Supervisor workshop

Welcome to Supervisor Workshop (2026)

Please be aware that this course is not for PhD students but PhD supervisors only.

Target group: PhD supervisors at AAU ENGINEERING, SUND and TECH

Teacher and facilitator: Independent consultant, coach and researcher, PhD, Mirjam Godskesen, mirjam@hum.aau.dk  

The workshops are given in English

Workshop 1: 4. November 2026

Workshop 2: 3. December 2026

Place: Aalborg University

Number of seats: 30

Deadline for enrolment: 14. October 2026

Workshop 1: The supervisor role and aligning expectations

09.00-10.30              Introduction and the supervisor role:

• • • •  3 models of supervision
      •  Hands-on/hands-off
      •  The asymmetric relation

10.30-10.45              Coffee break

10.45-12.15              Critical moments and active listening

12.15-13.00              Lunch

13.00-14.00              Rules and regulations

14.00-14.15              Coffee break

14.15-15.45              Aligning expectations – also among supervisors

15.45-16.00              How to write a supervisor letter and wrap up

Preparation for workshop 1: Write a short case story - deadline Monday, October 26, 10 a.m.!!

All participants have to write a story about a real experience of PhD Supervision. It is best to choose a situation that offered a challenge and it is an advantage if the problem has not yet been solved. If you do not have an experience of PhD supervision, an experience from being a PhD student yourself or from supervision of master students can be used. The story will be used when planning the course and you must be willing to share it orally with the other participants. The written story will not be shared with anyone. Don't spend too much time writing it; it can be written in a drafty style and the volume is approx. 1/2-1 A4 page and all names, except your own, must be anonymous. Please write your own name on the top of the page, give your story a title and e-mail it to mirjam@learning.aau.dk

Workshop 2: Manage the process and support writing

09.00-10.30             Process supervision & project management

10.30-10.45              Coffee break

10.45-12.00              Open theme based on case stories 

12.00-12.45              Lunch

12.45-14.00              The supervisor letter 

14.00-14.15              Coffee break

14.15-15.45              Supporting the PhD’s writing process and giving feedback

15.45-16.00              Wrap up

Preparation for workshop 2: Participants have to write a supervisor letter in advance. Guidance on writing the supervisor letter will be sent to participants who sign up for the workshop.

Important information concerning PhD courses: There is a no-show fee of DKK 3,000 for each course where the student does not show up. Cancellations are accepted no later than 2 weeks before the start of the course. Registered illness is of course an acceptable reason for not showing up on those days. Furthermore, all courses open for registration approximately four months before start of the course.

For external PhD students: This course is a general course and is prioritized for PhD Students enrolled at Aalborg University. If there are available seats, PhD students from other universities will be accepted. You will be notified shortly after the deadline if you have been accepted.

To attend courses at the Doctoral School in Medicine, Biomedical Science and Technology you must be enrolled as a PhD student.

We cannot ensure any seats before the deadline for enrolment, all participants will be informed after the deadline, approximately 3 weeks before the start of the course.

You may find more information in our FAQ: https://phd.moodle.aau.dk/local/page/faq 

For inquiries not described in the FAQ, please contact the PhD administration at phdcourses@adm.aau.dk. When contacting us please state the course title and course period. Thank you.