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John Cairns/Medical Sciences Division
The award will be made in recognition of excellence in supervising and mentoring DPhil students and postdoctoral researchers. The winner will be announced at the RDM Symposium on Monday 19 March.
What is excellence in supervising and mentoring?
There is no single definition of what constitutes excellence in supervising and mentoring. Each supervision relationship is unique, but there are some broad descriptors that many excellent supervisors embody.
Excellent supervisors nurture their trainees by being available to them, taking an interest in their development and careers, and respecting them, among other things. They are inspiring role models who act as guides, encouraging and challenging their trainees to achieve their potential.
One excellent resource in outlining common themes of outstanding mentors in science is ‘Nature’s guide for mentors’. This will give you a good idea of the kind of things we are looking for.
Who is eligible?
Nominees need to be RDM PIs who have actively supervised DPhil students or postdocs in 2017/18.
Who can make a nomination?
Nominations can be made by RDM DPhil students (including DTC students) and postdocs (current or completed/left the department during 2017/18).
How to make a nomination
Send your nomination to Bob Mahoney (bob.mahoney@rdm.ox.ac.uk) by 12 noon on Wednesday 21 February 2018.
Your nomination should be in the form of a short supporting statement (up to 500 words maximum) setting out concrete examples of how the PI demonstrated excellence in supervising and mentoring DPhil students or postdocs.
Assessment
A small panel consisting of representatives from the RDM Graduate Studies Committee, the RDM Career Development Committee and the RDM Athena SWAN Steering Group, as well as student and postdoc representatives, will read the nominations and select one winner based on the strength of the written support received. Additional commendations may be made at the panel’s discretion.
What will the winner receive?
The RDM Award for Excellent Supervision is titular. The winner will receive a certificate to commemorate their achievement. The winner will be announced at the RDM Symposium on 19 March 2018 and on the RDM website shortly thereafter.
Any enquiries about the award should be sent to Bob Mahoney (bob.mahoney@rdm.ox.ac.uk) for consideration by the relevant committees.