Please note, this cross-university development programme forms part of a central supervisor development offer delivered by the Doctoral School alongside the UKCGE research supervisor recognition application support (offering opportunities for good supervisory practice to be recognised through peer-review and a national award) and other opportunities outlined under Supervision (for Staff). Supervisors can select the most appropriate level of training to meet their needs, rather than having to work through the different ‘levels’, in turn. If you are new to supervision we recommend completing the DSDP first, followed by UKCGE Recognition application support.
The programme is aimed at: The main target audience is new staff without previous research supervisor experience and/or research supervisors who have yet to supervise a doctoral programme to completion.
Overall programme aims: To disseminate information relevant to the process of the supervision of doctoral researchers, to assist staff to develop and enhance effective research supervision skills and to facilitate the development and sharing of good practice.
Programme Leaders: Prof Doug Cleaver and Dr Nicola Palmer – supported by the Researcher and Innovator Development Academy.
In academic year 2026/2027 the course will run twice – 21st-22nd January 2027 and 19th-20th May 2027 – as 2 day intensive face to face sessions delivered on campus only. Additionally participants have the option to complete the course online via asynchronous content. Attendees will be attached to a course-specific Blackboard site prior to the start of the cohort for which they have secured a place.
Applying for a place: please speak with your local Head of Research Degrees (HoRD) or Postgraduate Research Tutor (PGRT) to discuss your attendance, and then fill in your details on our Doctoral Supervisor Development Programme 26-27 expression of interest form for the January 2027, May 2027 or asynchronous version.
Please click to join the Research Supervisor Network MS Team.