What does good supervision mean to you?
Tea Pavkov-Keller: For me, good supervision means a balanced combination of academic excellence, individual support and personal development. I see my role not only as guiding doctoral students through their dissertation project, but also as preparing them specifically for their future careers. It is particularly important to me that they work independently, develop their own ideas and take a critical stance towards scientific results. At the same time, I create a supportive, trusting environment in which doctoral students feel comfortable and can communicate openly.
How do you motivate your students?
Pavkov-Keller: For me, motivation comes primarily from meaning, self-efficacy and recognition. I make sure that we set clear but realistic goals and that successes are celebrated consciously. I support my doctoral students in recognising and utilising their own resources. I also enable them to experience success outside their main project through conferences, exchange programmes and smaller side projects. This strengthens their self-confidence and opens up new perspectives.
How do you deal with setbacks among your doctoral candidates?
Pavkov-Keller: Setbacks are part and parcel of a dissertation – whether experimental, personal or in the academic environment. I try to promote an open culture of error, in which problems are not hidden away but addressed and reflected on together. It is crucial to take setbacks seriously and see them as part of the journey.
What do you particularly value?
Pavkov-Keller: It is important to me that my doctoral candidates develop not only professionally but also personally – into self-confident, reflective young scientists. This requires a clear structure in everyday life, space for creative ideas, appreciative communication and the promotion of self-organisation, resilience and career planning. I also pay close attention to team spirit, diversity and mutual support within the group. Good cooperation is often the basis for scientific success.
How do you encourage your doctoral candidates to work independently?
Pavkov-Keller: I encourage them by giving them responsibility right from the start: for their project planning, data interpretation, but also for small supervisory tasks, such as mentoring younger colleagues. At the same time, I give constructive feedback, create space for questions and provide targeted support when needed. It is important to me that they learn to make decisions and also to deal with uncertainties and failures.
What role do the team and the atmosphere in your working group play?
Pavkov-Keller: For me, a good working atmosphere is the basis for creativity, exchange, cooperation and development. In our multicultural group, we communicate openly and respectfully. I make sure that everyone can contribute ideas and feels heard. Joint activities outside the lab – such as hikes, conferences or even just a meal together – strengthen group cohesion. This in turn has a very positive effect on motivation and productivity.
How has your training as a psychosocial counsellor added value to your supervisory style?
Pavkov-Keller: The training made me even more aware of how closely scientific performance is linked to personal well-being. I now work more specifically to promote the individual strengths of the doctoral candidates, listen attentively and recognise their needs even better. I see the doctoral candidates not only in their role as researchers, but as personalities with individual strengths and real-life experiences. This perspective helps me to provide support and solution-oriented guidance even in difficult phases.
How do you support your doctoral students' career development?
Pavkov-Keller: For me, career development does not begin at the end of the dissertation. We hold structured discussions about career prospects, interests and goals. I support doctoral candidates in designing individual career paths that match their skills, interests and goals – whether in academia, industry or other fields. To this end, I organise career planning workshops and work individually on application strategies. I also support my former doctoral candidates after they have completed their doctorates, for example in applying for funding or jobs