ABSTRACT
In this chapter we reflect on the relevance of the practitioner/researcher identity, the process of embodied, relational supervision and the importance of reflexivity. In our PhD supervisory relationship Linda (doctoral student) entered the academy from a career in homelessness services. Linda recently completed her doctorate, supervised by a team led by Geraldine (Director of Studies). In her former role Linda experienced supervision as a space to discuss her work and to gain support. Attending supervision as a researcher did not therefore seem new and required little explanation. Yet, doctoral supervision was experienced differently than workplace supervision – the ‘personal’ and the ‘professional’ were perceived to be far less distinct. Influenced by feminist approaches to research and teaching we suggest that supervision can be about the establishment of a space for creativity, scholarly activity and emotional labour, which takes place at the interface of divisions of public/private, insider/outsider, expert/novice. Our journey together has taught us lessons about ourselves, about gender, social class, about the importance of support and most importantly about the value of relational doctoral supervision.
