This presentation, led by Professor Manuel Gameiro da Silva, focuses on strategies and the critical importance of clear, supportive, and structured communication between supervisors and doctoral students within the HumanIC project.
Why is Communication Important?
- Clarifies expectations and roles early in the doctoral journey.
- Supports emotional well-being by creating space for students to voice concerns.
- Improves research outcomes through timely, constructive feedback.
- Prevents conflicts through open dialogue and resolution mechanisms.
- Fosters independence, innovation, and professional development.
- Leads to better engagement, higher completion rates, and better overall experiences.
10-Point Strategy for Effective Communication:
- Set clear expectations from the start—define goals, roles, and timelines.
- Hold regular meetings to review progress and maintain dialogue.
- Practice active listening to understand student perspectives.
- Give constructive feedback with a balance of critique and encouragement.
- Be approachable—make it easy for students to reach out.
- Support emotional well-being and promote mental health awareness.
- Foster independence while guiding research development.
- Resolve conflicts quickly and constructively.
- Seek feedback on supervisory practices to improve communication.
- Celebrate achievements to build motivation and reinforce progress.
The presentation also includes a curated list of articles, books, and online resources (e.g., Elsevier Academy, Nature Masterclasses) to support both doctoral supervisors and students in enhancing communication and supervisory practices.
