Higher Education Research & Development · 2012 · 137 citations · 42 references
EducationSociologyCounselor SupervisionInterpersonal CommunicationWorkplace LearningIndividual SupervisionPower In SupervisionSupervisee DevelopmentSupervision ModelsSupervision ProcessSupervisory RelationshipInterpersonal Dynamics In SupervisionNeutral TerritoryPersonal ReflectionSemi-structured InterviewsSupervision TheoriesSupervisor AuthoritySupervisor-student RelationshipSupervisor-supervisee Relationship
Literature has examined supervisory relationships but has largely ignored the content of meetings, noting that supervision over coffee occupies a neutral, informal space. The study investigates the role of coffee in postgraduate supervision, situating it within contemporary debates on supervisory models, styles, tasks, and dimensions. Through semi‑structured interviews, informal discussions, a literature review, and personal reflection, the authors apply the concepts of third places and Misztal’s informality theory to argue that coffee‑based supervision conveys a relationship incompatible with expert‑disciple models. The paper concludes that supervision over coffee establishes a neutral, informal supervisory relationship distinct from traditional expert‑disciple models.
A great deal of literature in recent years has focused on the supervisory relationship, yet very little has been written about the nature or content of supervisory meetings, beyond commenting on the frequency and length of meetings. Through semi-structured interviews, informal discussions with colleagues and students, a critical review of literature and personal reflection, this paper explores the salience of coffee for postgraduate supervision. This paper locates supervisions over coffee in reference to contemporary debates about the supervisory relationship (models, styles, tasks and dimensions). Using the concept of ‘third places’ and Misztal's theorisation of informality, it is argued that supervision over coffee conveys a particular supervisory relationship to postgraduate students: one that is incompatible with expert-disciple models or styles of supervision. Instead, supervision over coffee is on neutral territory and on a more informal footing. Finally the paper concludes with discussion about fin...
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