On January 30, 2025, DigiGrad Africa held its third training session, focusing on Soft Skills and the Role of Supervisors. The session, hosted online by experts from Sapienza University of Rome—Francesca Giofrè, Hassan Zaiter, Elisa Gigliarelli, and Niccolò Busca—provided invaluable insights into how digital tools can enhance PhD supervision.
Empowering Supervisors Through Digitalisation
Supervising a PhD candidate is a crucial responsibility, requiring both academic expertise and mentorship skills. The evolving digital landscape presents new challenges and opportunities in supervision, and this training aimed to equip supervisors with the necessary resources to navigate these effectively.
Key Objectives of the Training:
- Support supervisors in guiding PhD students throughout their research journey, particularly in digital environments.
- Provide practical tools and templates for supervision stages such as setting expectations, research planning, and thesis submission.
- Introduce essential digital tools for data management, collaborative work, AI-driven research assistance, and professional networking.
Toolkit for Supervisors: A Structured Approach
The training introduced a Toolkit for Supervisors, structured into seven key sections, each addressing a critical aspect of PhD supervision:
- Getting Started – Establishing clear expectations, setting research goals, and creating structured plans.
- Ongoing Supervision – Tracking progress, fostering collaboration, and ensuring regular student engagement.
- Managing Challenges – Addressing time management, motivation, and student well-being.
- Thesis Writing and Completion – Guiding students through structuring, drafting, and defending their thesis.
- Maximizing Research Impact – Assisting students with publishing, networking, and career planning.
- Continuous Professional Development – Encouraging supervisors to enhance their skills through workshops and reflective practice.
- Golden Rules of Supervision – Summarizing key principles for effective, impactful supervision.
Practical Sessions and Digital Tools
The toolkit also introduced eight practical sessions, including smart research planning, milestone tracking, and best practices for supervision meetings. Additionally, nine digital tools were highlighted to help supervisors and PhD candidates leverage digitalisation for workflow efficiency, AI-assisted writing, and online collaboration.
Conclusion
The training reinforced the idea that PhD supervision is not just about overseeing research but also about mentorship, emotional support, and career guidance. By embracing digital tools, structured supervision techniques, and continuous learning, supervisors can create a more effective and enriching academic experience for their students.
This training was a step forward in redefining PhD supervision in the digital age, ensuring that both supervisors and researchers are well-equipped to meet the evolving demands of academia and industry.