Supervision
A productive working relationship between doctoral candidate and supervisor is an essential element for the successful completion of a doctorate. In addition to the traditional individual doctorate, in which a doctoral candidate is accompanied by a supervisor while writing the dissertation, supervision by a team of supervisors as part of structured doctoral training has emerged as an more encompassing and intensive form of support for early-stage researchers.
Research within the framework of a doctorate is based on the principles of good scientific practice, which are an elementary part of daily research work for both doctoral candidates and researchers alike.
The University of Graz offers various forms of structured doctoral training - doctoral schools, doctoral programs and consortia - which, amongst other things, necessitate different forms of administrative support as well as provide different funding opportunities.
Starting in winter semester 2024/25, doctoral candidates admitted to doctoral studies will also be members of a doctoral school corresponding to their studies.
As part of a structured doctorate, doctoral candidates are integrated into the activities of a group of researchers, which ensures continuous, reliable, efficient and motivating supervision throughout the entire doctoral phase and increases both the chances of success of the doctoral project and career opportunities in the scientific field. The range of courses/workshops and networking opportunities that are offered to doctoral candidates at the University of Graz supports the progress of the doctorate. Structured doctoral training also usually includes other doctoral candidates working on similar research topics. This provides the opportunity for qualified professional exchange.
Information on the doctoral schools can be found in the information sections of the individual doctoral studies websites as well as on on the websites of the faculties.
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Good supervision can make a significant contribution to improving the quality of the dissertation through continuous professional exchange, thematic suggestions and methodological advice.
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Optimal supervision promotes the speedy progress and completion of the doctoral project - in particular through support in clearly tailoring the dissertation project and through advice on time management.
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Good supervision offers assistance in acquiring additional qualifications that are essential for a later professional career (both within and outside academia).
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Finally, good supervision lays the foundation for disciplinary and interdisciplinary networking among doctoral candidates and in this way also makes a decisive contribution to professional success, even after the doctorate has been completed.
from Gymnich, Marion and Stedman, Gesa: Doctoral supervision: Supervision models and quality criteria. In: Nünning, Ansgar and Sommer, Roy (eds.): Handbuch Promotion. Research - Funding - Financing. Verlag J.B.Metzler 2007. p.81
Further examples of supervision standards:
Taylor, Stan and Beasley, Nigel: A Handbook for Doctoral Supervisors. Routledge London and New York, 2005
Stock, Schneider, Peper, Molitor (eds.): Erfolgreich promovieren. A guide by doctoral candidates for doctoral candidates. Springer 2009 (2nd ed.)
The University of Graz honors supervisors who show outstanding commitment to doctoral candidates and take into account the many aspects of good supervision with the Seraphine-Puchleitner Prize for excellent supervision.