Research Supervision

As a university, we recognise the importance of high-quality supervision for our students which is why we encourage the continued professional development of all our research supervisors.

From academic staff just getting started in research supervision through to those who have several successful PhD completions we have a variety of development opportunities.

Courses
In Summer we created a new format for our ‘Supervising Research Degrees’ course,aimed at staff who are new to research degree supervision at Edinburgh Napier and facilitated by Dr. Gráinne Barkess, Head of Researcher Development, and Associate Professor Calum Neill, Convenor of the University Research Degrees Committee.

The course consists of an Induction to Research Degree Supervision at Edinburgh Napier University followed by short workshops on various topics throughout the year to allow for supervisors’ continuing professional development. Those entirely new to supervision and those new to supervision at Edinburgh Napier must attend the induction before being eligible to start this work.

We also offer training for research degree examiners in the form of ‘Examining Research Degrees’ and ‘Exam Panel Chair Training’, both led by experienced facilitator Professor Chris Atton. Staff are required to undertake these two workshops prior to involvement in examination, and training must be refreshed every two years.

Induction days and workshops run throughout the year, so please keep an eye out for RIE advertisements. More information can also be found in the Researcher Development Programme. The next induction is scheduled for 13th-15th December, 2021. If you would like to book a place or find out more, please email RIEevents@napier.ac.uk.

Other development opportunities

We are also keen to help build a community of practice around supervision through informal forum meetings and mentoring of staff.