The Good Supervision Video

The quality of your relationship with your supervisor or supervisors can be crucial to the progress of your PhD. Should you think of your supervisor as your teacher, your friend, an authority figure or a resource for your use? And what should you do if you are not getting the support you need? This half hour video by Angel Productions and Birkbeck, University of London, will help students in all institutions and all disciplines to get the best from their supervisors, and can also help supervisors to develop their skills.

< We've reduced the picture quality to make this excerpt faster to download. The complete 30 minute programme is supplied on DVD with full screen broadcast quality video (suitable for uploading to your intranet).

The Good Supervision Video will help doctoral students:

Understand the supervisor’s role
Plan and make good use of supervision meetings
Take the lead in supervision meetings
Understand differences between disciplines
Plan the wider work of PhD research
Establish a realistic timetable for completion on time
Deal with a ‘busy’ supervisor
Understand the UK system if you are from overseas
Know what supervisors should and should not expect of you
Keep records of supervision meetings
Understand the limits of the supervisor’s role
Ask for the feedback you need
Understand upgrading, transfer and monitoring procedures
Deal with setbacks and disappointments

It can also help preparing staff to take on the role of supervisor for the first time and raise issues for discussion with experienced supervisors.

Based on specially scripted drama scenarios and interviews with experienced supervisors, The Good Supervision Video was produced with advice from Professor John Wakeford, Director of the Missenden Centre for the Development of Higher Education.

The Good Supervision Video is available for sale to universities, colleges and other organisations. For a one-off payment, your institution can be licensed to make the video available to all your registered students and staff either in DVD format or via your intranet or other secure digital platform. To preview the full video or enquire about licensing, please email enquiries@angelproductions.co.uk