Abstract
Abstract:
Background: Supervision is a complex enactment of research identity formation as well as the production of new knowledge and provides opportunities for the mutual research growth of candidates and supervisors.
Aims: The purpose of this paper is to illustrate how relationality across difference can be developed in supervision that seeks to learn from First Nations commitments to reciprocal relationality and inter-generational and intercultural pedagogies (Manathunga et al., 2025; Manathunga et al., 2022; Keane et al., 2023)
Theory and methods: Drawing upon a combination of postcolonial and decolonial theory (Chakrabarty, 2007; Smith, 2020; Maldonado-Torres, 2011) and life history (Dhunpath & Samuel, 2009; Goodson et al, 2017) and visual time-mapping methodologies (Manathunga et al., 2021), we seek to illustrate how entangled relationality in supervision amidst candidate and supervisor diversity operates. In this paper, life history and time mapping methodologies were used with 4 supervisors and 2 candidates to articulate their intellectual and cultural life journeys that have led them to research and form the basis of deep relationality between doctoral candidates and supervisors.
Findings: The research uncovered how understanding more about each other’s intellectual and cultural life journeys and motivations for engaging in research creates opportunities for mutually trusting and respectful relationality in supervision. We also found that cultural differences can act as key generator of learning and growth for candidates and supervisors. This paper discusses the implications of using life history and time mapping methodologies to build greater relationality between candidates and supervisors.
Implications, Impact and Relevance: The application of First Nations commitments to reciprocal relationality and inter-generational and intercultural pedagogies to doctoral supervision provides a unique lens through which to create additional opportunities to build relationality in doctoral supervision. This is likely to improve the supervision of Indigenous and culturally diverse candidates and to work towards epistemic and social justice.