Supervisor Responsibilities
There are many different approaches to supervision and each may be valid in different contexts. Such variety is essential and inevitable, due to the very individual and personal nature of the student - supervisor relationship. Problems encountered in research degrees can often be traced back to a breakdown in communication between the student and Supervisor(s), sometimes caused by the different expectations each has of the other. For these reasons, it is essential that a clear definition of their basic roles and responsibilities be agreed before the research starts.
Key Responsibilities - summary
- The Principal Supervisor is responsible for the overall direction and management of the research programme and its day-to-day supervision
- The Principal Supervisor is also responsible for administrative matters relating to the student's registration
- The Associate Supervisor will normally contribute their specific expertise to the development of the research programme
- The Supervisors are responsible to the Research Degrees Committee (RDC) for the satisfactory progress of the research programme
- The Supervisors are responsible for putting forward proposals to RDC for variations to registration which may include suspension/extension
- The student and Supervisors must review the ethical implications of the research and conform to University policy (see below)
- The Principal Supervisor is responsible for ensuring that any agreements with external organisations are honoured
- The Principal Supervisor should liaise with the Director of Postgraduate Research with regard to Annual Progress Review and examination of the thesis
- The Supervisors should submit the Annual Progress Report to RDC (send to Margaret Haldane, Student Administration and Support - Research)
- In the event of unsatisfactory progress, the Supervisors should instigate the University's Capability Procedure (see Capability Procedure webpage)
- The student and Supervisors should identify the need for the student to receive skills development/training and ensure arrangements are put in place
- Supervisors must explain the implications of IPR to the student
- The Supervisors should liaise with the Director of Postgraduate Research in the event of alternative supervision arrangements being required
For more information with regards to the above, please refer to the university's Regulations for Research Degrees (Section 7) by following the Quick Links to the right of this webpage.
Research Ethics
The Committee for Ethics in Research is a sub-committee of the Research and Knowledge Transfer Committee. There are two Research Ethics Panels (REPs) which consider applications for research ethics approval. The two REPs are broadly focused:
- Social and International Studies, Management, Health, Life-long Learning and Development
- Engineering, Design and Technology, Informatics and Life Sciences
At the start of a student research project, the supervisors and student are required to consider the ethical issues and the Principal Supervisor is required to complete an ethics Checklist to determine whether full ethical approval is required. For more detailed guidance and information please refer to http://www.brad.ac.uk/gateway/research/research-support-for-academics/ethics/ResearchEthicsApprovalProcess/
