Supervising the Creative Arts Research Higher Degree: Towards Best Practice

Abstract

Those who teach in the creative arts in the higher education sector in Australia, New Zealand, the UK and elsewhere will be sensitive to the current emphasis on doctoral enrolments and completions, and to ongoing debates around the quality and impact of creative work in national research environments. Supervisors of creative arts research higher degrees (RHDs) will also acknowledge the value of having an intellectually and creatively engaged cohort of postgraduate candidates who complete their degrees on time, capably and without undue stress. Research postgraduate students enliven and enrich our academic communities, and helping them to gain their degrees and embark on new or enhanced careers can be a high point in academic working lives. Against this background, competent supervision of research higher degree students, informed by knowledge of disciplinary best practice, becomes increasingly important.