The Evolving Role of Mentors and Supervisors in Graduate Education

Mentors and supervisors play pivotal roles in the preparation, development, and experiences of graduate students. While supervisors oversee professional knowledge and skill development, mentors often provide support in both the personal and professional growth of graduate students. Ensuring graduate students are prepared to be innovative problem solvers and direct objective, original, and ethically-sound research are at the core of good mentorship and supervision. Often, however, these roles are not adequately acknowledged, supported, or rewarded. In addition, mentoring and supervision changed drastically during the global pandemic, moving almost exclusively to a virtual setting.

The 2022 Global Summit on Graduate Education attendees considered the ways in which graduate education leaders across the world guide and reward these crucial roles that are fundamental to both intellectual and creative productivity.