ɬÀï·¬

Annual National Conference on Graduate Supervision

Promotional poster for the Annual Conference on Graduate Supervision

Logos of ɬÀï·¬, the University of Regina, the First Nations University of Canada, and the National Community of Practice on Graduate Supervision

Relationship Matters: Strategies for Inclusive and Supportive Supervision

ɬÀï·¬ is proud to host the third annual national online conference on graduate supervision in partnership with the University of Regina, the First Nations University of Canada, and the CAGS .Ìý

Graduate supervisors from across the country are invited to attend this year's half day conference,ÌýRelationship Matters: Strategies for Inclusive and Supportive Supervision, on Friday, May 8th, 2026. Recognizing the supervisory relationship as the backbone of graduate student success and satisfaction, this year's panelists will offer practical strategies for fostering inclusion and robust support for graduate students.Ìý

Following an open session on effective, growth oriented feedback, a panel of supervisors and supervisees will share their experiences and innovative approaches to building flexible and successful supervisory relationships. The last session of the day will focus on strategies for promoting graduate student professional development as a supervisor.Ìý

  • Date and time: 12:00-3:45 pm (ET). Friday, May 8th, 2026
  • Location: Online (Teams Webinar)

Welcome and Opening Remarks - 12:00 - 12:05 pm ET

Speaker:

  • Dr. Annie Pilote, Dean, Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, Université Laval and Member of the Board of Directors, Canadian Association for Graduate Studies (CAGS).Ìý

Strategies for Inclusive and Growth-Oriented Feedback in Graduate Supervision - 12:05-1:00 pm ET

Description: While central to the supervisory relationship, poorly formulated, late, or non-existent feedback is a barrier to graduate student success and a frequent source of conflict in supervisory relationships. However, constructive and effective feedback can have a lasting, positive impact on graduate students and lead to more resilient and productive supervisory relationships. In this session, ɬÀï·¬'s Associate Deans of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies share recommendations and practical strategies for clear, growth-oriented feedback in graduate supervision.

Speakers:

  • Dr. Lorraine Chalifour, Associate Dean, Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, ɬÀï·¬Ìý
  • Dr. Tabitha Sparks, Associate Dean, Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, ɬÀï·¬
  • Dr. Russell Steele, Associate Dean, Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, ɬÀï·¬

Moderator:

  • Dr. Ross Swanson, Academic Projects Officer, Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, ɬÀï·¬

Supervisor-Supervisee Panel: Building Inclusive and Supportive Supervisory Relationships - 1:15 - 2:15 pm ET

Description: This panel brings together supervisor and supervisee perspectives on building effective, inclusive, student-centered supervisory relationships. The panelists will share their stories of navigating diverse challenges together to ensure ensure graduate student success. Attendees can expect to learn strategies and approaches for fostering positive supervisory relationship from the lived experiences of the panelists.Ìý

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  • Dr. Aparna Nadig, Associate Professor, School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, ɬÀï·¬Ìý
  • Ms. Kouro-Maïram Baro, MSc Communication Sciences and Disorders, ɬÀï·¬
  • Dr. Kelvin Tsun Wai Ng, Professor, Environmental Systems Engineering, University of Regina
  • Dr. Amy Richter, Assistant Professor, Environmental Systems Engineering, University of Regina

Moderator:

  • Ms. Steffy Velosa, Funding and Supervision Commissioner, Post-Graduate Students' Society, and PhD Candidate (Geography), ɬÀï·¬

Supporting Graduate Student Professional Development as a Supervisor - 2:30-3:30 pm ET

¶Ù±ð²õ³¦°ù¾±±è³Ù¾±´Ç²Ô:ÌýEvidence from the recent gradSERU survey at ɬÀï·¬ shows that the top source of stress for doctoral students is "finding desirable employment after completing my degree." This session will offer helpful insights into the important role that supervisors play in supporting graduate student professional development, and strategies for improving communication, offering advice, and expanding graduate student networks in support of their career goals.Ìý

Speaker:Ìý

  • Ms. Lorna MacEachern, Associate Director - Engagement, Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, ɬÀï·¬

Moderator:Ìý

  • Dr. Patricia Pelufo Silveira, Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, ɬÀï·¬

Closing Remarks - 3:30-3:45 pm ET

Speaker:

  • Dr. Aziz Douai, Dean, Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, University of Regina and Member of the Board of Directors, Canadian Association for Graduate Studies (CAGS).Ìý

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Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, ɬÀï·¬.

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