Excellence in Doctoral Supervision
Purpose of Award
The purpose of this award is to promote, recognise and reward excellence in the supervision of doctoral students of all kinds.
The award consists of a prize of £1000 to the successful nominee(s).
Criteria for Award
a) Eligibility
Academic and research staff who have participated in the supervision to successful completion of at least four doctoral students registered at the University of Bath, to date of nomination. Previous award winners are not eligible to be considered again, but previously unsuccessful candidates may reapply.
b) Criteria
The award is intended to recognise exceptional performance and conduct in this area. The University expects that an excellent supervisor or supervisory team would be able to demonstrate:
• an interest in, and enthusiasm for, supervising and supporting research students;
• the ability to recruit and select good candidates and establish effective working relationships with them and, where appropriate, with co-supervisors;
• giving useful and prompt feedback on submitted work, advising on keeping the project on track, monitoring progress, and ensuring timely completion;
• the ability to offer appropriate support to students’ research projects including the processes of completion of their thesis, final examination and publication of work;
• an appropriate engagement with, and contribution to, postgraduate students' research;
• encouraging their students to disseminate their work, maximise its impact and exploit its results wherever appropriate;
• a concern to support the personal, professional, and career development of doctoral students;
• an ability to evaluate critically their practice as supervisors and, where appropriate, disseminate it, acting as a role model for students and colleagues.
Timetable and process
Selection will be by a panel consisting of the PVC Research (chair), Deans of Faculties and Schools, a previous winner of the award (except in the inaugural year) and a postgraduate research student member.
Nominations are invited from Heads of Departments/Schools following consultation with Directors of Studies for Postgraduate Students. Agreement should be obtained in writing from prospective nominees to their names going forward for consideration for the award. Nominations may be for individual supervisors, or for a supervisory team.
Nominees who have agreed to their name going forward should provide a statement of not more than 500 words giving evidence of how they meet the criteria set out above. The statement, along with a brief current CV, a list of past and present doctoral students, and (where appropriate) a list of peer-reviewed published work by the students which is based on or comprising thesis material, should be forwarded to the Head of Department on the form given in the link below. He/she should write a supporting letter, and send the completed form and the nominee(s)'s CV, to Dr Lisa Isted, Registry, Wessex House 6.27, to arrive no later than midday on Wednesday 4 April 2012.
Download NOMINATION FORM (MS word document)
The selection panel will meet during April to determine who should receive the award. The chair will report the panel’s conclusions to the University Research Students Committee and Senate.
Arrangement for presentation
At an appropriate Graduation ceremony in July 2012, alongside other teaching and research awards.