BUP Supervisor Collegium Training 2024

Within The Baltic University Programme’s (BUP) Supervisor Collegium, 16 colleagues participated in an in-person training held at Uppsala University between 21-22 May. The training, a continuation of an online seminar series, focused on issues of supervision, in particular doctoral supervision. This training represented a relatively new focus for the BUP in investigating supervisionary pedagogies with a view to more sustainable education practices and skills across the region. A focus on supervision compliments strongly the BUP’s commitment to supporting teachers across the Baltic Sea Region, especially with reference to the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), of Quality Education. More information about BUP for Teachers.

Program

The program was designed to offer a broad but focused presentation regarding various elements of supervision, supervision techniques, and educational pedagogies. Some of the sessions were a direct follow-up to those discussed online, whilst some were additional topics. At the centre of the program, was collaboration. All BUP events promote and foster networking, cooperation and internationalisation, and this was the case here, with clear emphasis placed on workshops, discussions, and practical exercises as well as how participants and the BUP can collaborate in the future.

The program included five different sessions;

Scientific communication

Led by Helena Lindqvist and Cesar Pay Gomez, Uppsala University.

Co-supervision

Led by Cecilia Almlöv, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences.

Communication and coaching

Led by Anna Westin, Uppsala University.

Evaluation practices

Led by Maja Elmgren, Uppsala University.

Future collaboration and activities

Led by Madeleine Granvik and Evan Goss, The Baltic University Programme.

Participants at the BUP Supervisor Training in-person event in Uppsala. Photo: Evan Goss

Evaluation Master Thesis Training

The evaluation was sent out at the conclusion of the training and it was completed by 9 of the participants. There were many positives mentioned, especially in reference to the sessions included in the program. A selection of views can be found below.

Quotes from the evaluation

"The session on coaching. I did not know much about coaching before and the facilitator was excellent."

"It was very nice and inspiring. I liked the mode of presentation and the recommendations for speaking and listening are of great importance not only for PhD supervision."

"It stimulated for continuing cooperation. Liked the collaboration board with ideas."

"I now have lots of things to share with my colleagues at home, so that not only my supervising practice will improve."

"Important knowledge in dealing with supervision and a good team dynamic."

"Ideas how to organise student-centered PhD education."

"I will share this experience with my PhD students within Academic Writing."

Potential improvements

The BUP is always looking to improve our events and activities; therefore, we welcome all feedback and actively incorporate this for the future. This is of particular importance here, as this remains a new topic for the BUP, and especially considering future cooperation activities within the Supervisor Collegium.

Participants would have liked more discussion time to build on what they learned in the sessions. Moreover, dedicating more time to the session on future opportunities and collaboration would have also been appreciated. Participants would have liked the time to be able to share their own links, organisation and courses. Inviting and hosting international experts would also be welcomed, for greater best-practice sharing and collaboration.

Organiser voice

"We were overwhelmed by the great interest when we announced the training, more than 230 colleagues registered! We have learned that at several of the BUP participating universities, courses in supervision do not exist. The BUP has a role to play by offering courses on how to become a good supervisor. The mix of online sessions covering among other topics the relationship between supervisor and supervisee, productive learning, co-supervision, and the final in-person meeting with workshops on scientific communication, evaluation practices, and communication and coaching, worked very well and was much appreciated. We are eager to follow up on the training and together with the colleagues who attended it, decide on what next step to take."

Results of the event

Participants gave a rating of 9.4/10 in response to the question of to what extent the training had been worthwhile in attending in terms of supervision skills, future aspirations, and career.

Ensuring and promoting sustainable lifelong learning is also a key aim of the BUP. Therefore, it was pleasing to hear from participants about the effects of the training on their career, supervision, and teaching.

As a result of the training, especially at the last workshop, there was a discussion on further needs, ideas for networking, and concrete activities. Several suggestions were raised to meet annually in the BUP Supervisor Collegium to discuss academic ethics, time management, stress management, leadership, promotion, sharing lessons to be learned, cross-country learning, and having a writing retreat for funding.

Participant evaluations

The participants rated their expectations before the event at 8.5/10.
Participants gave the event an overall 9.7/10 rating.
Communication between the BUP staff and participants was rated highly, both before the event, 10/10, and at the event, 10/10.
Both the accommodation, 9/10, and food, 9.3/10, were rated high.

All overall ratings were made on a scale from 1 to 10, where 1 is considered negative and 10 considered positive.

Voices of participants

Stefan Reinsch - Participant from Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane (MHB)

I currently supervise eight PhD students, some formally and some informally, and all in different stages of their PhD. The diversity of roles and needs can become overwhelming at times. Before I took part in the BUP Supervisor Collegium Training I expected to learn ways to deal with these diverse roles and needs.

The series was a mix of moments to reflect on my experiences and practices, situate them in the theoretical literature, and get ideas from colleagues how to develop my own style as a supervisor.

As a result of taking part, I have now started discussing my supervision style with my PhD students more openly. This might be a sign that I became more confident and open to adapt to specific needs of the students over the course of the program.

Alena Kasparkova - Participant from VSB – Technical University of Ostrava

I already had some idea of what the in-person BUP Supervisor Collegium Training would be about based on the online course and meetings we had had earlier during the year. These were highly interesting and valuable. We have no structured supervisor training in my country, so I was really interested in exploring the topics both in the course and in person in Uppsala.

Besides the workshops, the best part was the opportunity for networking – to have the chance not only to meet colleagues from other European universities, but to talk to them about their experience with setting up supervisor training, doctoral training, or even doctoral schools.

From the event I am taking with me an overview of different approaches to doctoral assessment, for example, and what impact the assessment may have on the many other aspects of doctoral education. Moreover, I have a few more contacts, i.e. people I can go to for ideas and inspiration. Overall, it was a great opportunity for mutual learning.

Sze Yin Kwok - Participant from Blekinge Institute of Technology

Before attending, I wanted to learn more about PhD student supervision in general and to connect with academics from the Baltic Sea Region.

The best part of the training was the opportunity to learn from various experts about different aspects of PhD student supervision. The knowledge exchange between academics from different countries and academic fields on this topic was invaluable. While the online sessions were well-scheduled and easily accessible, the in-person training in Uppsala offered a uniquely enriching experience, allowing for undivided attention and immersive participation.

I will take with me an expanded knowledge of the theoretical foundations for PhD student supervision and valuable insights from case studies. The in-depth discussions across disciplines and regions prompted me to reflect, from a broader perspective, on the meaning of scholarship, what is required for a student to get a PhD, and the various possible paths to achieve this goal. I am also grateful for the professional connections and friendships made during the event. I look forward to future collaborations!