It takes two flints to start a fire: A focus group study into supervision for responsible research

Supervision is one important means of promoting responsible research. However, it is unclear what a responsible supervisor should do and how to foster a responsible supervisory climate. I conducted 17 focus groups with 85 PhD candidates and PhD supervisors to understand 1) what practices supervisors engage in to promote responsible conduct of research among their PhD candidates and 2) what strategies could promote a supervisory relationship characterised by psychological safety and organisational trust. Supervisors were found to promote responsible research practices by rigorously evaluating the relevance of proposed studies, ensuring transparency in reporting, and taking the initiative in establishing clear authorship guidelines. They engaged in critical discussions regarding the alignment between research questions, design, and analyses, and ensured that conclusions were well-supported by the data. Furthermore, supervisors implemented clear data management policies and fostered ethical awareness by normalizing conversations about ethics. They sought to lead by example through clear and coherent writing. To foster a responsible supervisory relationship, supervisors challenged the PhD candidates’ ideas and supported their decision-making processes. They were mindful of the PhD candidates’ backgrounds and needs, tailoring the research trajectory to align it with the PhD candidates’ interests. Supervisors also practised self-awareness, maintained a proper professional distance, and cultivated a culture of care where every contribution was appreciated. A major limitation is that the findings are drawn from North-Western European contexts. I connect these findings to established leadership theories and consider their implications for fostering responsible supervision of PhD candidates.