Cultivating a Community of Practice for UKCGE Supervisor Recognition

Dr Samantha Wilkinson and Dr Harriet Rowley share their experience of establishing a community of practice to support research supervisors working towards UK Council for Graduate Education (UKCGE) Supervisor Recognition.

The UKCGE Supervisor Recognition Scheme provides research supervisors with the opportunity to develop their practice and attain official recognition through structured self-reflection aligned with the good supervisory practice framework. This covers supervisory relationships, research project support, feedback and progress monitoring, career development support, and reflective practice enhancement.

Samantha and Harriet established a faculty-wide community of practice in the Faculty of Health and Education. Between January and June 2024, 11 colleagues from various schools and career stages participated in seven sessions combining structured reflection, peer review, and collaborative writing. 

Participants valued the co-learning approach, with leadership from both someone who had completed the scheme (Samantha) and a current applicant (Harriet). The video discusses plans for scaling up the initiative university-wide and creating ongoing spaces for peer exchange and professional development, including encouraging successful applicants to become scheme reviewers and peer mentors for future cohorts.