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Celebrating LBU’s high quality PhD supervision and support
The UKCGE Research Supervision Recognition Programme provides national, peer-reviewed accreditation that recognises the skills, experience, and reflective practice of supervisors across the UK and beyond.
Two levels of recognition are available: the Recognised Associate Supervisor Award, designed for those in the early stages of their supervisory journey, and the Recognised Supervisor Award, which recognises experienced supervisors who have demonstrated sustained and effective practice.
Five researchers have received the award during the latest application round this summer:
Recognised Supervisor Award
Professor Susan Backhouse, Carnegie School of Sport
Dr Anup Chowdhury, Leeds Business School
Dr Kavyta Kay Raghunandan, Carnegie School of Education
Professor Sharon Vincent, School of Health
Recognised Associate Supervisor Award
Dr Oleg Illiashenko, School of Built Environment, Engineering and Computing
Dr Anup Chowdhury, Senior Lecturer in Finance and Research Lead for the Accounting and Finance Subject Group, said: "Applying for the UKCGE Research Supervision Recognition was a transformative experience that allowed me to step back and critically examine my supervisory practice. Like many in academia, I often found myself racing from one milestone to the next, but this application process compelled me to thoughtfully consider how my approach to supervision has matured through my work with doctoral researchers, collaborations with co-supervisors, and the invaluable lessons learned from each unique research journey.
“The reflective writing process, alongside invaluable feedback from colleagues and former doctoral students, illuminated both the strengths and the areas for growth in my supervisory practice. It reaffirmed my conviction that effective supervision transcends mere thesis completion; it entails cultivating an inclusive and supportive environment that empowers doctoral researchers to evolve into confident, independent scholars.
“I wholeheartedly encourage my colleagues, at any stage of their careers, to pursue this recognition. The journey itself serves as a profound form of professional development, prompting deep reflection on our practices and their far-reaching impacts within our research communities. While receiving this recognition was a moment of pride, the true reward lies in the opportunity to continually enhance the doctoral experience for our students, a mission that remains invaluable in the evolving landscape of academic mentorship."
Dr Oleg Illiashenko, Senior Lecturer in Cyber Security and Digital Forensics, said: “Receiving the UKCGE Recognised Associate Supervisor Award is an important recognition of my commitment to thoughtful, rigorous and student-centred research supervision.
“My career combines academia, industrial Research and Development, project leadership and standardisation in cyber security and safety-critical systems. I bring these perspectives to supervision by connecting scholarly rigour with real-world challenges and practical impact.
“The award reinforces my responsibility to helping research students become confident, independent researchers. It also reflects Leeds Beckett University’s wider commitment to high-quality supervision, a strong research culture and research with practical relevance.”
Dr Sharon Vincent, Professor of Social Work, added: “I would encourage new and experienced doctoral supervisors to engage with this process as it is important for all supervisors to reflect upon and strive to improve their supervisory practice. The UKCGE Good Supervisory Practice Framework is such a helpful tool. Thinking about the different domains allowed me to critically reflect on the various actions I have taken to recruit and support doctoral candidates. Reading the supporting literature around effective supervision was particularly beneficial. I was able to identify so many new ideas which I plan to take forward.”
Further details about the scheme, award criteria and information on future application rounds can be found on the UKCGE Research Supervision Recognition Programme website. Leeds Beckett University has supported applications through a centrally funded scheme during 2025/26. We are currently awaiting confirmation of arrangements for 2026/27 and hope to provide an update in early September. In the meantime, colleagues interested in applying or with any questions are welcome to contact researcherdevelopment@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
In this article
Professor Susan Backhouse
Professor Susan Backhouse is Director of Research and Knowledge Exchange in the Carnegie School of Sport at Leeds Beckett University, and a world-renowned researcher in the field of anti-doping and clean sport.
Dr Anup Chowdhury
Dr Anup joined Leeds Beckett in 2014 and has continuously contributed to developing the accounting and finance subject area as a senior lecturer and research cluster lead. His research mainly focuses on corporate finance and financial markets.
Dr Kavyta Raghunandan
Dr Kavyta Raghunandan is a Senior Lecturer in Education and Course Leader of the MA Race, Education and Decoloniality, the only programme of its kind in the UK. Her research sits at the intersection of critical race theory, decolonial studies and popular culture, examining how comedy, graphic novels, museums and green spaces shape and contest racial representation. She is the author of Dougla Poetics (Emerald, 2024) and New Indian Nuttahs (Palgrave, 2018), and co-editor of Covid-19 and Racism (Bristol University Press, 2023). A Senior Fellow of Advance HE, her work bridges academic scholarship with classroom practice, governance and public engagement, developing anti-racist and decolonial pedagogies that support educators to engage critically with race, identity and colonial legacies.
Dr Sharon Vincent
Sharon Vincent is Professor of Social Work in the Social and Community Studies group within the School of Health. She has been undertaking research in the area of child welfare and protection for over 25 years.
Dr Oleg Illiashenko
Dr Oleg Illiashenko is a Senior Lecturer with the School of Built Environment, Engineering and Computing. He is also a Visiting Professor and Cyber security Course Director with the Department of Computer Systems, Networks and Cybersecurity at the National Aerospace University "Kharkiv Aviation Institute" of Ukraine.
