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UKCGE Research Supervision Accreditation

Get support from OD&PL to apply for the UK Council for Graduate Education (UKCGE) Research Supervision Accreditation, providing an opportunity to reflect on your practice, explore the practice of others and other modes of practice. You’ll also have chance to identify your leadership style in the context of supervision and get recognition for your work and enhance your CV.

There are two levels of recognition, depending on your level of experience:

  • Recognised Supervisor (full award) is for those who have seen doctoral candidates through final examination and completion.
  • Recognised Associate Supervisor is for postdoctoral researchers and technicians who have supervised or mentored postgraduate students and other researchers within the group.

Supporting your application

There are usually three windows throughout the year for submission. Upcoming windows are:

  • 1 July 2024 – 23 October 2024 (Expected outcome: January 2025)
  • 28 October 2024 - 19 March 2025 (Expected outcome: June 2025)
  • 24 March 2025 - 18 June 2025 (Expected outcome: September 2025)

To access support from OD&PL, you will need to:

Step One

Complete the appropriate UKCGE expression of interest form:

Step Two

Sign up to the Research Supervision Development Community on MS Teams.

For Full Recognition

Contact Jenny Rivas-Perez for application support (J.A.RivasPerez@leeds.ac.uk)

For Associate Level Recognition

Contact Heledd Jarosz-Griffiths for application support (H.H.Griffiths@leeds.ac.uk)

UKCGE Recognised Associate Research Supervisor (RARS) Award Programme

Are you a postdoctoral researcher, technical staff member, or professional staff contributing to doctoral (PhD student) supervision?

The UKCGE Recognised Associate Research Supervisor (RARS) Award acknowledges and celebrates your essential role in supporting doctoral researchers, even when you may not be formally part of a supervisory team.

Join our upcoming programme to gain formal recognition of your contributions to research supervision.

When and where does the programme take place?

The programme will be delivered online in three cohorts to align with UKCGE submission window deadlines in March, June and October 2025.

Booking is open now for Cohort 1 (March deadline), Cohort 2 (June deadline) and Cohort 3 (October deadline) workshops.

What does the programme involve?

The RARS Award Programme is designed to guide and support you through your application. Each cycle will feature an information webinar which will help you to decide if its the right time to apply. Following this there will be four guided writing workshops.

  • Information Webinar: Introduction to RARS Award Programme and the UKCGE application process.
  • Four Guided Writing Workshops (Booking link below):
    • Workshop 1: Foundations of Effective Supervision (Focus: Introduction and supervisor observation)
    • Workshop 2: Building Strong Supervisor Relationships (Focus: Dynamics between candidates and co-supervisors
    • Workshop 3: Exploring Key Elective Criteria (Focus: Deep dive into criteria 4, 5, 7 and 9)
    • Workshop 4: Reflecting and Growing as a Supervisor (Focus: Enhancing practice through reflection and feedback)

Each workshop offers practical guidance, peer discussion, and reflective exercises to help you articulate your supervisory achievements and craft a compelling application.

What will you gain from the programme?

By participating, you will:

  • Build a Peer Network: Share insights and learn from others in a supportive environment.
  • Recognise Your Contributions: Reflect on your supervisory style, achievements, and experiences.
  • Enhance Your Practices: Build effective relationships and plan for professional growth.
  • Develop Your Application Skills: Learn to develop a structured and impactful application.

Does it count towards my 10 days development time?

Yes, this support programme is counts towards the 10 days’  professional development time written into your contract.

Attendance is only registered on SAP if all four guided writing workshops are attended.

Interested in booking on to the programme?

The next information webinar, 'Introduction to RARS Award Programme and the UKCGE application process' will be held on 27 March 2025, 11-11.45am

Register for Information Webinar

Guided Writing Workshops:

Cohort 1

  • Workshop 1: Foundations of Effective Supervision – 22 January 2025, 2-4pm
  • Workshop 2: Building Strong Supervisor Relationships – 4 February 2025, 2-4pm
  • Workshop 3: Exploring Key Elective Criteria – 19 February 2025, 2-4pm
  • Workshop 4: Reflecting and Growing as a Supervisor – 5 March 2025, 2-4pm

Cohort 2

  • Workshop 1: Foundations of Effective Supervision – 10 April 2025, 2-4pm
  • Workshop 2: Building Strong Supervisor Relationships – 1 May 2025, 2-4pm
  • Workshop 3: Exploring Key Elective Criteria – 15 May 2025, 2-4pm
  • Workshop 4: Reflecting and Growing as a Supervisor – 5 June 2025, 2-4pm

Cohort 3

  • Workshop 1: Foundations of Effective Supervision – 14 July 2025, 2-4pm
  • Workshop 2: Building Strong Supervisor Relationships – 02 September 2025, 2-4pm
  • Workshop 3: Exploring Key Elective Criteria – 16 September 2025, 2-4pm
  • Workshop 4: Reflecting and Growing as a Supervisor – 7 October 2025, 2-4pm
Book onto Cohort 1 RARS Award Workshops Book on to Cohort 2 RARS Award Workshops Book onto Cohort 3 RARS Award Workshops