupporting PGRs with disabilitiesPreparing for ExaminationsTrauma informed Supervision: Equipping Supervisors to Support PGRs in Sensitive ResearchRace, Racism and Supporting PGRsReasonable AdjustmentsResearcher Development- supporting our PGRs holistic needsUniversity of Warwick Press: Reflection and Reconstruction?Sustainable Research practice

Basics of Supervision

Delivered by the Doctoral College team covering the basics on funding, extensions, temporary withdrawal, submission, upgrade and more. **22nd October 12.30-13.30 or 18th February 2026 12.30-13.30**

PGR Funding

Delivered by Dr Rebecca Vipond, CDT & PG Scholarships Coordination Manager in the Doctoral College. **4th November 13.00-14.00**

A discussion about key aspects to be aware of when a PGR you supervise is funded by a scholarship. Including:

- Who does what
- Types of scholarship
- Scholarship T&Cs
- Stipend - what, when, how much
- PGR Funding Policy - part time work, taking leave, funding period.
- Research Expenses - FinRegs, cost eligibility.
- Q&A

Active Listening for supervision

Active listening is listening to understand; and can enhance your supervisory practice. **11th November 10.00-11.00**

This form of listening conveys a mutual understanding between speaker and listener. Speakers receive confirmation their point is coming across and listeners absorb more content and understanding by being consciously engaged. The overall goal of active listening is to eliminate any misunderstandings and establish clear communication of thoughts and ideas between the speaker and listener.

This practical How To and Why session will help you uncover the skills of Active Listening and how to use it in your next supervision session. Please be prepared to engage with the exercises and practice.

Your PGR wants to teach. What next? 

Delivered by Sara Hattersley, Academic Development Centre. **Date TBC**

PGRs are frequently called upon to teach in departments and many have a GTA contract. This session looks at the context for teaching as a PGR, their identity as educators, some of the affordances and challenges this presents and the professional learning opportunities designed to support these early career colleagues in their teaching work.

Coaching & Mentoring for Supervisors

Coaching & Mentoring 101 in person session. **8th December 10.00-12.00 On Campus/ In Person**

Do you want to know how coaching and mentoring might support your supervisory practice? And how do the two differ? This practical session will guide you through the basics and introductory skills that you can readily adopt for your supervisory practice. Please be prepared to engage in some practical exercises, but you will not need to share or express any personal information.

Understanding your PGRs wellbeing

Has your PGR gone silent or seem less enthusiastic than normal? Are you worried that if you ask too many questions you might make things worse? This Psychologist and Warwick PhD alumni led session explores the signs that your PGR may be struggling, how and when to intervene and what you can do to help and when you may want to signpost to other support. This session will help build your confidence in recognising when your PGR might be struggling and discuss how to respond whilst protecting your own well being. **22nd January 16.00-17.00**

Leading with Integrity: Helping your PGR navigate the complexities of research ethics, integrity, misconduct and Questionable Research Practices 

Led by Rosie Bellamy, Head of Research Integrity and Quality Assurance, this session will allow you to get a full understanding of support available to you and your PGR with the opportunity to ask questions and advice. **27th January 12.30-13.30**

PGR Wellbeing -signposts and support systems at Warwick

30 minute session to signpost supervisors to support structures available across Warwick. February 24th 13.00-13.30

Delivered by Janet Winter, Wellbeing Adviser, Wellbeing and Student Support

How to enhance your PGR's self efficacy

We all want to support, build and develop independent autonomous PGR researchers. The session will help distinguish between academic support, personal support, and autonomy support in doctoral supervision. We will introduce the self-efficacy tool for use within the supervisory practice to promote and build autonomy and develop our PGRs' independence. 2nd March 13.00-14.00

Exploring Supervisory Practices; Becoming a flexible supervisor 

A chance to think and reflect upon our supervisory practices, and consider new approaches and adapt existing processes. Essential for when we have tried all our usual methods and nothing seems to be working, or for understanding and developing new ideas. 17th March 11.00-12.00

Navigating UK Doctoral Supervision

Community of Practice event: Learning to supervise in a Diverse Doctoral Community with International Perspectives: **18th March 14.00-15.00**

This one-hour online session draws on a recent [SRHE research](https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/ces/desresearch/dear/migrantsupervisors/) into migrant supervisors’ experiences to support supervisors in navigating UK doctoral supervision. We will explore three key areas: 1) demystifying UK doctoral norms and assessment milestones; 2) integrating prior international academic experience into supervision; and 3) navigating the research/teaching balance. By the end of the session, supervisors will take away practical strategies to strengthen inclusive and effective supervision practices in their own context. Delivered by [Dr Bing Lu](https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/arts/people/binglu/u1792560) The presentation will be followed by a Q&A

 Supporting your PGRS who Teach

Community of Practice session led by [Naomi Pullman](https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/arts/history/people/staff_index/pullin). Are your PGRs teaching or wanting to teach? What does this mean for their research, career and individual development? This session is an opportunity to discuss with your peers, identify any challenges, solutions and opportunities. **16th February 12.30-13.30**

Options for PGRs struggling with progress

Delivered by Rhiannon Martyn, Head of the Doctoral College **19th March 12.30-13.30 and 8th July 12.30-13.30**

For supervisors wanting to understand the options for supporting research students who are facing difficulties making adequate progress with their research – particularly (but not exclusively) between upgrade and final submission.

Supporting PGRs with disabilities

Delivered by Damien Homer, Head of Disability Services. **2nd April 12.30-13.30**

For supervisors wanting to understand how to support PhD students with disabilities.

Preparing for Examinations

Delivered by Stella Neophytou, Examinations Team in the Doctoral College. **27th April 12.00-13.00**

Learn about the examination process and how you can support your PGRs. The session will talk through the practicalities of the process, guidance and policies, and will follow with a Q&A

Trauma informed Supervision: Equipping Supervisors to Support PGRs in Sensitive Research

Delivered by Psychologist and Warwick Alumni, this session will equip you to best support your PGR when they are researching sensitive subject areas. **30th April 16.00-17.00**

Race, Racism and Supporting PGRs

Delivered by the 'Tackling Racial Inequality at Warwick' team, this session considers how racism impacts PGR experiences in the university, specifically the emotional impacts of racism on students of colour. In doing so, we will discuss how to support PGRs who experience racism, including resources available, and the role of supervisors and other staff in improving the journey for PGRs of colour.

May 6th 10.00-12.00

Reasonable Adjustments

Community of Practice event: Understanding current reasonable adjustments and mitigating circumstances policies, processes, and practices for PGR students, with a focus on doctoral assessment. The CoP session will allow for discussion on practices, challenges, tools and strategies.

Delivered by Dr Sarah Dahl and Dr James Burford (Education Studies) with reference to their recent [MADE](https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/ces/research/current/made/) research project 12th May 12.00-13.00

Researcher Development- supporting our PGRs holistic needs

Is it training, development or education? Part of their PhD or separate to it? This Community of Practice event explores results of the recent University Training Review, discusses the support for our PGRs and how it can support our supervisory practice. Delivered by Michele Underwood, Doctoral College **19th May 12.00-13.00**

University of Warwick Press: Reflection and Reconstruction?

In the wake of an explosion in not-for-profit, open access new university presses, conversations are underway to evolve UWP’s ambitions, operations and goals: among them challenging the Press’ relative invisibility among Warwick’s communities and what additional value it can offer to its host institution. Join Dr Gareth J Johnson for an informal and engaging exploration of the past, present and possible future of UWP

where you will have the chance ask questions and feed your insights into the Press’ strategic review considerations and deliberations.

Warwick founded a traditional 'academic publishing press' in the mid-1960s, an initiative eventually succeeded by the Library managed open access University of Warwick Press’ (UWP) over a decade ago. Today’s Press has evolved to support the publication of numerous academic journals, alongside a collection of books, reports and conference proceedings and is undergoing a year of reflection and reconstruction

Sustainable Research practice

This 60 minute session will talk you through Warwick’s commitment to the [Concordat for the Environmental Sustainability of Research and Innovation Practice](https://warwick.ac.uk/sustainability/research-/concordat/) and what this means to support & guide you; how the support can ensure all our colleagues ( and their PGRs) can carry out their research in a sustainable way, and how this links to funding applications, and innovating mindsets and decisions. Check [Sustainable Research practice](https://warwick.ac.uk/sustainability/research-/practice/) and [Research and Sustainability at Warwick](https://warwick.ac.uk/sustainability/research-/practice/)

15th July 13.00-14.00

A parallel session is being run for PGRs July 1st 13.00. They can book [here](https://skillsforge.warwick.ac.uk/warwick/#he/dev/eventDetails,;em,providerCode=RD,providerOrgAlias=warwick,number=2223,;)

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