Training and Development

The Cornerstone Programme offers a wide range of training and continued professional development (CPD) for supervisors of doctoral students at Imperial.

Imperial’s requirements regarding doctoral supervisors development are defined by the Framework for the Continuing Professional Development of Imperial College London Main and Co-Supervisors [pdf].

CPD is an important part of employment at Imperial and supervisors are expected to undertake development courses related to supervision frequently.

As mandatory, Main and Co- Supervisors should complete the following CPD:

• As new supervisor – Complete the online/self-paced course Fundamentals of supervising PhD students. This course can be done as a refresher any time after completion.
• Every 6 years – Complete their departmental Focus on Best Practice in Supervision (FOBPS) workshop. Departments will inform supervisors when this is due.

In addition to the above core courses, Supervisors can select from a wide range of optional courses and workshops:

• Fundamentals of supervising PhD students (self-paced) 
• Being an assistant supervisor (self-paced or in-person)  
• Introduction to Supervising PhD students (EDU)
• Supporting the wellbeing of PGRs through good supervisory practice (self-paced)
• Supervising research degree students from diverse backgrounds (self-paced)
• Clinical Supervision (FoM)
       - Contact Hayley Kendall-Berry for more information and dates.
• Giving effective feedback (EDU)
• Fostering Self-Efficacy in PGRs: Coaching and Mentoring Approaches to PhD Supervision (in-person)
• Giving Feedback on PGR Writing (in-person)
• Enhancing Collaboration and Aligning Expectations Within Team Supervision (in-person)
• Supporting the Health and Wellbeing of PGRs (in-person)
• Neuroinclusive Research Supervision (in-person)
• Supervising Systematic Reviews: What you Need to Know - Q&A (Online, MS Teams)

To facilitate reviewing (and selecting) your next development opportunity, we offer here a Guide with the list of courses and workshop offered for all types/level of supervisors.