It Takes a Village: Interpersonal Relationships and Relational Labour in Doctoral Student Cosupervision

Abstract

Doctoral supervision plays a central role in doctoral students’ research development, academic socialization, and overall progression within doctoral education. As cosupervision has become increasingly common in contemporary doctoral programmes, supervisory relationships now often involve multiple supervisors collaborating with a doctoral student. While such arrangements can broaden intellectual support and expertise, they also introduce additional relational complexity. This study examines how interpersonal relationships and relational labour shape doctoral co-supervision practices. The analysis draws on semi-structured interviews with eleven participants at Lund University, including seven doctoral students and four supervisors engaged in cosupervised doctoral projects. Using a thematic analysis approach, the study identifies two key dynamics characterizing co-supervision relationships: harmony and friction. Harmonious co-supervision was associated with complementary supervisory expertise, clear communication, and trustful working relationships. At the same time, participants reported tensions arising from differing expectations, supervisory styles, and research priorities. These tensions were often managed through dialogue and negotiation and were sometimes perceived as part of the research process. The findings highlight the importance of all parties involved being aware of and acknowledging the relational labour involved in sustaining co-supervision over the course of the doctoral studies.