Alan Everett - Honours Supervision Award

'Excellence in Teaching - what is it?'

I have no simple formula for the ideal supervision of honours' students. I enjoy the process because it entails research in my area of interest and that, above all, probably spills over into my role as a supervisor. Honours is too intense for feelings of uncertainty and insecurity so ensuring students feel comfortable with the road ahead is an issue. Nurturing a sense of belonging is also important and I try to extend this beyond the laboratory and make my students feel part of the fabric of the department. Instilling a sense of ownership of their work can only be helpful by giving them their own project, their own space in my laboratory and freedom to make their own decisions. Something seems to be working.