Enhancing the Doctoral Experience: A Guide for Supervisors and their International Students

by Steve Hutchinson, Helen Lawrence, Dave Filipović-Carter

Overview

One of the major intangible benefits associated with the postgraduate research experience is precisely that: the experience. For many doctoral students that experience is shaped by their relationship with and support from their supervisor. Against a challenging background of growing numbers of students but also increasing pressures on time and costs, Enhancing the Doctoral Experience offers an approach to improve the effectiveness of the doctoral student and increase the professionalization of research supervision. It does so by providing both with an awareness of, and a toolkit to approach, student diversity.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781472401694
Publisher:	Ashgate Publishing Ltd
Publication date:	11/28/2014
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

An academic zoologist, Dr Steve Hutchinson moved to staff and research development and led programmes and units at the Universities of York and Leeds. He is now an independent consultant and works internationally to provide development, training and coaching in the education, research and not-for-profit sectors. After completing a PhD in sociolinguistics, Dr Helen Lawrence worked in the higher education sector for a number of years. Now established as an independent development consultant, she works with individuals, teams and institutions in the research, education, small business and not-for-profit sectors. During his PhD in public international law, Dr Dave Filipović-Carter first became involved in team development training alongside his teaching. This training work took him to live and work variously in Bulgaria, Hungary, Macedonia and Serbia. Now based in the UK, he runs his own higher education training company delivering skills training and facilitation to researchers at all levels, throughout the UK and the wider Europe. He is also an associate lecturer in law at the Open University.

Table of Contents

Contents: Preface; Introducing the UK doctorate in a global context; Doctoral descriptors within the UK framework; Doctoral motivations; Doctoral expectations; Starting the relationship and beginning the journey; Building the relationship; Laying firm intellectual foundations; Scholarly construction; Making an intellectual contribution; Sophisticated thinking; Spreading the message; Onwards and outwards; Fit for purpose? Preparing the candidate for their viva; Final thoughts; References and literature cited; Index.

Editorial Reviews

’This is a practical yet scholarly treatment in support of a vital but underrated academic relationship - that of doctoral supervisor and student. Although focussed on the needs of international students, its sage advice and helpful suggestions are more generally applicable. I wish I had been able to access such material when starting off as a new academic; I anticipate transformational effects when put into practice.’ Tom McLeish, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Research), Durham University, UK ’... an excellent, thoughtfully-produced pragmatic guide to the very fine and complicated art of doctoral supervision across cultures. Its focus on each and every conceivable aspect of the production of a thesis, in particular, is invaluable. I am sure that I will be returning to Enhancing the Doctoral Experience frequently in years to come for advice and tips on making the PhD process a successful and mutually beneficial endeavour. Recommended.’ LSE Review of Books, January 2015

From the Publisher