Meet Kine Johansen, researcher and dedicated supervisor
Kine Johansen wants to have a coaching role as a supervisor. Photo: Mikael Wallerstedt
One thing that our research group highly values is providing our PhD students and early-career researchers with regular and structured supervision, both individually and in groups. In addition to the main supervisor, one or more co-supervisors also contribute with their expertise.
Kine Johansen in dialogue with PhD student Christina Reuther.
Kine Johansen is currently a co-supervisor for PhD student Christina Reuther, in addition to supervising students at the bachelor's and master's levels. She is a physiotherapist and a researcher in Healthcare Sciences, focusing on children with motor difficulties.
As a supervisor, what kind of advice do you provide students with?
– It really varies depending on the student in front of me, Kine explains. It can be anything from helping with planning the work and discussing study related issues, to providing encouragement. One thing I focus more on now compared to when I was new in my role as a supervisor, is providing structure and well-defined deadlines to ensure projects are completed on time.
What is it like being a supervisor?
– Being a supervisor is one of the most enjoyable and rewarding parts of my job, Kine says with a smile. I appreciate working closely with a student, which I’m not able to as a course leader. It’s exciting to see individuals grow and develop their scientific skills and to support them during their academic journey.
Are there any challenges related to being a supervisor?
– There have been times when a student and I have had different views on what our collaboration should look like, Kine explains. I want to have a coaching role and I have had experiences with some students who may expect the supervisor to solve all their problems while others may be less open to advice. That said, I find that open communication, mutual respect as well as a clearly defined roles and responsibilities help overcome those types of challenges.
What makes our research group a good environment for PhD students?
– I believe that academic growth occurs through dialogue and discussion. That's one of the advantages of having multiple PhD students, as we do in our research group. It creates opportunities for dynamic discussions and enriching seminars, complementing the supervision process.
Kine Johansen's mentorship highlights the importance of structure, communication, and collaboration to support students' academic development. We look forward to Kine's continued work and to following her students' progress.
Miro Anter