Supervisors need to be aware that they are not expected to know how to deal with every challenge or difficulty encountered, and that their work may have an impact on their wellbeing too.
At the department and faculty levels, there are several roles who can provide you with the support and advice you need to carry out your supervisory role. These key roles are:
Title
- Director of Postgraduate Studies (DPS)
- Senior Tutor
- Postgraduate Administrator
- Faculty Senior Tutors
The DPS is responsible to the Head of Department for implementing postgraduate education policy as determined jointly in consultation with the Head of Department, senior officers of the department, departmental committees and staff-student committees.
Your department will have at least one Senior Tutor (PGR) who has overall responsibility for the academic and pastoral care of postgraduate students. These experienced colleagues will be able to guide and support you in handling individual student problems or queries, and you should consult them if you are uncertain how to proceed or would value a second opinion. You can download the Roles and Responsibilities Document for the Senior Tutor (PGR) here: Senior Tutor (PGR)
The Senior Tutor (PGR) will normally have had a lot of experience supervising students and are a good source of information when tricky or unusual situations occur. They will have detailed knowledge of the structure of research programmes and will have dealt with various support services in the College (e.g. Registry, Health Centre, Disability Advisory Service etc.).
It is very important that you do not take certain matters into your own hands e.g. in cases where a student wishes to lodge a complaint against a member of staff, or reports financial issues or visa queries. In fact, anything which is potentially controversial should be directed to the Senior Tutor (PGR).
When involving your Senior Tutor (PGR) there is guidance on how to manage confidentiality and disclosure of student information that you should be aware of. You should also be aware that your student may wish to go directly to their Senior Tutor (PGR) and may not wish to consult with you.
All departments will have an administrator who will be able to advise you on research degree administrative processes. This person will be a key source of information and help. You should find out who your PG Administrator is as soon as you can.
The Faculty Senior Tutors have responsibility for ensuring the delivery of consistent, high quality support for students in their personal, general academic and professional development. They work with departments and Senior Tutors (PGR) to ensure students are adequately supported and appropriate College processes are implemented.
Staff Wellbeing and Support Services
At individual level, as a member of staff at Imperial, you entitled to a range of wellbeing and support services.
Occupational Health provide helpful information for staff around wellbeing, resilience, dealing with stress, mental health, and other useful resources.
Mental Health First Aiders (MHFAs) - The College has over 200 MHFAs who are trained to listen non-judgementally and guide you to sources of help and support.
Confidential Care - Staff can talk to a professional for advice on a wide range of work and life issues including debt & financial management, legal and tax advice, consumer and citizen rights, finding child and elder care, and everyday matters. You can also speak or arrange to meet with a qualified counsellor to talk through personal problems in complete confidence.
Move Imperial also has a range of resources, activities and events which staff are able to attend.
Staff Supporters - Staff Supporters are existing members of staff who are part of a trained network of volunteers which provide confidential and positive assistance to all Imperial staff when they need information, guidance and support. Staff Supporters have received bespoke training and are able to provide confidential assistance on a range of issues, from queries about career advice or flexible working, to concerns about the behaviour of a colleague.
Centre for Academic English - Native and non-native speaker members of staff are welcome to attend courses at the CfAE. The Centre offers one-to-one consultations for academic staff who may wish to focus on specific language issues such as aspects of their pronunciation or their writing style for research publication or research grant proposals. The Centre can also help staff who seek support in identifying issues and assessing their students’ writing.