Research Supervision
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Candidate and panel

Overview and research

As outlined in the section on Supervisory Panels most universities in Australia require that each candidate has a panel or committee of supervisors. While there are strong reasons for such a requirement, candidates sometimes report difficulty in communicating with their panel as a whole and/or individual members of their panel.

A common complaint from candidates is that either:

  • Individual members of their panel give them conflicting advice when they discuss issues with them, or
  • When they organise for the whole panel to meet together they spend most of the time arguing with one another!

Helping students negotiate how they will communicate with their panel is a critical aspect of early candidature. While the arrangements can be changed during candidature, it is strongly recommended that the members of the panel, and their roles, be reviewed each year at the time of the Annual Research Progress Report.

The above text was based on the following research:

Pearson, M., & Kayrooz, C. (2004). Enabling critical reflection on research supervisory practice. International Journal for Academic Development, 9(1), 99-116.

Ideas and tools

Practitioner Tip: Getting the Panel Dynamics Right

It is worth taking time early in candidature to clarify expectations with candidate and ALL panel members on a range of issues, including:

  • What expectations are held by the candidate of each member of the panel, are they realistic?
  • What are the expectations of each member of the panel of the other, including the candidate?
  • What can be expected of an adviser compared with a supervisor? That is, are advisers being expected to take on the role of supervisors (without the credit)?
  • How often will the panel meet as a whole with the candidate?
  • Whose responsibility is to initiate and organise those meetings: the candidate, principal supervisor?
  • How and by whom will the outcomes of joint and individual meetings be recorded and disseminated?
  • How will differences in advice to the candidate be handled? Will it always be the chair of the panel or will different members of the panel have the final say regarding their own area of expertise?
  • Who will read drafts of material and when?

ANU information

The ANU's policy on doctoral supervision is that each candidate should have a panel consisting of supervisors and advisors (See Panel Supervision for more information.)

While many candidates meet with individual panel members at times, as required, throughout candidature the current ANU milestone documents for Doctoral and Masters candidates suggests that candidates (FTE) should meet with their full panel at least on the following occasions:

  • 3-6 months at the time of submission of the research plan for the next 12 months
  • 9-12 months when submitting the thesis proposal for review and approval by the full panel
  • subsequently each year when preparing a research plan.

The ANU rules related to the Supervision of Higher Degree by Research candidates, suggest the following regarding panels:

  • A supervisory panel consists of at least three members, with a usual maximum of five, including at least one principal supervisor and two other members who may be associate supervisors or advisers.
  • Each panel has a chair who is a supervisor and a full-time member of ANU academic staff, and who is expected to hold an appointment for the duration of the candidate's program.
  • Advisers are appointed to provide access to further expertise and to provide wider contacts.
  • Panels are normally confirmed, in writing, by the Delegated Authority within three months of enrolment.

Different disciplines/Schools/Centres organise panels slightly differently. Check with an experienced supervisor or the Graduate Studies Convenor for your field of study to confirm 'local' practices.

 

For College-specific information contact:

Currently ANU colleges are compiling information about the dynamics between candidates and their research panel. In the meantime, contact the College Associate Dean (HDR) for more general college information.