BU Research Blog

The deadline is approaching for BU staff to apply for national accreditation via the UK Council for Graduate Education (UKCGE) Research Supervisor Recognition Programme

This programme provides a formal mechanism for supervisors to evaluate their practice against the Good Supervisory Practice Framework. To date, over 30 BU supervisors have achieved this recognition, identifying strengths and establishing clear pathways for professional growth.

Key Benefits Include:

Methodological Evaluation: Analyse your supervisory methods and decision-making processes.

National Benchmarking: Map your practice against established UK standards of excellence.

Professional Advancement: Identify clear routes for improvement at both Full and Associate award levels.

Award Level 

The Research Supervisor Recognition Programme offers two levels based on your current experience:

Recognised Supervisor (Full Award): For those who have supported doctoral candidates through to final examination and completion.

Recognised Associate Supervisor (Associate Award): For those who have not yet seen a candidate through to completion, or who supervise in an informal capacity.

Application Requirements

1. Reflective Account

Complete a reflective account of your supervisory practice aligned with the Good Supervisory Practice Framework.

Recognised Supervisor Reflective Account Form 

Recognised Associate Supervisor Reflective Account Form 

Find out more about structured self-reflection

2. References and Documentation

To authenticate your account, you must provide the following:

For the Full Award: A reference from a former doctoral candidate AND a reference from a colleague (e.g., a co-supervisor).

For the Associate Award: A reference from a colleague AND a Supervision Observation report.

Along with your application, a formal approval email must be sent from your Associate Dean Research, Innovation and Enterprise directly to researcherdevelopment@bournemouth.ac.uk

Key Information

Peer-reviewed feedback: Applications are reviewed by a two-person panel; you will receive actionable feedback regardless of the outcome.

Fully funded: The Doctoral College covers the full cost of applications for all BU supervisors.

Support: Access guidance and tips from our recent Supervisory Lunchbite workshop here.

FAQs: UKCGE | Frequently Asked Questions

Deadlines

Internal BU Deadline: 9am Monday 16 March 2026

UKCGE Deadline: Friday 20 March 2026

Expected Outcome: June 2026

Submission

Complete applications should be submitted to Julia Taylor (Doctoral College) researcherdevelopment@bournemouth.ac.uk