Handledarens berattelse: Relationen mellan doktorandhandledare och doktorand ur handledarnas perspektiv

PhD supervisors have a critical role in the PhD education process. It is universally accepted that a successful PhD supervision practice can transform the PhD journey into a meaningful experience while a negative PhD supervision practice is linked to high dropout rates. In certain national higher education systems, PhD supervisors receive professional training to systematize their practices. Several frameworks have been proposed to cover diverse aspects of PhD supervision training and the PhD supervisor-supervisee relationship aspect of the supervision holds a central role in most frameworks. However, what constitutes a successful PhD supervisor-supervisee relationship from the perspectives of PhD supervisors is less researched. Therefore, the aim of this work was to explore the perspectives of the PhD supervisors on the PhD supervisor-supervisee relationship establishment and management. To address this knowledge gap, I employed a systematic literature review coupled with a quantitative survey approach to study the point of view of PhD supervisors on this topic. The survey took place in the Swedish Higher Education system, given the importance it places on professional training of PhD supervisors. The survey was distributed to PhD supervisors currently active in the Swedish Higher Education system with 11 respondents replying to the survey. The results uncover important topics on the PhD supervisor-supervisee relationship including feedback and reflective practices as well as ethical considerations to be important facets of the PhD supervisors’ perspectives on the topic. Using Foucault’s notion of power as a lens to interpret the results, I consider the different power dynamics that can creep into the relationship establishment phase of the PhD education, as shown by the diminished role that socioeconomic background of the students might play into the process. Overall, despite the small sample of the survey, I have expanded on current literature on PhD supervision relationship from the point of view of the PhD supervisor, with insights that could have practical implications for formal training of PhD supervisors.