Funded by Research England, the Next Generation Research Super-Vision Project (RSVP) will systematically examine how to improve and enhance research supervision in the UK.
There is currently a growing body of evidence highlighting the need for a re-examination of doctoral education and the role of supervision. The evidence suggests there is insufficient engagement with support and training for new and experienced supervisors, a lack of time and recognition for supervision activities and inconsistent approaches to team supervision. Doctoral supervision is thus not as efficient, effective, or inclusive as it could be in supporting diverse doctoral candidates to conduct excellent research, develop their careers and contribute to societal problems.
In response, the RSVP has brought together a consortium of six organizations led by the University of York, including Sheffield Hallam University, Coventry University, King’s College London, the University of Nottingham, and the UK Council for Graduate Education (UKCGE). Through three pillars of Scholarship, Practice, and Culture and Policy, the consortium aims to enhance doctoral supervisory practice and widen the pool of confident, trained supervisors able to support an inclusive culture and the next generation of researchers.
Here at SIRKE, we will be leading a 4-year evaluation of the RSVP project by adopting the principles of a ‘what works’ approach, focusing on how enhancing researcher supervisory practices impacts different contexts such as disciplinary and institutional variations/types of doctorates.
