One of the major intangible benefits associated with the postgraduate research experience is precisely that: the experience. For many doctoral students that experience is shaped by their relationship with and support from their supervisor. Against a challenging background of growing numbers of students but also increasing pressures on time and costs, Enhancing the Doctoral Experience offers an approach to improve the effectiveness of the doctoral student and increase the professionalization of research supervision. It does so by providing both with an awareness of, and a toolkit to approach, student diversity.

An academic zoologist, Dr Steve Hutchinson moved to staff and research development and led programmes and units at the Universities of York and Leeds. He is now an independent consultant and works internationally to provide development, training and coaching in the education, research and not-for-profit sectors. After completing a PhD in sociolinguistics, Dr Helen Lawrence worked in the higher education sector for a number of years. Now established as an independent development consultant, she works with individuals, teams and institutions in the research, education, small business and not-for-profit sectors. During his PhD in public international law, Dr Dave FilipoviÄ+-Carter first became involved in team development training alongside his teaching. This training work took him to live and work variously in Bulgaria, Hungary, Macedonia and Serbia. Now based in the UK, he runs his own higher education training company delivering skills training and facilitation to researchers at all levels, throughout the UK and the wider Europe. He is also an associate lecturer in law at the Open University.

Contents: Preface; Introducing the UK doctorate in a global context; Doctoral descriptors within the UK framework; Doctoral motivations; Doctoral expectations; Starting the relationship and beginning the journey; Building the relationship; Laying firm intellectual foundations; Scholarly construction; Making an intellectual contribution; Sophisticated thinking; Spreading the message; Onwards and outwards; Fit for purpose? Preparing the candidate for their viva; Final thoughts; References and literature cited; Index.