Can I speak to you in confidence? How tutoring can play a role in creating trusting research cultures

A recent research study (Guccione, 2018a) documented the challenges that UK doctoral students and doctoral supervisors commonly experience. The following reflection on practice follows up on one of the findings of that report: that the department, school or faculty level postgraduate research tutor (PGRT [synonyms: eg postgraduate research lead, postgraduate research convenor, head of doctoral studies]) is a designated and visible point of contact who can support good supervision, and guide processes for resolving supervisory tensions. The PGRT plays a role in building trust and collegiality within research cultures.