The Australian Association of Writing Programs

Tomorrow the world changes. Probably not.
I'm doing this first entry at the AAWP conference 2007, ...and is, at Canberra university.
I'm supervising nearly ten PhD students and three Masters students at Melbourne Uni, always amazed at the hard work and creativity and seriousness of postgraduate students.
I find I work best by being a reader for students, once the initial ideas-discussion period has passed. I insist (gently) on being given something to read before each meeting with a student. This seems to ensure that the PhD progresses, and it gives me a task that is recordable and useful to the process. this also offers a rhythm to the experience, and the possibility of a warning-signal when things are not progressing. If there isn't work to read before a supervision session, then we can usefully talk about how the writing might be planned for and what might be achievable.
I would lovej to see others reflecting on their supervision practice, and students' refelctions on their experiences.