Table of Contents

1. Understanding Impact-Focused Research

2. Key Responsibilities

3. The Supervision Process

4. Balancing Impact and Academic Requirements

5. Supporting Student Well-being

6. Ethical Considerations

7. Resources for Supervisors

Understanding Impact-Focused Research

Impact-focused research aims to address pressing global challenges and create positive change. As a supervisor, it's important to:

• Familiarize yourself with Effective Thesis's priority cause areas

• Understand the principles of effective altruism and how they apply to research

• Stay updated on current global challenges and neglected research areas

Key Responsibilities

As a supervisor of impact-focused research, your role includes:

1. Guiding Topic Selection: Help students refine their research questions to maximize potential impact while ensuring academic feasibility.

2. Methodology Support: Assist in developing robust research methodologies that can yield meaningful results.

3. Impact Assessment: Guide students in evaluating the potential and actual impact of their research.

4. Interdisciplinary Navigation: Support students in bridging disciplines when necessary for comprehensive problem-solving.

5. Ethical Oversight: Ensure research adheres to ethical standards, especially when dealing with sensitive topics or vulnerable populations.

6. Career Guidance: Offer insights on how the research can contribute to impactful career paths.

The Supervision Process

1. Initial Meeting

• Discuss the student's interests and align them with high-impact research areas

• Set clear expectations for the supervision relationship

• Establish a meeting schedule and communication channels

2. Research Proposal Development

• Guide the student in crafting a proposal that balances academic requirements with potential for real-world impact

• Encourage thinking about theory of change and impact measurement from the outset

3. Regular Check-ins

• Hold consistent meetings to review progress, address challenges, and provide feedback

• Encourage students to reflect on the broader implications of their work

4. Mid-point Review

• Conduct a comprehensive review halfway through the project

• Assess progress towards both academic and impact goals

• Make adjustments to the research plan if necessary

5. Final Stages

• Guide the student in effectively communicating their findings and potential impact

• Discuss possibilities for disseminating the research beyond academia

6. Post-Submission Reflection

• Reflect with the student on the research process and outcomes

• Explore potential next steps, including further research or practical applications of findings

Balancing Impact and Academic Requirements

One of the key challenges in supervising impact-focused research is maintaining a balance between academic rigor and real-world applicability. Here are some strategies:

• Encourage students to frame their research questions in ways that satisfy both academic criteria and impact potential

• Help students identify methodologies that are academically sound and capable of producing actionable insights

• Guide students in writing up their research in a way that speaks to both academic and non-academic audiences

• Discuss how theoretical frameworks can be applied to real-world problems

Supporting Student Well-being

Researching challenging global issues can be emotionally taxing. As a supervisor, it's important to:

• Be aware of the potential emotional impact of the research topics

• Encourage self-care and maintain open communication about well-being

• Know the mental health resources available at your institution and through Effective Thesis

• Help students maintain perspective and celebrate small wins along the way

Ethical Considerations

Impact-focused research often involves complex ethical considerations. Ensure that you:

• Are familiar with ethical guidelines in relevant fields

• Guide students through ethical approval processes when necessary

• Discuss potential unintended consequences of the research and mitigation strategies

• Encourage students to consider the broader ethical implications of their work

Resources for Supervisors

To support you in your role, we offer the following resources:

• Supervisor's Handbook: A comprehensive guide to supervising impact-focused research

• Webinars: Regular online sessions on various aspects of impactful research supervision

• Peer Network: Connect with other supervisors to share experiences and best practices

• Impact Assessment Tools: Resources to help evaluate the potential and actual impact of research projects

Join Our Supervisor Community

Supervising impact-focused research can be incredibly rewarding. We invite you to join our community of supervisors dedicated to guiding the next generation of researchers in creating positive change.