Graduate Supervision Toolkit | FGS

Supporting Graduate Supervision at York University

Welcome to the Graduate Supervision Toolkit where you can explore comprehensive resources to enhance supervisory pedagogy and guidance through best practices. We champion the dignity and value of supervisors and students and support the collaboration and growth in supervisory relationships.

Connect & Learn: Explore upcoming GSSHub Events and Community of Practice Events

NEW! The FGS Graduate Supervision Handbook (pdf) is here!

Explore more resources below to help you connect, plan, support and thrive together in graduate supervision.

Graduate Supervision Handbook (pdf)

This handbook supports graduate supervisors with practical guidance, relational strategies, and thoughtful tools and policies to cultivate respectful, collaborative, and enriching supervision experiences.

International Graduate Student Companion Guide (pdf)

A guide to help supervisors foster equitable, culturally responsive relationships with international graduate students—from first contact to graduation. It is a companion to the Strong Start to Supervision Checklist (pdf).

Supporting Mature and Part-Time Graduate Students Companion Guide (pdf)

A guide that helps supervisors create flexible, inclusive supervision relationships that honour the lives and strengths of students balancing graduate school with work, caregiving, and community commitments.

Writing Centre Guide for Graduate Student Support (pdf)

A guide that invites graduate students and their supervisors to reflect on the often-unspoken dynamics of academic writing, highlighting how reciprocal, respectful communication practices can foster both scholarly success and developmental integrity.

Responding to Graduate Students In Distress (pdf)

This Response Guide for Supervisors offers clear, compassionate guidance to help supervisors recognize signs of distress, respond supportively, refer students to appropriate resources, and reflect on their role and wellbeing through self-care strategies.

Questions to Ask Before Accepting a Graduate Student (pdf)

A guide that supports faculty in making thoughtful, values-aligned decisions by offering essential prompts to reflect on capacity, fit, and readiness before saying yes to supervision.

Graduate Student Skills Inventory (pdf)

A self-assessment tool that helps supervisors and graduate students identify strengths, growth areas, and evolving priorities –laying the groundwork for intentional, collaborative academic skill-building over time.

Gearing Up for Your Defence (pdf)

A guide to help graduate students prepare with clarity and confidence by breaking down what to expect, how to plan, and how to bring their best to the final stage of their program.

Golden Rules for Supervision (pdf)

This guide outlines information for communication, support, professionalism, and shared responsibility to foster effective and sustainable supervisor–student relationships.

Smart Questions, Strong Matches: Navigating the Search for a Graduate Supervisor (pdf)

This guide helps graduate students navigate the search for a supervisor by asking thoughtful questions that foster alignment, clarity, and successful supervisory relationships

Grad Supervision Rooted in Care

Dean Alice MacLachlan explains the supervisory relationship is the beating heart of graduate research pedagogy.

Support Hub for Grad Studies Empowers

A pan-University initiative designed to enhance the quality of graduate supervision is underway at York.

Activism and Academia in Mentorship

Professor Laura Levin explores how artists can spotlight justice issues and build communities.

Building a Collaborative Experience

Professor Kristin Andrews is creating a graduate student experience she would have liked in her grad school days.

Science Grad Students Thrive in Human-centred Supervision

Professor Wendy Taylor is redefining what it means to mentor graduate students in high-stakes science.

The supervision journey is a dynamic and empowering relationship where supervisors and students collaboratively cultivate potential through active listening, constructive feedback, and mutual growth—fostering wellbeing, confidence, autonomy, and academic excellence.

A group of 4 university students with one teacher sitting at a long table discussing a book in a library setting.

Supervisor Hub

The Supervisor Hub is a welcoming space designed to support and guide you through the graduate supervision journey. Access curated resources, practical tools, and insightful guidance offered to empower you in mentoring graduate students effectively and confidently. Elevate your supervisory skills, foster wellbeing, and connect with a community committed to supervisory excellence.

A group of 5 smiling students and 1 teacher standing with arms crossed and holding books in front of a chalkboard filled with formulas.

Student Hub

Navigate your graduate journey with confidence using tailored resources and tools within the Student Hub to enhance your communication skills, optimize your supervisory experience, and drive your academic success.

A person wearing a brown and white striped blouse is sitting at a white desk reading and taking notes with a pen. There are books, a notebook, a smart phone, glasses and a coffee cup and spoon nearby on the desk.

Resource Hub

The Resource Hub brings together a collection of materials, tools, and guidance from Canada and around the world to support supervisors and students as they navigate the many facets of graduate supervision. Whether you are beginning your supervision journey or seeking to enhance your experience, the Resource Hub is here to provide support along the way.