Negotiating the Rackety Bridge” – a Dynamic Model for Aligning Supervisory Style with Research Student Development

Gurr, G. (2001)


Higher Education Research and Development, 20(1): 81–92

Abstract

Postgraduate research student supervision is examined with the aim of developing a model of the supervisory relationship to improve practice by encouraging a more proactive role for students. 

The term competent autonomy” is defined and argued to be a universal objective of the PhD. A tentative supervisor/​student alignment model” based on the development of this objective is proposed. It draws upon some features of earlier models but stresses the need for a dynamic alignment of supervisory style with the student’s degree of development. 

Operationalised as a tool and tested empirically, it was found to encourage students to periodically reflect on and discuss their needs as competent autonomy is developed. Feedback is presented from a group of PhD students with whom the tool has been used at approximately 6 monthly intervals for up to three years to deliver supervision aligned to their dynamic needs.

Cite this article

Gurr, G. (2001)

Negotiating the Rackety Bridge” – a Dynamic Model for Aligning Supervisory Style with Research Student Development.

Higher Education Research and Development, 20(1): 81–92

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