The relationship between a research graduate student and his/her supervisor has been described as 'the most important channel of intellectual inheritance between one generation and the next.'
The graduate student-supervisor relationship is central to students’ academic progress, their student experience, their potential as future scholars, and their wellbeing. Supervision is a complex form of pedagogy, one made even more complicated by the changing nature of the university, the increasing diversity of our students, and the expanding modes of scholarship in many areas. Within this evolving context, we are committed to supporting the highest quality graduate supervision practices in the context of strong graduate programming consistent with our world-class research university.
Key initiatives and areas of support
Below are initiatives that Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies has been leading to promote excellent supervision. A holistic approach has been taken, which includes disseminating knowledge and encouraging reflection on principles and best practices, and promoting a culture that values and expects excellence.
Celebrating Excellent Mentoring: Killam Mentoring Award and Great Supervisor Week
Funded by the Killam Trust, G+PS holds a competition each year for two faculty awards (senior and mid-career) acknowledging excellence in graduate mentorship. Citations for the awardees are read at Convocation each year, and videos of selected recipients are created and posted.
From 2017 to 2020, G+PS organized a #GreatSupervisor Week each year in May. UBC graduate students were encouraged to give kudos to outstanding supervisors on social media using #GreatSupervisor and #UBC, especially noting how they embody the Principles of Excellent Supervision. Over the two years, more than 40 (2017), 80 (2018), 120 (2019) and supervisors respectively were recognized by one or more of their students. We celebrated these faculty members at an event in the fall, where they received a #GreatSupervisor mug. All #GreatSupervisor mentions are integrated into our supervisor profiles.
The initiative was tabled in 2020 due to the pandemic.
