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Coffee Morning for Supervisors: "Unlocking Excellence: How Supervisors Can Enable Talent and Drive Research Success" 

20/03 10:30 – 12:00

Online (Teams)
The Coffee Morning will be held in English.

Doctoral supervision is a critical lever for academic excellence. Yet many supervisors underestimate how relational dynamics and cultural sensitivity shape research performance. When doctoral candidates feel unsupported or misunderstood, the consequences—conflict, burnout, and underperformance—are not just personal; they impact research quality, completion rates, and institutional reputation.

This talk explores how supervisors can get the most out of their candidates by fostering an environment that enables talent and ambition.

By adopting these practices, supervisors can transform potential into achievement—ensuring candidates thrive and research outputs meet the highest standards. The session will provide actionable insights for supervisors who want to combine academic rigor with an inclusive, supportive approach that drives success. 

➤ The Coffee Morning will be conducted by Sean Bex. Sean Bex is Head of Research Projects at Ghent University, where he leads the strategic coordination of EU, regional, and non-EU grant support teams. He shapes cross-cutting research policies, advises on university-wide regulations related to research funding and management, and ensures institutional compliance and legal oversight. He represents UGent in higher education fora such as the ENLIGHT university alliance and manages strategic research delegations.

Previously, Sean coordinated the Doctoral School at Ghent University, with a focus on the wellbeing of Early Career Researchers (ECRs). He holds a PhD in English Literature with a focus on human rights and has built policymaking expertise at the UK House of Commons (constitutional affairs, ombuds services), the Embassy of Belgium in the UK (Brexit, higher education), and the UK Cabinet Office (Brexit and Northern Ireland; COVID). 

Register HERE. The registration is open until 18. märts 2026.

In case of questions, please turn to Hele-Riin Urmet, ‎.

Estonian Doctoral School joint event.