Exploring the Challenges of Supervising Doctoral Students Working on Sustainability Research

Abstract

This paper explores the challenges associated with supervising doctoral students
working on sustainability research. The paper is based on 11 interviews with researchers at 6
different departments or centres at Lund University in Sweden. The total number of doctoral
students supervised or currently being supervised by the interviewed researchers is over 100
cases. The interviews show that the key characteristics of sustainability research are that it is
inter-disciplinary and problem-oriented. Also, there is no common theoretical framework. Instead
various frameworks are used depending on the research question at hand. These characteristics
create challenges for PhD supervision that are addressed in different ways. For example, the lack
of a well-defined theoretical framework often brings about the feeling of insecurity, in particular
among doctoral students. Many of the interviewed supervisors therefore pay great attention to
empowerment of their doctoral students. Another challenge lies in that the supervisors are usually
not experts in the field. The supervisors must therefore encourage and help the students to
actively search for knowledge and expertise from other people from different disciplines.
Openness and respect for other disciplines or research fields are thus important qualities for both
supervisors and doctoral students. Good communication skills, in particular with regard to
writing, are also highly valued.