PhD Supervision Lifecycle Programme at University of Limerick

Criteria for Awarding the Badge:

1. Successful Completion:

• Completion of all 3 core modules.

2. Demonstration of Competence:

• Satisfactory demonstration of knowledge and skills in PhD supervision across the modules.

3. Application to Practice:

• Evidence of the ability to apply module learnings to real-world supervision scenarios.

4. Certification and Recognition:

• The digital badge is awarded upon fulfilling all requirements, serving as recognition of the supervisor’s commitment to professional development in PhD supervision. This structured approach ensures that the digital badge signifies not just the completion of modules but also the application of skills and knowledge in practical supervision contexts.

Mapping the PhD Supervision Lifecycle Digital Badge to the European Competence Framework for Researchers (ResearchComp)

PURPOSE: To provide evidence as to how the competences developed by supervisors completing the three core modules of the PhD Supervision Lifecycle Series align with ResearchComp, the European Competence Framework for Researchers, in order to strengthen the recognition and value of the digital badge.

European Competence Framework for Researchers (ResearchComp)

ResearchComp is the first EU-level competence framework for researchers, developed by the European Commission (DG Research and Innovation) in consultation with Member States and stakeholders, and aligned with the ESCO (European Skills, Competences, Qualifications and Occupations) classification (European Commission — Research and Innovation). It is designed to create a shared language for researchers' transversal competences that is usable by researchers, higher-education institutions, training providers and employers alike (European Commission).

The framework is structured around three dimensions:

• 7 competence areas

• 39 competences

• 389 learning outcomes, organised across 4 proficiency levels: Foundational, Intermediate, Advanced, Expert

The 7 competence areas and their constituent competences are:

Doing Research Have disciplinary expertise · Perform research · Conduct interdisciplinary research · Write research documents · Apply the principles of research ethics and integrity

Managing Research Mobilise resources · Manage research · Negotiate · Evaluate research · Manage research outputs

Making an Impact Participate in the publication process · Disseminate results to the research community · Teach in academic or vocational contexts · Engage with the public about research · Increase the impact of research on policy and society · Promote open innovation · Undertake knowledge exchange

Self-Management Manage personal professional development · Show entrepreneurial spirit · Plan self-organisation · Cope with challenges

Cognitive Abilities Creativity · Problem-solving · Abstract thinking · Critical thinking · Analytical thinking · Strategic thinking · Systematic thinking

Working with Others Interact professionally · Develop networks · Work in teams · Ensure wellbeing at work · Build mentor–mentee relationships · Promote inclusion and diversity

Managing Research Tools Manage research data and materials · Undertake participatory research activities · Understand and manage intellectual property rights · Develop digital proficiency and capabilities

Although ResearchComp was designed primarily to describe the competences of researchers (including PGRs), the same competence set is directly transferable to the supervisory role, since PhD supervision is itself an advanced application of most of these competences (e.g. mentoring, negotiating, evaluating research, managing conflict, ensuring integrity).

Badge Criterion: How ResearchComp maps evidence of competences

1. Successful Completion — all 3 core modules The mapping below covers all learning outcomes from Workshops 1–3, demonstrating how completion maps to a recognised set of transversal competences rather than merely a generic record of attendance.

2. Demonstration of Competence Each learning outcome is mapped to specific ResearchComp competences, giving supervisors an externally-recognised vocabulary for the "knowledge and skills in PhD supervision" the criteria require.

3. Application to Practice Because ResearchComp competences are described across 4 proficiency levels, institutions assessing the badge can request evidence (e.g. a reflective statement, case example, supervision log etc.) that connects directly to the descriptors of the mapped competences.

4. Certification and Recognition Referencing ResearchComp in the badge metadata situates the badge within a European-recognised framework, strengthening its recognition among other institutions, funders, and international peers.

Mapping of module learning outcomes and ResearchComp competences

Workshop 1 — Recruitment, Preparation and Career Planning

• Identify strategies to attract high-quality doctoral candidates Managing Research * Mobilise resources

• Apply ethical principles to PhD recruitment Doing Research *Apply research ethics and integrity principles

• Acquire essential skills and knowledge for effective PhD supervision Working with Others * Build mentor–mentee relationships

• Establish clear expectations and boundaries with new PhD candidates Managing Research *Understand and apply UL's institutional policies, academic regulations and procedures

• Cultivate effective mentoring relationships supporting academic and personal development Working with Others *Build mentor–mentee relationships

• Develop communication skills for constructive feedback and guidance Working with Others * Interact professionally

Workshop 2 — Ongoing Communication

• Assess different PhD supervisory styles and their impact Cognitive Abilities *Critical thinking * Analytical thinking

• Adapt supervisory style to individual candidate needs Self-Management *Manage personal professional development

• Acquire communication strategies for a positive, productive relationship Working with Others *Interact professionally

• Address issues of diversity and implement inclusive supervisory practices Working with Others *Promote inclusion and diversity

• Develop approaches for continuous improvement in supervisory practice Self-Management *Manage personal professional development

• Implement quality assurance measures to ensure adherence to institutional policy Managing Research * Evaluate research

• Address and resolve challenges or conflicts in the supervisory relationship Problem-solving Self-Management *Cope with challenges

Workshop 3 — Preparing for PhD Submission

• Understand preparation strategies for the viva voce and effective defence of research Doing Research *Perform research * Write research documents

• Differentiate thesis types (monograph, article-based, etc.) Doing Research *Write research documents

• Evaluate the expertise and experience of potential examiners Managing Research *Evaluate research

• Demonstrate awareness of, and avoid, conflicts of interest in examiner selection Doing Research *Apply research ethics and integrity principles

• Understand the importance of the external examiner's standing in the field Working with Others *Develop networks

• Recognise the importance of the independence of the viva Chair Doing Research *Apply research ethics and integrity principles

• Demonstrate familiarity with UL PhD regulations to ensure compliance and fairness Managing Research

• Identify opportunities and strategies for ongoing CPD as a supervisor Self-Management *Manage personal professional development

• Stay up-to-date with developments in doctoral education and research Self-Management *Manage personal professional development

• Develop approaches to prepare PhD candidates for career paths within and beyond academia Making an Impact *Increase the impact of research on policy and society

• Guide PGRs in pursuing careers aligned to their research skills and interests Working with Others *Build mentor–mentee relationships

• Explore ways to undertake greater public engagement and dissemination of research Engage with the public about research Making an Impact *Disseminate results to the research community

Summary of Digital Badge in PhD Supervision Lifecycle programme and level of proficiency

Because supervisors completing this programme are already exceptionally qualified researchers, applying these competences to a supervisory context, the badge can be seen as evidence of Intermediate to Advanced proficiency (per ResearchComp's own descriptors, e.g. "Building Independence", "Taking responsibility and guiding others").

Competence Areas across the 3 core modules of the PhD Supervision Lifecycle programme

• Working with Others Strong Mentoring, communication, inclusion, networks — a theme across all three workshops

• Managing Research Strong Alignment with policy, negotiation, evaluation of examiners/theses.

• Doing Research Moderate engagement, although Research Ethics and Integrity are addressed.

• Disciplinary/interdisciplinary research competences are not directly taught (supervisors are assumed to already hold these)

• Self-Management Strong CPD, reflective practice, coping with conflict are learning outcomes

• Making an Impact Workshops touched on public engagement/dissemination and PGR career development. Approaches to publication and open innovation for PGRs not explicitly addressed

• Cognitive Abilities Critical and analytical thinking (e.g. assessing supervisory styles, examiner suitability) implicit but not taught as stand-alone skills

• Managing Research Tools Not covered. Data management, IP rights, participatory research and digital proficiency are absent from the 3 core modules