Being a PhD supervisor is just one of (many!) responsibilities we have as part of our academic commitments. Supervising doctoral students goes beyond providing intellectual support and critical feedback about their research – it is also about helping them to develop the skills and capabilities needed to succeed in the post-doctoral academic world and beyond. One of the most impactful ways to support our students is by encouraging, supporting and even facilitating their professional networking. We all understand how important networking is, both within and outside our respective disciplines. For doctoral students, it is key to gaining insights, finding peers and potential collaborators, and increasing their own visibility in the academic community. Here are some tips on how PhD supervisors can proactively support professional networking for their students.
An early start – emphasise the value of networking from the beginning
Most doctoral students are exclusively focused on their thesis during the early stages of their research journey. Rewriting the proposal, amending aim and objectives, or starting the literature review are among the key priorities in the first year. While this is to be expected, it is equally important to help them appreciate the value of professional networking from the outset. It is the role of supervisors to stress that academic networking is a vital and rewarding component of academic life. For example, by sharing personal experiences where networking led to opportunities such as collaborations, publications, or even job offers.
An easy first step is to encourage students to join campus-based academic circles and social groups. During my own time as a PhD student, I was introduced to a few student-led seminar and tutorial groups. Writing doctoral-level research is an intellectually challenging exercise which requires thousands of hours of studying, very often in isolation from the rest of the world. Being part of those groups, significantly helped me manage my anxiety, stress and lack of confidence in my first year.
In addition, supervisors should also introduce students to some of their own academic circles which are more likely to be wide professional networks built over years of academic engagements. At this level of studies, PhD students are already equipped with a valuable skill set and can meaningfully contribute to projects or collaborative work. Making introductions to colleagues, collaborators or even other more advanced PhD students can facilitate new connections. Likewise, inviting students to join seminars, workshops or guest lectures will also help expand their academic networks.
Conference participation
It is widely recommended that students start attending conferences early in their research journey. Such an active encouragement is well justified by opportunities to meet peers, present their initial ideas and receive feedback, gain public speaking experience, and improve their academic portfolio of engagements. However, equally important is recognising that conferences are social events – genuine opportunities for students, early career researchers and experienced academics to get together. While most research-active universities host an annual conference, it is important for PhD supervisors to actively promote external engagements and conference participation. On one hand, such events will undoubtedly act as an arena for PhD students to practice preparing abstracts and poster presentations and to gain confidence in presenting their work to others. On another hand, such events may also provide opportunities for students to apply for funding (e.g. travel grant, small grants to be used for fieldwork, library visits, etc.). For me, attending conferences in my early years, was an invaluable opportunity which offered a glimpse into academic life and helped shape my aspirations. Networking with peers and experienced scholars with similar interests made it all worthwhile.
Online presence and personal branding
The days when PhD students spent most of their time hidden away in libraries and archives are long gone. It is more important than ever to establish a strong digital presence and share your research with others. While attending conferences is a valuable thing to do, academic visibility extends far beyond attending in-person events. PhD supervisors should encourage students to establish their own ‘academic’ early in their research journey. Firstly, it is essential for each student to have an active and constantly updated LinkedIn profile. This will enhance their visibility and serve as a reference to their work, achievements and career trajectory. Secondly, all PhD students should create and maintain their profiles on platforms such as Research Gate and Academia. Thirdly, joining newsletters, online forums, or discussion groups is also another way to establish a credible digital footprint that supports future job searches and academic collaborations.
Professional Associations and Memberships
Academic societies and professional bodies can also serve as networking hubs and provide opportunities for students to engage and interact with other peers and experienced scholars. While we expect our students to take initiative and join such societies, supervisors can also support them with an initial introduction or invite to a specific event based on the student’s research areas. During my PhD, I joined the Royal Geographical Society and International Geographical Union. Being a member allowed to take part at various events (some of which specifically organised for PhD students), present at conferences, join special interest groups and committees. It should be highlighted here that supervisors should lead by example. What sometimes remain neglected is that PhD supervisors are regarded as role models and they often serve as an inspiration for their own students. Therefore, being an active researcher and a regulator presenter/contributor to academic events will also stimulate our students to take part. At the same time, however, it is important to encourage our students to be genuine and authentic. Networking should be about building genuine, mutually beneficial relationships – not self-promotion or showcasing their research and achievements.
Conclusion
Professional networking is a critical yet often overlooked aspect of PhD development. As a supervisor, your encouragement and example can have a lasting impact. By promoting strategic engagement with academic communities, digital platforms, and peer networks, you empower your students to build the relationships and visibility necessary for long-term success. Networking is not just about who you know. It is about how you grow!
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