2. Sep 2026
[GRADSAplus] Successful Collaboration with Your Supervisor (October 16, 2026 | onsite)
Communication, Role Clarity and Confidence in Doctoral Supervision
The relationship with your supervisor plays an important role in a successful doctorate. Yet roles, responsibilities and mutual expectations in doctoral supervision are not always clearly discussed. Different communication styles and perspectives are part of academic collaboration and can sometimes lead to challenging situations.
This workshop supports doctoral researchers in actively shaping their supervisory relationship. You will reflect on what good supervision means to you, clarify roles and mutual expectations, and explore how supervision agreements and institutional frameworks can provide orientation and serve as useful communication tools.
A particular focus will be on communication: How can you address expectations and needs clearly? How can you give and receive feedback constructively? And how can you communicate with clarity and confidence when situations become challenging?
Specific Topics
- Expectations, roles and responsibilities in doctoral supervision
- Supervision agreements and institutional frameworks as tools for orientation and communication
- Clear and constructive communication with supervisors
- Communicating with clarity and confidence in challenging situations in doctoral supervision
- Reflection on real-life cases and experiences in doctoral supervision
Target Audience
Doctoral researchers at any stage of their doctorate who would like to strengthen their collaboration and communication with their supervisor while further developing their communication skills in academia.
Terms and Application
- Date: October 16, 2026
- Time: 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
- Format: on-site
- Location: LegalTechLab JTC, Große Steinstraße 79/80, 06108 Halle (Saale)
- Group size: 12
- Workshop-Language: English
Registration
Trainer
The workshop is led by Dr. Merlinda Dalipi, who earned her doctorate in Comparative and International Education at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and has more than 20 years of professional experience as a trainer, coach, mediator, and higher education expert. Her extensive experience in academia includes more than ten years in the International Office at Humboldt-Universität, where she coordinated support and professional development programs for doctoral candidates, postdocs, and international researchers. She works with universities and research institutions, focusing on communication, collaboration, conflict management, resilience, and self-leadership in academia. Her work combines academic expertise with practical tools, reflection, and real-life cases, supporting researchers in developing clarity, confidence, and concrete strategies for their everyday academic lives.
