The course Pedagogy for Doctoral Supervisors is currently underway, offering KI supervisors a deeper understanding of learning processes and supervisory pedagogy. Through theory, reflection and peer exchange, participants strengthen their ability to support doctoral students' development into independent researchers.
A course focused on PhD student training, learning and pedagogical development in doctoral education
The course Pedagogy for doctoral supervisors is a continuation course to the mandatory introductory course for doctoral supervisors and explores how supervisors can create meaningful learning environments, stimulate independence, and work with intended learning outcomes. Participants engage with feedback methods supervision and pedagogical research in different contexts.
Juha Nieminen , head of a team of educational developers giving courses in pedagogy in higher education and consulting in educational matters, is leading the seminars and the discussions. Juha Nieminen has a background in psychology and has a PhD in medical education.
"We want supervisors to feel confident in navigating the learning process - from identifying learning opportunities to supporting independence with clarity and compassion," says Juha Nieminen.
"During the progression of this pedagogy course, I have reflected many times about my own attitudes, mistakes and ways to improve it. I have also understood that my struggles are common to most of the supervisors, even the most senior ones. Importantly I have applied some changes that I believe are helping me to be a better supervisor." says one of the participants.
Practical tools for real supervisory challenges
The course structure combines one full and four scheduled half-days. The time in between the scheduled days the participants work individually with course literature and assignments such as a personal development project. The course runs every semester. Participants learn to identify learning situations, formulate intended learning outcomes, encourage meaningful learning and use questions and reflection in their supervision.
"The course has shown me that many supervisors face similar challenges, often revolving around unmet expectations and communication problems. The discussions with other group members were very helpful and inspired me to propose small discussion groups for early-career supervisors (approximately at the assistant professor level) within my department. I think it would be very helpful to have a regular group of peers to consult when difficult supervision issues arise," says another of the course participants.
Strengthening KI's supervisory community
Pedagogical training is an essential component of KI's strategy for high-quality doctoral education. The course is part of the broader doctoral supervisor development programme, aiming to ensure supervisors are equipped for their role as supervisor regarding pedagogy leadership and support.
"The different topics covered during the seminars have given me new knowledge in supervision skills and techniques. The discussions with other peers have also been fruitful and inspiring! I have gained many new ideas for my own supervision based on other people's reflections. Importantly, the course has challenged my way of supervising doctoral students and encouraged me to continue developing, both at supervisor and a researcher," says one of the course participants.
Inspiring more supervisors to take the next step
By highlighting the ongoing course and the experiences of its participants, the Teaching and Learning Unit aims to reach more supervisors who want to deepen their pedagogical competence and contribute to strong learning environments at KI.
"I recommend this course to anyone who wants to grow in the role as supervisor. It's both inspiring and practically useful," says Gabrielle Paulsson-Berne , course leader.
