Tara Brabazon podcast

What constitutes a poor supervisor? Discover the telltale signs and how to spot them early in a student's journey. The conversation highlights the confusion faced by PhD candidates when navigating ineffective guidance. An emphasis is placed on the crucial role of graduate centres in fostering a supportive atmosphere. The speakers share insights on the evolving responsibilities of graduate administrators in selecting competent examiners. Personal anecdotes add depth to the exploration of challenging supervisory landscapes in academia.

Doctoral students own their own work, so when should a supervisor add their name to a publication? Steve Redhead and Tara Brabazon enter this incredibly controversial area. Who owns a PhD student's publications?

Why do PhD students and supervisors have to fill in so many (damn) forms? How can we transform regulation into a positive outcome for the candidate and the candidature? Steve Redhead and Tara Brabazon explore the reason for forms and how they can enable progress, rather than deflect attention from the project.

How important is a co-supervisor? How are conflicts managed between supervisors and students? Steve Redhead and Tara Brabazon explore the strengths and profound challenges that emerge between supervisors. The creation of a harmonious supervisory team is a gift. When this relationship turns sour, then it can be debilitating for the student.

Discover the secrets behind successful PhD supervisory meetings, emphasizing the importance of clear expectations and preparation. Learn how constructive feedback and respectful communication can enhance student engagement. Explore innovative approaches to make meetings more effective and enjoyable, fostering collaboration and support. The discussion highlights the joy that can emerge from effective supervision, showing how laughter and mutual inspiration can elevate the academic experience.

The core challenge for PhD candidature management is negotiating the student and supervisor relationship. There are ways to ensure that it is a healthy and productive partnership, but it requires work, consciousness and - frequently - regulation. Steve Redhead and Tara Brabazon explore how the health of a student and supervisor relationship can be strengthened.

Are there benefits of a 'celebrity professor' as a PhD supervisor? Steve Redhead and Tara Brabazon discuss the benefits and challenges in choosing 'a name' rather than a portfolio of expertise.

Delve into the complexities of selecting PhD candidates and the crucial role of understanding their motivations. Discussions highlight the need to combat biases and embrace diversity in recruitment processes. The importance of viewing candidates holistically is emphasized, promoting a respectful and mutually beneficial selection approach. The dynamics of supervision are also examined, advocating for equitable treatment of candidates across various dimensions, including age and gender. This engaging dialogue sheds light on fostering a more inclusive academic environment.

How do prospective PhD students locate the perfect supervisor? How do supervisors attract the best students? Steve Redhead and Tara Brabazon continue their series on how to supervise PhDs. This episode explores how to find a good supervisor and build that great supervisory relationship.

Tara Brabazon and Steve Redhead introduce their ten part series on how to supervise a PhD. In this first session, Tara and Steve talk about the 'crisis' in doctoral education generally and supervision in particular, and the necessity for an intervention in current processes and practices.