
The Graduate Supervisors Handbook
Description
This book is a practical, globally oriented guide for faculty navigating the complexities of graduate supervision. It reframes supervision as a pedagogical practice requiring intentionality, structure, and care. Covering both foundational principles and advanced challenges, the book offers strategies for planning, communication, feedback, conflict resolution, and fostering autonomy. It addresses pressing issues such as student well-being, support, and career development beyond academia.
Readers will find tools, templates, and case studies that translate theory into actionable practice. Special features include reflection activities, and planning frameworks adaptable across disciplines and cultural contexts. By integrating global perspectives with practical guidance, this book equips supervisors to lead with integrity and creativity in shaping the next generation of scholars and professionals.
The book empowers supervisors to transform graduate supervision into an intentional, ethical, and effective pedagogical practice that supports academic success and holistic student development.
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Person
Dr. Katerina Standish is the vice provost of graduate and postdoctoral studies, Interim Dean of Indigenous Studies, Social Science, and Humanities, and professor of global and international studies at the University of Northern British Columbia, Canada. She is an expert on graduate pedagogy and conflict transformation and a Certified Conflict Coach (CCI). Her publications include content on AI in Graduate Study, Professional Development for Faculty, conflict and cultural learning, social, cultural, and political violence and nonviolence. With extensive experience in graduate pedagogy, Dr. Standish has personally supervised 26 PhDs to completion and dozens of master's students.
Content
Chapter 1: Graduate Supervision as Pedagogy.- Chapter 2: History, Purpose, and Models of Graduate Supervision.- Chapter 3: Roles and Responsibilities of Supervisors.- Chapter 4: Planning and Structuring the Supervision Journey.- Chapter 5: Setting Expectations and Building Agreements.- Chapter 6: Communication and Feedback Practices.- Chapter 7: Fostering Student Autonomy and Independence.- Chapter 8: Professional Identity Formation and Career Development.- Chapter 9: Encouraging Well-Being and Work-Life Balance.- Chapter 10: Attributes of Exceptional Supervisors.- Chapter 11: Supervising Diverse Research Projects.- Chapter 12: Supervising Collaboratively.- Chapter 13: Supervising Writing and Publication.- Chapter 14: Conflict in Supervision.- Chapter 15: Feedback and Assessment in Graduate Supervision.- Chapter 16: Completion, Examination, and Beyond.- Chapter 17: Conclusion.