Checklist for New Supervisors

The top questions for new supervisors

1. Have I enough time to supervise a doctoral student?
2. Are there enough resources available to carry out the research?
3. How many students am I supervising currently?
4. Have I interviewed the potential candidate?
5. Does the candidate have relevant disciplinary/research experience as evidenced by:
   • Previous Written Material
   • References
   • Disciplinary Experience
   • Relevant Work Experience
   • Research Activity
   • Academic Qualifications
6. Does the candidate have the following necessary qualities:
   • Enthusiasm / Motivation
   • Flexibility
   • Tenacity
   • Positive Approach to Work
7. Will the candidate be a good ‘fit’?
   • With other research students in group /School
   • With me as a Research Supervisor
8. Have I considered the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion implications of supervising this potential candidate, especially in relation to how I evaluate their ‘fit’ and if they may require any reasonable accommodations to support them in their research degree education?
9. Do I require a co-supervisor(s)/ Adjunct/ External Supervisor on this project?
10. Is the Research Studies Panel (RSP) in place?
11. Have I scheduled a meeting with my student about clarifying mutual expectations?
12. Have I discussed with the student the key elements of the UCD PhD?
    • Research component
    • RPDP (Research & Professional Development Plan)
    • Transfer Assessment
    • Research Studies Panel
    • Transferable & Discipline Specific Skills
    • Research Ethics & GDPR
13. Have I discussed a schedule of meetings, how feedback will be given and when?
14. Have I discussed the key monitoring milestones managed by:
    • The School (eg Transfer Assessment, Seminars etc.)
    • Me personally (eg progress summaries, annual reports, conferences)
15. Have I shown my new research student where all the policies, guidelines and procedures pertaining to Graduate Research in UCD can be found?
16. Have I introduced the student to peers, colleagues, professional staff in the School?
17. Have I engaged with Research Supervisor Professional Development programmes / supports?