A paper authored by DEAR Directors Dr Emily HendersonLink opens in a new window and Dr James BurfordLink opens in a new window has been featured in Times Higher Education (THE).  

Their research article titled “Seeking supervisability: the inclusivity implications of doctoral supervisors’ engagement with prospective applicants prior to formal admissions” was published back in May 2024 via Taylor and Francis. With their co-authors Ahmad Akkad, Sophia Kier Byfield and Dangeni, the paper looks at the neglected stage in Doctoral Admissions that is the informal phase which precedes the submission of a formal application, and which involves the circulation of various communications about admissions. They termed this stage ‘pre-application doctoral communications’ (PADCLink opens in a new window). 

The paper draws on an in-depth institutional case study of a research-intensive UK-based university, and focuses specifically on the supervisor participants, where 19 supervisors participated in a six-week solicited diary process, followed by focus group discussions with 11 supervisors.  

Findings show that supervisors are caught between their principles and values and squeeze conditions which impede inclusivity efforts. The paper argues that supervisors’ actions and reactions are produced by and across social, institutional, and personal factors. The paper concludes that formalising PADC may not be ideal or even possible, yet there is scope for improving systems for managing PADC and awareness of inclusivity issues. 

The Times Higher Education article follows an exclusive interview with authors Dr Henderson and Dr Burford, which discussed how late responses to PhD applicant enquiries and lack of signposting might contribute to poor ethnic minority representation at doctoral level. 

Published online on 29th May 2024, the THE article can be accessed at https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/how-will-you-be-my-supervisor-emails-control-entry-phd-studyLink opens in a new window whilst the full research paper can be accessed via Taylor and Francis online at https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02671522.2024.2349989Link opens in a new window