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Graduate researchers and their supervisors play a key role in expanding LTU’s world-leading research. The RED Team has refreshed the supervisor development options available to you to ensure that supervisors continue to receive relevant, up-to-date training and are well-informed about how to provide the best opportunities for their graduate researchers to succeed.
We know that supervisors bring extensive knowledge to their role and are universally short of time. Recognising this, we have reorganised our suite of supervisor development activities to include a new self-paced module and shorter, more focused discussions and workshops. Read more about these changes, below.
What's new?
Online module: Graduate research supervision at La Trobe
Whether you are new to supervision, or new to La Trobe, all supervisors must complete this module as a condition of registration for graduate research supervision. In an engaging, interactive format, we’ll lead you through the specific responsibilities of LTU supervisors and make sure you know who is here to help you navigate the joys and challenges of graduate supervision. The module is online, accessed via My Knowledge Nest.
Welcome to research supervision at LTU (2 hours)
We welcome graduate research supervisors into a supportive community of researchers at LTU who are focused on doing the job well and have lots of valuable experience to share. Whether you are new to supervision or new to La Trobe, this session is designed to help you find your footing in the context of this university. Yes, we’ll cover off on some of the policy and requirements; but equally importantly, you’ll meet colleagues and start building a supportive peer network to aid in the rewarding and challenging work of research supervision.
New look enhancing supervision series (1 hour per workshop)
This series of bite-sized interactive lunchtime sessions is designed for both new and experienced graduate research supervisors. Participants are invited to share their knowledge, questions and insights as we work our way through the key issues facing supervisors today. Topics include:
- Establishing effective supervision relationships
- Negotiating expectations
- Communicating with clarity
- Getting the most out of team supervision
- Developing research writers
- Providing constructive, actionable feedback
- Completing the project: planning for the final year
- Thinking beyond this project: post-degree employment
You are invited to register for all sessions or join only those that suit your schedule or particular interests. Bring your lunch and join the stimulating conversation!
Supervision Forum (1 hour)
Each semester we hold a lunchtime forum for supervisors to share ideas and insights into good supervision practices with those who are grappling with the same concerns as you are. We focus on current hot topics in research supervision, including updates on what’s going on in other universities and what recent research into doctoral education has revealed. We also draw on the experience and insights of other La Trobe supervisors who understand how this plays out in our local context.
Managing graduate research progress (2 hours)
This session focuses on the evergreen topic of how to keep graduate researchers on track – or how to get them back on track if a milestone review indicates that a project is at risk of running over time. What are our obligations and responsibilities? How can the policies and procedures help navigate tricky situations? Invaluable for Progress Committee Chairs, this session is open to all supervisors.
For more information and to register, please visit the RED workshops and seminars page.