Certificate of Achievement
has completed the following course:
Successful PhD Supervision: A Shared Journey
University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG)
This course explored how supervisors can guide and coach their PhD candidates. The course covered topics such as how to best support the candidate throughout the different moments and phases of the PhD trajectory, and what it takes to establish and maintain a good working relationship and an atmosphere of trust with their PhD student. It included the supervisors' personal and professional development, and helped reflect on how their values and context influenced their supervision style.
3 weeks, 2 hours per week
Petra Rudolf
Dean of the Graduate Schools
University of Groningen
Anna Salzano
Trainer and coach
University of Groningen
Transcript
Learning outcomes
- Identify the most important moments and phases in the PhD trajectory
- Assess your own role and shared responsibility as a supervisor
- Experiment with tools and methods to improve the effectiveness of PhD supervision
- Apply effective interaction techniques in conversations with the PhD student
- Improve the process of dealing with expectations and formulating goals
- Reflect on your professional development as PhD supervisor in the academic context
- Demonstrate awareness of your own values, qualities and pitfalls; as well as awareness about being a role model to your PhD students
Syllabus
- Roles and responsibilities of the PhD supervisor
- Working with co-supervisors
- PhD candidate selection
- The training and supervision plan
- The importance of the first year
- The supervisor as timekeeper
- The final stretch
- The defence and beyond
- Supporting the PhD career perspectives
- Effective interaction and managing expectations
- Providing feedback for growth and development
- Defining goals with your PhD student
- Establishing boundaries and finding support
- The professional identity of the supervisor
- Your core qualities and your pitfalls
- The social context and supervision
- The supervisor as a role model
Issued on 21st March 2026
The person named on this certificate has completed the activities in the transcript above. For more information about Certificates of Achievement and the effort required to become eligible, visit futurelearn.com/proof-of-learning/certificate-of-achievement.
This certificate represents proof of learning. It is not a formal qualification, degree, or part of a degree.