PhD Defence by Sofie Kobayashi

The Department of Science Education announces the public defence of the PhD thesis: "Learning dynamics in doctoral supervision" by cand. agro. Sofie Kobayashi.

Principal supervisor: Associate professor Camilla Rump, Department of Science Education, University of Copenhagen

Co-supervisor: Professor Brian W. Grout, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen.

The defence is followed by a reception in lecture hall A2-84.11. Please contact study secretary Nadja Nordmaj if any questions regarding the defence.

Assessment Committee

Associate professor Lene Møller Madsen (Chair), Department of Science Education, University of Copenhagen

Professor Pam Denicolo, Centre for Inter-professional Postgraduate Education and Training, University of Reading, UK

Professor Per Lauvås, Høgskolen i Østfold, Norway

Short abstract

This doctoral research explores doctoral supervision within life science research in a Danish university. From one angle it investigates doctoral students’ experiences with strengthening the relationship with their supervisors through a structured meeting with the supervisor, prepared as part of an introduction course for new doctoral students. This study showed how the course provides an effective way build supervisee agency and strengthening supervisory relationships through clarification and alignment of expectations and sharing goals about doctoral studies. From the other angle the research investigates learning opportunities in supervision with multiple supervisors. This was investigated through observations and recording of supervision, and subsequent analysis of transcripts. The analyses used different perspectives on learning; learning as participation, positioning theory and variation theory. The research illuminates how learning opportunities are created in the interaction through the scientific discussions. It also shows how multiple supervisors can contribute to supervision by providing new perspectives and opinions that have a potential for creating new understandings. The combination of different theoretical frameworks from the perspectives of learning as individual acquisition and a sociocultural perspective on learning contributed to a nuanced illustration of the otherwise implicit practices of supervision.

Full text of dissertation

A pdf-version of the thesis accepted for defence can be downloaded through the following link:

Learning Dynamics in Doctoral Supervision (pdf) 

A printed and revised version of the thesis will later be published by the Department of Science Education in DSE Papers - "IND's skriftserie".