Main photo: The relationship between student and supervisor is an important factor in the success of a postgraduate research program.

Macquarie’s outstanding research – the quality of which has been reflected in the 2018 ERA results – doesn’t happen without great people working together in great ways. And one of the most important relationships in academia is the one between a research student and their supervisor.

Among the initiatives supporting the objectives of Macquarie’s research strategy is our Supervision Enhancement Program, which aims to enhance the quality of the supervisor-student relationship and provide HDR candidates with outstanding supervisory expertise and mentoring.

The program – convened by Associate Professor Bill Ashraf in the Office of PVC HDR Training and Partnerships – combines a compulsory orientation unit for supervisors with an optional HDR Supervision Fellowship stream.

The Fellowship has drawn praise from government and industry leaders such as Chief Scientist Professor Alan Finkel, who remarked that he looks forward to a time when Macquarie’s innovative approach is ‘ubiquitous’ across universities.

“It’s really about demonstrating to candidates and other stakeholders the level of professionalism that Macquarie brings to HDR supervision and our support for research training generally,” says Bill.

Manager or mentor?

Dr Rae-Anne Hardie (pictured, on right), a Post Doctoral Research Fellow in the Centre for Health Systems and Safety Research, is a recent participant in the Fellowship program. She is currently supervising chemical pathologist Wilson Punyalack (pictured, on left), who is undertaking a Master of Research part-time.

“Much of how to be a great supervisor is learned on the job,” notes Rae-Anne. “But professional development programs like the Supervision Fellowship give you the directly applicable skills and knowledge you need to be able to reflect on, and improve, your supervisory practice.”

With her own research training having been completed not so long ago, Rae-Anne says she is distinctly conscious of providing good guidance and leadership for her own research students.

“Many of the areas where I developed most during my postgraduate research had little to do with the project itself – although the project was definitely important!” she says. “I feel like it’s my responsibility to give my students a well-rounded experience.”

Both Rae-Anne and Wilson agree that the qualities of an excellent supervisor stretch well beyond competence in the discipline.

“A good supervisor has empathetic listening skills, good time management skills, an encouraging demeanour and the ability to ‘lift a student up’ into opportunities they might not have had without my help,” says Rae-Anne. “One of the hardest is the quality of being able to give constructive feedback so that the student can learn, but not be discouraged. It’s a hard balance!”

“Like any professional relationship, good communication skills and approachability are great traits to have,” adds Wilson. “The fact that I am only on campus once a week has not hindered the level of supervision and support afforded to me at Macquarie.

“Rae-Anne is always encouraging, and makes the effort to not only answer my questions, but to go beyond and educate me on the why. She’s a great mentor.”

Mental health

A particularly unique aspect of the Fellowship is the option to enrol in a blended learning program to achieve accreditation with Mental First Aid Health Australia (MHFA).

“Mental health issues are unfortunately common in HDR students, so it’s important to know what to do if your student is having a mental health issue,” says Rae-Anne. “I’ve taken the Mental Health First Aid Course as part of the Fellowship to develop my abilities in this area.”

The next intake for the Fellowship program is in June, with participants provided with face-to-face workshops, as well as a curated set of materials relevant to improving their practice as teachers and supervisors.

“I would recommend the Fellowship program to other Macquarie staff, especially ECRs with little ‘official’ supervisory experience,” says Rae-Anne. “It has definitely enhanced my skills as a supervisor.”

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Contact hdr.supervision@mq.edu.au if you would like more information about the Supervisor Enhancement Program.