Supervision Guidelines

The student-supervisor relationship is a key factor in determining a successful and satisfying graduate experience.

Mentoring Meeting During COVID-19 Pandemic

Research-stream graduate students and their supervisors may have concerns about how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting graduate research and how this will in turn affect students’ academic progress through their programs. While we do not know how long this situation will last, it is prudent to be planning for the likelihood that social distancing measures and travel restrictions, in one form or another, will be part of our research landscape for some time yet.

The expectations outlined in the Graduate Supervision Guidelines below still apply.

The School of Graduate Studies implemented processes, back in April/May 2020, to encourage supervisors/advisors and research stream students to address academic disruptions that may have emerged in the context of COVID-19 related restrictions. Guidelines for these discussions are still available here.

If you are a supervisor or an advisor to research-stream Master’s and Ph.D. students, we recommend continuing to assess the impact of COVID-19 and associated repercussions on student research, academic progress and funding. We suggest exploring the following:  

  • access to educational activities (e.g., courses, conferences;  access to research activities (e.g., fieldwork, lab work, data sources) 
  • availability to engage in academic activities (e.g., caregiving demands, international mobility)
  • funding (lost awards or grants, RA income, TA income)
  • expenses (e.g., unanticipated expenses, new costs for research)

Finally, you may find the Strategies for Graduate Mentorship and Supervision at a Distance and Guide to Working from Home for Graduate/Postdoctoral Researchers below to be helpful resources during this time.

Questions? Email us.