Complex contexts, relations and practices: the space for research supervision

The face of research supervision has shifted in ways largely anticipated but increasingly complex. With growing attention to quality assurance processes and national research training schemes that focus on successful but also timely completion of research degrees, research supervision has now come under the spotlight for closer examination. In a context of performativity where performance is linked to economic gain, we find ourselves supervising within a knowledge economy where knowledge is a central input but also a significant output. Hence, the context in which supervision occurs is under increased pressure---pressure to yield knowledge in forms that count and in timelines that fit with relatively newly created and tight boundaries. Always a complex task, even when viewed strictly from the traditional expert scholar/apprentice model, supervision is now situated within a pressured performance context in terms of research training, but also within a context incorporating broadening research degree frameworks and modes of presentation across global communication possibilities. Further, with growing attention on the demands of risk management in a litigious world, research supervision treads on ground less smooth than once known. However, despite the changing face of research supervision given the shifting pressures, degree types, modalities and so on, research supervision still remains one of the most rewarding (and always challenging) roles within the university (and now beyond with our industry partners and the professions).