Post Graduate Academic Advising (PGAA)
Understanding the critical role academic advisors play in student success. This chapter aims to provide strategies for teachers to enhance academic advising consultations across four key areas:
- Maintaining a positive supervisory relationship
- Assisting with research progress
- Guiding thesis writing
- Conducting effective career consultancy
By focusing on these strategies, we can help create a more supportive environment for students, ultimately improving their academic experiences and outcomes.
Maintaining a good supervisory relationship is crucial for the success of research students and their projects. Making a A Supervisor-Research Student Agreement clarifies roles, promotes open communication, and fosters mutual respect, essential for supporting research students’ development and enhancing the success of their projects.
(Trinity College Dublin, 2024)
- Regular meetings
These meetings create an environment where students feel comfortable asking questions and sharing progress. Creating a culture that welcomes questions and acknowledges mistakes is essential for effective learning. Supervisors should strive to cultivate this welcoming atmosphere.
- Trust Building
Effective supervisors build trust by creating an environment where honest discussions are welcomed, making students comfortable expressing concerns. This is especially important for those accustomed to a passive learning style or new to academia. By fostering trust and open dialogue, supervisors enhance the student experience and support professional development in a collaborative atmosphere.
- Confidence Building
Confidence building is crucial for research students, who are typically young and enthusiastic about their chosen subjects and may be facing uncertainty about the future. Supervisors must recognize the potential and hopes of these individuals.
- Addressing PG studies’ loneliness
Research students frequently experience loneliness, as they read, work, and think alone. There are moments when students may feel lost or unsure about their direction. During these times, the supervisor’s guidance can be invaluable. Research students are learning to transition from following instructions to leading their own research initiatives, requiring them to develop a researcher’s mindset that effectively utilizes doubt and self-doubt.
- Technology Enhanced Bond Building
In today’s digital age, technology has become an essential tool for facilitating these relationships, particularly as institutions increasingly adopt hybrid and remote learning models. Tools like MS Teams facilitate real-time communication and virtual meetings. Google Docs enables collaborative document editing. SharePoint folders can organize resources and project materials. These technologies create a more connected and supportive environment, encouraging open dialogue and collaboration, thus enhancing the bond building.
Supervisors should anticipate that research students will encounter personal or academic issues and may need extra support. While it’s not the supervisor’s role to resolve these issues directly, they can guide students to appropriate resources. Recognizing the diversity within the student body, including mature, part-time, and international students, is crucial. An inclusive supervision approach acknowledges the different challenges these students face, which can impact their academic progress.
(The University of Queensland, 2025; CLEAR, 2015; Trinity College Dublin, 2024; Vakaliuk et al., 2024)
Supervisors expect students to have general knowledge and practical skills in their research area before starting the program, especially in experimental fields like Chemistry and Sports Science. Throughout their research projects, it is crucial for students to be proactive and to think critically about how to optimize their research processes and outcomes. Supervisors encourage students to take the initiative, engage in discussions, and bring their ideas forward.
- Stay updated recent publications and developments in their field so they can give up-to-date suggestions.
- Provide sufficient support regarding necessary equipment and tools.
- Be open-minded towards new technologies and regulations.
- Be accessible and responsive to students’ needs.
- Meeting regularly to track student’s progress.
- Timely offer critical, constructive and positive feedback.
(CLEAR, 2015; The University of Queensland, 2025)
Students are encouraged to conduct preliminary research and engage with seniors to gain insights into their experiences. Postgraduate students’ main study objectives involve exploring uncharted territories and contributing novel insights to their fields.
- Understanding the thesis process is crucial, as a thesis represents a scholar’s initial foray into academia. The writing process is often complex and filled with challenges, including writer’s block and self-doubt.
- Supervisors can alleviate these difficulties by sharing their experiences and providing constructive feedback, while encouraging peer support that motivates students to conduct preliminary research and engage with seniors to gain insights.
- Clear communication regarding expectations and priorities is essential to prevent conflicts. Continuous monitoring of research quality by supervisors can also help identify potential issues early.
Overall, fostering a supportive environment and maintaining clear communication are vital for enhancing the thesis writing experience and promoting academic success.
(CLEAR, 2015; Girlymicro, 2024; Watson, 1987)
During the academic advising consultation for postgraduate career planning, several pertinent questions can guide discussions about a research-focused career.
- Where are MPhil and PhD graduates heading to?
- How difficult is it for a PhD graduate to find a tenured position?
- Is there frustration for doctoral graduates who may not secure permanent research jobs?
- Do doctoral students have narrower job prospects than master’s students?
- What advice can you give to students aspiring to secure academic positions?
- What are the most significant changes anticipated in academia?
Understanding the career trajectories of recent graduates can provide insights into potential opportunities.
Addressing the competitive nature of academic job markets.
Acknowledging potential emotional challenges is essential for realistic career planning.
Comparing job opportunities can help clarify the value of advanced degrees.
Providing practical guidance empowers students to pursue their goals effectively.
Highlighting trends such as increased technology use and the rise of interdisciplinary collaboration, including the integration of AI, helps faculty stay informed and adapt their teaching.
Career discussions should be approached with sensitivity, as students often rely on their supervisors for guidance. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for fostering supportive and informative career consultations.
(CLEAR, 2015)
Graduate students must adapt to various supervisory styles to benefit from diverse perspectives. Supervisors should communicate openly about funding and set clear boundaries to maintain professionalism. Supervisors may struggle to balance their own research with student training, leading to potential conflicts between personal commitments and ensuring timely thesis completion. Effective communication and clear expectations are essential for successful mentorship.
(CLEAR, 2015)
- Centre for Learning Enhancement And Research (CLEAR). (2015). RESEARCH SUPERVISION BOOKLET. In Centre for Learning Enhancement and Research (CLEAR).
- Girlymicro. (2024). PhD Top Tips on Managing Your Supervisors: Love em or hate em, there’s no completion without them. Girlymicro. https://girlymicrobiologist.com/2024/06/18/phd-top-tips-on-managing-your-supervisors-love-em-or-hate-em-theres-no-completion-without-them/
- The University of Queensland. (2025). What makes a good PhD supervisor? Study. https://study.uq.edu.au/stories/what-makes-a-good-phd-supervisor
- Trinity College Dublin. (2024). Supervision of Research Students Best Practice Guide.https://www.tcd.ie/media/tcd/graduate-studies/pdfs/supervision-guidelines-22.pdf
- Vakaliuk, T., Spirin, O., Ievdokymov, V., & Іatsyshyn A. (2024). Experience of using cloud services for teamwork between supervisor and graduate students. Information Technologies and Learning Tools, 100(2), 122-140. https://doi.org/10.33407/itlt.v100i2.5321
- Watson, G. (1987). Writing a Thesis: A Guide to Long Essays and Dissertations. London: Longman, p.3.