PhD Beyond 50 Webinar: Making Supervision Work as a Mature PhD Student

PhD Beyond 50 Webinar

'Making Supervision Work as a Mature PhD Student'

Systems, Self, and Relationships

The PhD Beyond 50 presents the Quarterly Webinar.

A webinar to support those beginning or settling into their PhD journeys later in life.

Date: Thursday, 29 January 2026
Time:
5:00–7:00 PM (UK / GMT)
6:00–8:00 PM (WAT)
12:00–2:00 PM (Eastern Time, USA)
9:00–11:00 AM (Pacific Time, USA)

Venue: Online on Teams

About the Webinar

Supervision sits at the centre of the PhD experience, yet it is one of the least explained and most misunderstood parts of doctoral study, especially for mature learners.

Many doctoral students return to academia with established professional identities, family responsibilities, and full lives already in motion. Navigating supervision in this context can raise quiet questions around guidance, responsibility, feedback, expectations, and power dynamics.

Rather than focusing on theory, this session explores supervision as it is lived, operational, relational, and deeply personal.

What This Session Will Explore

The webinar is structured around three connected areas delivered by three speakers:

Understanding the Systems of Supervision
Led by Dr Anna Molnár

Taking Ownership of Your PhD Journey
Led by Dr Ifeoma Dan-Ogosi

Managing the Supervision Relationship as a Mature Learner
Led by Bishop Bob Alonge

Who This Webinar Is For

Mature and non-traditional PhD students
Those considering doctoral study and wanting clarity before starting
Doctoral researchers navigating complex supervisory relationships
Academics and professionals returning to study after time away

What You Will Gain

Understand how supervision systems work in practice
Gain clarity on your role and responsibilities as a doctoral researcher
Develop strategies for managing supervisory relationships with confidence
Feel better equipped to engage supervision as a collaborative process