Shapes of Doctoral Supervision: A practitioner enquiry to explore elements of co-supervision

As a new(ish) doctoral supervisor, understanding my role has become increasingly important. Questions about my role in supervision, such as am I doing enough, is what I am doing good enough, and where do I fit in within a co-supervisory team, have led to a sense of supervisory schizophrenia. Despite this, and through my engagement with a community of practice (CoP), I have been provided with a pedagogical space to re-consider and re-cognize my supervisory role.

This presentation reflects on my developing supervisory self as I share the different ‘shapes’ of this identity with a particular focus on the co-supervisor relationship. Using Lee’s (2011) questionnaire about successful supervision, and in collaboration with my supervisory colleagues, I aim to share some of my reflections and explorations into whether or not the overlapping priorities of the supervisory team provide the doctoral candidate with a good enough experience.