Student supervision

Contact and sign-up

Link: to sign-up form (preliminary deadline: 27 February 2026).
Read more about the module below. Do you have questions? Send an e-mail to Abdulghani Muthanna.

Introduction

Student supervision is a pedagogical competence that demands continuous development on the part of supervisors. Therefore, this module focuses on how to further the pedagogical supervision competence with the aim to support student learning and development. In the module, we discuss the different roles of supervisors, the supervision process, and strategies to create constructive feedback practices. We also highlight the importance of defining the mutual expectations in the beginning of the supervision process and the possible establishment of a supervisory contract (expectations-fill-in form). The module is open for everyone interested in academic supervision, independently of level (supervision of bachelor’s degree projects, as well as research supervision at master’s and PhD levels).

Key words

#Studentsupervision #supervisor roles #supervision process #feedback strategies #supervisory contract

Practical information

Module coordinator/s: Abdulghani Muthanna and Fredrik Olsson

Admission requirements: No requirements

Scope: A total of 20 hrs, including meetings and recommended readings

Language of instruction: English

Time and place: Spring 2026, campus (Halden) and online.

Meeting 1 (campus Halden): 9 April, 11:00-14:00.
Meeting 2 (online): 22 April, 10:00-12:00.
Meeting 3 (online): 5 May, 10:00-12:00.

Intended learning outcomes

At the end of the module, participants are expected to:

Critically reflect on the supervision process and the different roles of supervisors
Acquire and critically reflect on the different strategies to supervision feedback
Identify and discuss the significance of establishing a supervisory contract

Learning activities

There will be two physical meetings in Halden and Fredrikstad campuses. Each meeting will last for three hours. Also, there will be two digital meetings (in Zoom); each meeting lasts for two hours. The assigned readings will be counted for seven hours.

Assessment

In order to obtain a “pass” grade with a certificate from the centre, the following is required:

Attend at least two of the three meetings and participate actively in the discussions.

Literature

Beinart, H., and Clohessy, S. (2017). Effective supervisory relationships: Best evidence and practice. Wiley Blackwell. Chapter 6 and 7.

Handal, G., & Lauvås And, P. (2005). Optimal use of feedback in research supervision with master and doctoral students. Nordic Studies in Education, 25(3), 177–190. https://doi.org/10.18261/ISSN1891-5949-2005-03-01

Lee, A. (2018). How can we develop supervisors for the modern doctorate? Studies in Higher Education, 43(5), 878–890. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03075079.2018.1438116

Ädel, A., Skogs, J., Lindgren, C., & Stridfeldt, M. (2024). The supervisor and student in Bachelor thesis supervision: a broad repertoire of sometimes conflicting roles. European Journal of Higher Education, 14(2), 207-227. https://doi.org/10.1080/21568235.2022.2162560