Based on extensive research into effective supervision practices, this accessible guide is indispensable for both new and experienced postgraduate research supervisors alike.

This book provides a basic introduction to the supervision of postgraduate studies. At the centre of each discussion are examples of best practices and guidelines on how to deal with all aspects associated with postgraduate supervision. Both the postgraduate student and the novice supervisor are targeted in this book, although seasoned supervisors could also benefit from the reflections. In the development of a supervision culture a comprehensive research guide is needed.

What kind of problems are encountered while undertaking postgraduate study? How are these problems best avoided or resolved? How can the student/supervisor relationship be improved? This practical guide is based on a series of successful workshops on postgraduate supervision and presents the most frequently encountered difficulties in the student/supervisor relationship. Detailed but concise case studies offer realistic solutions to the thirty issues discussed, including: Conflict Culture Distance Funding Isolation Language Management Plagiarism Priority Time Transfer Write-up Each case study raises important questions to generate discussion, and suggests solutions and preventative measures. The book also includes a section that shows how the case studies can be used in a teaching workshop setting. Effective Postgraduate Supervision is essential reading for supervisors of postgraduate degrees including those at masters and doctoral level as well as prospective and current postgraduate research students.

Supervising Practices for Postgraduate Research in Art, Architecture and Design offers insights into supervisory practices in creative and design-based research by academics at Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) University, Australia. The book focuses on practices of supervising candidates who are undertaking postgraduate research in art, architecture, design and creative writing. It addresses a decisive shift in the academy towards an emphasis on applied practice-led research undertaken through project-based investigations. This model articulates an effective means to conduct research on knowledge both embodied in, and discovered through creative and design practices. Such knowledge can be understood in the context of broad socio-cultural changes in which creative and applied practice is defining and leading cultural, scientific, technological and creative economies. The contributors to this book investigate a range of supervisory strategies and wider concerns to do with knowledge and its formations. They focus on diverse pedagogical models and methodologies of supervising practices through applied practice-led research, exhibitions, ethics, writing, theory and practice, language and design. The authors are experienced supervisors of creative and practice-led research who have engaged in scholarly reflections on selective aspects of their supervisory practices with the aim of providing insight to others regarding what they do, and how and why they do it. The overall aim of this collection is to open up dialogue and debate around emerging modes of postgraduate research and supervisory practice in universities of the twenty-first century. This is a very astute and valuable contribution to the literature on supervision in the applied arena with a series of excellent discussions on creative practice-based research, pedagogical practices of supervision, creative writing and the creative work in process, ‘generative praxis’, distance supervision, doctoral exhibitions, supervision of designers, and a range of related issues and concerns. ‘It is a path-breaking, path-finding book that will be of great assistance to all kinds of professionals and students across a wide range of disciplines and with important lessons for all doctoral supervision. It is an exciting and accessible book and a great achievement for a group of colleagues in a leading institution.’ Michael A. Peters Emeritus Professor, University

An excellent collection of diverse and deeply reflective perspectives. All offer insights into the multiple challenges confronted in improving the quality and depth of postgraduate supervision, increasing throughput, and dealing with complexity. What is also affirmed is the importance of individual capability in supervision that is developed and nurtured over time, and through arduous effort. The book will be of value to novice supervisors and to more experienced ones. Policy makers, planners and administrators looking to enlarge their understanding of the postgraduate terrain in all its complexities will find the mix of theoretical and practical lenses through which the topic is approached particularly illuminating. - Professor Narend Baijnath, Chief Executive Officer, Council on Higher Education

Divided into three parts, this resource first expands on the origin and implementation of the Emerging Researcher Program (ERP), complemented by critical reflections of the program's first four years. The second and third parts examine the seminar and supervision training programs that constitute core ERP business. These latter selections are based on material developed for and presented at seminars and workshops. Participants in the ERP will gain insight into many program details and understand it as an adaptable model to address many situations both within South Africa and in the broader African context.