Thinking outside the box

Theoretically, the legislation provides clear directions, through which the relationship between the mentee and the mentor is defined, in the context of a doctoral research project. In practice, interpersonal relationships involve nuances, variables and peculiarities that are difficult to anticipate. In this context, the question arises: should the coordinator be a mentor or a coach? An (apparently) simple question that can help both to cover the route from admission to the defense of the thesis, and to clarify the place of each participant, because the team will include (at least) two plus three members; basically, the role of the “Guidance Committee” must be an active/proactive one. Even if the relationship is established on the basis of a contract, with legislative delimitations (in full change) that – both the PhD student and the coordinator – must respect, the assumption does not only involve a formal and mechanical application of some standards, but aims at two other components resulting from the definition, at an international level, of the concept of artistic research: creating a new product (for the benefit of humanity) and triggering one's own growth. Thus, it is necessary to look for alternative coordination techniques, which respect the spirit of the law, without getting stuck in the “letter”, but which require a creative approach not only to the content, but (especially) to the “journey”, the use of a system of support, necessary for the research process and building an ethical, dynamic and creative relationship.