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As my country, Iran, is facing a tough war, I am doing my PhD while having ADHD and dyslexia. During this hard time, my supervisors offered great help, showing compassion and patience toward me. I've had little communication with my parents due to connectivity issues. Nevertheless, my supervisors have consistently encouraged and supported me. Their kindness shows that positivity can bring people together and establish a connection even in hard circumstances. I was definitely lucky to get such committed teachers and I wish I could return all their kindness by finishing my PhD successfully.

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Vita has been incredibly supportive from the very beginning of my PhD journey. She has helped me navigate all the stages of project planning and has offered her advice whenever I felt like I had hit a dead end. She also helped me understand how to prioritise tasks, stay flexible, and was tremendously helpful in tailoring the entire process to my health situation, not only understanding that I might need more time to complete certain tasks, but often reminding me to put myself first when I was forgetting to do so. I wish everyone could have a supervisor like her.

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I am deeply grateful for my supervisor’s patient, understanding, and kind approach, which has made my journey at the university a truly positive experience. Before starting, I had only heard stories of difficult supervision, so his supportive and encouraging nature, within and beyond academia, has been invaluable. He consistently checks in on my wellbeing as well as my progress, even amidst a busy schedule. His deep knowledge and accomplishments in his field are inspiring, but it’s his empathy, generosity, and genuine care that have made the greatest difference, creating a space where I can thrive both personally and academically.

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Tom has been incredibly supportive as a supervisor during a difficult year, and has helped guide me through self-doubt to realise I am capable of higher level study. He has helped me to adapt to academic working after years out of university by encouraging me to take things step by step, set realistic goals, and not be too hard on myself.

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I’d like to nominate Pirashanthie for her outstanding support of student wellbeing. From the start, she has created a space where I feel genuinely heard, supported, and respected. She is approachable, empathetic, and consistently checks in on how I’m doing, especially during challenging times. Her thoughtful approach to supervision has made a real difference to my PhD experience, helping me flourish both academically and personally.

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Having experienced some significant health and mental health challenges over the past year, I've been extremely grateful to have someone as calm, empathetic and supportive as Pam for my supervisor. Pam has been an enormous source of support through my decision to take a leave of absence to deal with my health problems, and my transition back to studying again. Thank you Pam for always being there to listen and advise!

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I am truly grateful to have Dr. Nicola Thomas as my supervisor. She is incredibly supportive, approachable, and always finds time to help me, no matter how busy she is. Her calm and thoughtful approach creates a safe space for open discussion, and she consistently offers valuable guidance that helps me move forward with clarity and confidence. Nicola’s encouragement and willingness to listen make a real difference to my academic experience. Her steady support has helped me stay motivated, and I feel lucky to be learning under her supervision.

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Melanie is a wonderful person and supervisor. Over the years, she has offered responsible, unwavering, and humane academic support. I have also had the privilege of witnessing her steady growth and achievements in academia, which I find very inspiring. Thank you, Melanie, for your guidance and dedication!

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Tina is an excellent supervisor and recognises the importance of supporting wellbeing. We had weekly catch up sessions on line with a coffee to help to see progress and break tasks into manageable pieces. This support and encouragement was invaluable in helping me to complete the PhD.

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I am fortunate to have Mark as my supportive, kind, and approachable supervisor. We meet every week, and our conversations go beyond the project. We often talk about life, family, holidays, and these conversations have been invaluable for my mental health. Mark helps me stay on track by setting clear, achievable goals. He has created a space where I feel comfortable sharing ideas, asking questions, and learning. When I become a lecturer in my home country, I hope to emulate your inspiring example by supporting students both academically and personally with kindness, empathy, and respect.

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Thank you for offering to step in and help me when I needed it most. Your belief in me has reignited my motivation and given me the strength to push forward. Your care, guidance, and encouragement have made all the difference, and I feel ready to face challenges and finish this PhD marathon with confidence.

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Having Lizzy as my supervisor has massively quelled the stress I feared would come as part of my PhD. I feel she trusts me and my judgement, allowing me to make my own plans and conduct my own research without worry. Still, she pushes me to excel both academically and personally, suggesting research paths I would have likely avoided in fear of them being “too difficult”, and is always incredibly supportive when doing so.
She has also allowed me to get involved with her and her postdoc’s research. Being involved like this has greatly increased my sense of belonging, confidence, and community within the group.

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Lauren is always ready and willing to provide both academic and personal support. She is amazingly organized, and always responds quickly and thoughtfully. She demonstrates amazing empathy and has just been a fantastic support through the beginnings of my research. She is not someone who would bring attention to herself, but is well deserving, particularly as she understands the challenges that life brings as an early researcher.

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Fortunate to have JU as a supervisor. His support was instrumental in overcoming many hardships in my PhD journey. While I did not include an acknowledgment page in my thesis, I would like him to know that he is the first name on my gratitude list.

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Jilly has helped support me whilst doing an EdD with a mental health disorder. She has continuously provided information and contacts to help me, provided regular supervision meetings and generally made my experience easier! Thank you

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Talking with Hannah has never been just about academics. She creates a safe and supportive space where I feel comfortable discussing my well-being without hesitation. Her compassionate and approachable nature makes a real difference in how I experience supervision—it's holistic, thoughtful, and genuinely caring. With Hannah, I feel heard, supported, and encouraged not only as a student but also as a person.

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Gavin has been incredibly supportive in helping me return to work after a three-month leave of absence. He’s shown consistent patience, kindness and understanding during a difficult time. We’ve had regular meetings that have helped me rebuild confidence, and he’s taken the time to talk not just about research, but about other aspects of PhD and academic life and about me as a person. His feedback has been clear, constructive, and encouraging, and he’s helped me find a sustainable pace. His support has made a huge difference to my wellbeing and has helped me feel capable, valued and motivated again.

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Frankie has been an incredible supervisor to me this year who has demonstrated kindness, compassion and empathy. She has helped me stay on top of my studies during a very difficult year for me personally. To support me with a session that I could not attend due to my dad’s funeral, she provided lots of additional reading and reflection time so that I did not miss out on the discussion. Thank you, Frankie.

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(1) Dr. Scott has been a great supporter of my career since we first met during my internship. Her amazing balance of care, fun, intellectual and professional development has led me to have an incredible time with the different roles that I have held working alongside her. Having a supervisor and manager that one can call a friend has enabled me to develop not only professionally but also with regards to my overall wellbeing. Thank you for all you have done for me so far!!

(2) Fiona Scott is an exceptional supervisor who supported me with compassion and flexibility through the final sections of my doctoral journey.

When my husband developed a long-term illness at the end of part one of the EdD, my progress slowed, leaving me working to tight deadlines as thesis. Submission loomed. Fiona consistently adapted to my circumstances, offering thoughtful guidance and encouragement without pressure.

She was determined to help me succeed, even in challenging times, and always made time for meaningful supervision despite her busy workload.

Her empathy, understanding, and commitment made a lasting difference to both my academic progress and personal wellbeing.

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Fay not only has a deep understanding of my subject area, but she understands and supports the unique challenges of supervising a mature student with ADHD. As a supervisor Fay has enormous drive and clarity of purpose. Navigating the challenges of time-keeping, scheduling and structuring which are a perennial problem for people with ADHD; she is consistently supportive and inventive in her guidance and suggestions. She actively engages with my imaginative flights and works to help me apply a clarity and focus to shape these. The difference she is making to me is incalculable.

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Dimitar is someone who genuinely cares about his students. He creates space to honestly talk about how they are feeling. One week, it was very busy in the lab and I was feeling overstimulated while having our usual meeting, he noticed and without prompting moved the meeting to the office, where it was quieter. I have a hundred examples similar to this. He also includes his students in his own research, giving them opportunities to grow as scientists and academics. Thank you, Dimitar!

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Dan has been an outstanding supervisor whose support has genuinely transformed my PhD experience. As an autistic researcher with severe sensory sensitivity, I have encountered several access barriers within the university. Dan has directly advocated for my access needs, such as supporting sensory-friendly practices like silent clapping at events. At the same time, he understands that this is not just about individual accommodations, but about improving accessibility for all neurodivergent staff and students. He enables me to work in ways that help my autistic brain thrive. Above all, he brings energy, empathy, and real joy to the work of supervision.

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I am truly grateful to have been supervised by Claire during my doctoral journey. She has gone above and beyond to support me, believing in me even when I doubted myself. Her guidance combined high academic standards with genuine empathy, creating a space where I felt heard, valued, and reassured. Claire’s unwavering support has made a profound difference both professionally and personally. Anyone fortunate enough to have her as a tutor or supervisor will feel supported through the challenges of study. I could not have asked for a more grounding presence.

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Brant is very supportive in his mentoring. He deeply cares for the mental and physical health of everyone in the research group, and he has shown me support by finding alternatives to accommodate personal circumstances.

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Anna has helped support me whilst doing an EdD with a mental health disorder. She has continuously provided information and contacts to help me, provided regular supervision meetings and generally made my experience easier! Thank you

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While this initiative is intended to provide reflection and to start conversations around supervision, it can’t provide evidential support for career progression e.g. probation/promotion and shouldn’t be used for student recruitment purposes. Being recognised as a SuperVisionary is not based on any past or present framework of professional standards or values. There has been no stringent process of assessment of the nominated individuals. The ‘stories’ gathered are the reactive opinions of individuals, who are not qualified to critique or assess supervision in a way that should influence either of the above.

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recognising good supervision that has enhanced research student wellbeing

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recognising good supervision that has enhanced research student wellbeing

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I’m lucky to have three supervisors, unlike many of my friends who only have two. My third supervisor is incredibly enthusiastic. She shares interesting stories from her own PhD journey, which I find insightful. She encourages me a lot, and I can tell she’s genuinely interested in my project. Her enthusiasm and personal experiences have been really motivating.

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Ryan always shows up and clearly explains the detailed academic process of the PhD program. He is also a great PGR director who communicates clearly and responsively to the students.

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I want to express my deepest gratitude to Prof. Renata, who stepped in as my supervisor after the sudden passing of my previous supervisor. As the only one in the faculty willing to take me under her wings, she has been an incredible source of support, not only in my research but also for my well-being. Despite my research being outside her expertise, she provided the guidance, encouragement, and empathy I needed while juggling work, motherhood, and my PhD. Her nurturing approach and unwavering support were the driving forces that kept me going. Thank you, Renata. I owe you this achievement.

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My PhD supervisor has been a truly remarkable mentor, treating me more like a colleague and friend than just a student. From the beginning, he regularly invited me to his office to advise me, even spending hours at a time patiently teaching me how to operate different analytical softwares to conduct empirical analysis. He also frequently meets with me to discuss progress in my own research and provides invaluable guidance. I can confidently say that his mentorship stands out as unparalleled. His dedication and support have inspired me to bring my best to my research. I feel incredibly fortunate to have him as my mentor.

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Penny always gives me the support I need, whether it is encouragement when I need the final push to get on with big or technically challenging experiments, supporting me when things don’t go as well as I expect or as planned or just listening to the things when I need to vent! I always feel listened to and that my ideas are considered and not instantly dismissed.

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Jim is an excellent supervisor with a broad and holistic view of a PhD. His approach helped me gradually develop a more balanced perspective on which tasks merit focus, given the limited time. I enjoyed our relaxed office meetings over tea, which often helped me refocus on key tasks. I also thank him for understanding my emotional needs throughout the PhD (dog cuddles! :)). Together with Nick, Jim's unwavering support was crucial during the challenges posed by COVID-19 and data delays. Their patient guidance helped me navigate these obstacles and grow as an independent researcher. I am deeply grateful for their supervision, which made my challenging yet rewarding PhD journey possible.

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Jona is an exceptional supervisor for promoting mental wellbeing in the workplace. He is always there to offer support and is very understanding and knowledgeable about the specific needs of different students and which areas of support will be most valuable to them. He always makes sure I am reassured, valued, and feel motivated in my work. Jona is a great cheerleader for his students, and I am very thankful for that.

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Moving to a new country was tough, especially in the beginning. I was really nervous to meet my supervisor, but she put me at ease right away with her warmth and kindness. She genuinely cares about me and my wife. When we first met, she had just injured her arm, and now she's injured her ankle. I hope she stops getting injured! She's been a huge support, helping me overcome self-doubt and always encouraging me. She responds to emails quickly and gives great feedback. I'm so lucky to have her as my supervisor and hope I can always make her proud.

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Having Emma as my personal tutor is one of the best things in my PhD journey. She is so supportive, good at listening, and helpful! She asked me to call her at any time for any help after knowing I was staying in Sheffield over Christmas alone. She even helps me with my conference abstract! She's the best!

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Often when staff hear Dan is my supervisor, they mention genuine amazement at his knowledge. But when you speak to other students, they mention how lucky I am to have him as a supervisor. Dan chaired a brilliantly supportive session at the most recent Population Health PGR conference, asking insightful and kind questions to presenters that noticeably improved their confidence. Afterwards, someone said 'You've got one of the good ones', I think that sums up his reputation well. He goes above and beyond. The right supervisor makes a PhD, and my experience would be very different without his support.

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Dr. Dahlia El-Manstrly exemplifies dedication and professionalism, consistently prioritizing the health and wellness of her PhD students alongside their academic progress. Her unwavering commitment to providing comprehensive support is not only commendable but also vital in cultivating a nurturing academic environment. Her approach ensures that students excel without compromising their wellbeing, making her an exemplary figure in academic supervision. I am always so grateful for having her as my supervisor!!

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Brendan is clearly a highly intelligent scholar, and his academic contributions to my work have been invaluable to me during the first year of my PhD. More than that, though, he has consistently been there for me in my (many) moments of self-doubt, and his belief in me and my project reminds me that I can do this, even when my anxiety is telling me that I can’t. He is a truly kind and caring man. Thank you for everything Brendan!

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Having someone understand my specific learning difficulty is invaluable. Being able to just literally explain how I'm feeling, or the block I'm experiencing, and for Abi to listen and acknowledge helps me to see past the specific issue. It's very validating.

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Stephanie Pitts has been an outstanding supervisor so far in PhD. From initially applying for a PhD position to funding applications and weekly check-ins, Stephanie provides such useful guidance and goes above and beyond to make the PhD experience enjoyable. Stephanie's positive outlook on research has helped to ease any challenges I have faced and made me feel not alone in what could feel like an isolating experience. She has the perfect balance of critical feedback based on her extensive expertise and reassuring support.

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In a time when everything in academia is still so online, and it's difficult to get face to face time with people, Malcolm's office door is always open. Whether it's for a quick chat about something PhD related, for an admin form that I desperately need to be signed, or just for a check in and catch up, Malcolm is always ready to help. It's really nice for me to have a friendly face around the school building who I know is willing to support me. Thanks Malcolm!

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2023 Steph Ejegi-Memeh & Sarah Mitchell 

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2023 Steph Ejegi-Memeh & Sarah Mitchell 

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I am very fortunate to be supported by Dr Steph Ejegi-Memeh and Dr Sarah Mitchell, my secondary supervisors. Their different perspectives complement our team perfectly. Meetings always have the exact balance of being enjoyable and caring, yet professional and productive. Their generous spirits mean that they are willing to share advantages gained through their own hard-earned successes, perfectly summarised by Sarah’s love of the expression; ‘leave the ladder down’. To steal a phrase that neatly summarises how my supervisory team make me feel, I quote one of my favourite authors, Glennon Doyle: ‘held and free’.

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Sarah and Stefania are fantastic supervisors. I am so grateful that they are my supervisors on my PhD journey. They always hit the nail on the head in pointing me in the right direction of my research and the problems in my work. I particularly appreciate their understanding and patience during my difficult time. I cannot be here without your support. Many many thanks xxxxx.

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I had the opportunity to work as a teaching assistant alongside Dr. Marco, and I must say, he is incredibly helpful and kind. Working with him was a valuable experience, as I learned a great deal from his guidance and support. I genuinely appreciate all the help he provided.

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Professor O'Cathain is deeply committed to supporting my and other supervisees' wellbeing. She understands the importance of a healthy work-life balance for academic success and personal growth. By fostering an environment of open communication and mutual respect, she ensures I feel valued and heard. She organises regular check-ins and provides constructive feedback which has helped me navigate academic and personal challenges whilst enhancing my confidence. She has also encouraged me to pursue interests outside of academia, promoting a holistic approach to personal development. Her unwavering support not only bolsters my academic performance but has also contributed to my overall happiness and mental health.

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Kath is my line manager and clinical tutor. She constantly goes above and beyond her role to make you feel cared for and supported. Her naturally kind and friendly nature helps you to feel listened to and validated. I know I can always go to her when needed but also know I’ll leave feeling heard and empathised with within a professional contained environment. She takes all concerns seriously and not only helps you develop as your line manager but also work collaboratively to solve or overcome difficulties.

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Julie is a great supervisor as she is always prompt in her replies and offers great additional support whenever needed. She makes sure to accommodate requests and is considerate of my needs as a student, and helps me maintain a work-life balance. I know I can rely on Julie whenever constrained or feeling overwhelmed.

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My 3rd supervisor of whom I wish she sometimes was my 1st. She puts PhD student's physical and mental wellbeing as a top priority and finds solutions to real-life problems, not problems to already-solved solutions as is often the case in academia! Thanks for bringing in the fresh breeze from industry!

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Jenny treats all of her PhD students with care. As well as showing me respect academically, she appreciates that I also have a life which shapes my PhD experience and career goals. She actively works with me and her other PhD students to navigate personal and professional priorities, encouraging us to take breaks when needed. Jenny models this in her own work life balance, and as head of department, this is changing the culture in the department, so her impact goes well beyond her own PhD students.

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Jane, my second PhD supervisor, is very helpful and encouraging. She does everything she can to help her students thrive academically. Jane's commitment to student community is remarkable. She connects her students so we may share ideas, cooperate, and learn from each other. This spirit of friendship has enhanced my academic experience and made the research atmosphere more welcome and fun. Jane supports beyond academics. She cares about her students, well-being, and growth. Jane goes above and above her duties as a research advisor by making sure her students know they are appreciated and cared for in other ways. In conclusion, Jane's mentorship approach, defined by her consistent support and attention to student community development, has shaped my PhD experience. Thanks to her support, I've gained the independence to pursue my own line of inquiry and the assurance to know that I can make a meaningful contribution to the field.

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Helen is a fantastic supervisor in all senses, including (but not limited to) feedback that is supportive and constructive. But having heard many unfortunate experiences of students that were not supported by supervisors when going through challenging personal circumstances, I was worried to let her know of difficulties of my own. It turns out my worry was unwarranted: Helen was understanding from the get-go. This helped me feel a little less daunted, directly affecting my wellbeing in a positive way. Her support and kindness meant a lot and I am grateful to have her as my supervisor.

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Harriet is an incredible supervisor. She tries to create a warm yet highly productive learning atmosphere. Offering excellent guidance and feedback, she remains open to further exchange of ideas. While she encourages dedication to achieve high-quality output, she also genuinely cares about wellbeing throughout the process. Thank you so much Harriet!

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Prof. Eugene McCloskey is one of the most compassionate mentors I have ever known. During my PhD, which I undertook overseas and away from the University of Sheffield, Eugene went above and beyond to ensure I was comfortable and well looked after. I unfortunately endured a difficult time during my PhD, mainly influenced by pandemic related issues and emergency surgery (which led to a bout of medical leave). However, these issues were appropriately confronted and dealt with the help, encouragement and compassion of Eugene – student wellbeing is central to his ethos, and for that I am very thankful.

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As a PGR personal tutor, Emma has a really gentle heart. She always listens to students concerns patiently and provides specific suggestions. Besides, she checks in students time to time, and always reminds students that they can turn to her for help whenever they feel under great pressure. She genuinely cares about students and helps them as much as she can.

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I would like to nominate Dimitar as a great supervisor that supports wellbeing. It is clear that he cares about his students and he has been a mentor inside and outside of the lab. Dimitar always encourages questions and has a remarkable amount of patience. Thank you Dimitar!

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Prof. Ingham is an outstanding mentor who fosters a caring environment for his students. He's always there for private talks and support, creating a safe space. His kindness and caring attitude make us feel really understood and secure. He has had a profound impact on my PhD journey, transforming it into an enriching and enjoyable experience. His presence has undeniably made a significant difference, fostering an environment conducive to growth and learning. It is critical that Prof. Ingham understands how much we admire and appreciate him for his pivotal role. His presence is not only appreciated, but also treasured, as he adds immeasurable value to our academic journey.

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David's support has been unflinching throughout what has been the most challenging 21 months of my life on a personal level. He has offered me advice, removed significant barriers to my continued study and repeatedly demonstrated his confidence in me when my own was diminished - for that I will be forever grateful. Simply put, I would not be entering the third year of my PhD if not for him. Thanks David.

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Since beginning my PhD scholarship, Dani has continually helped me to get the best out of myself and the projects I have worked on whilst being conscious of my wellbeing. She has been a great listener throughout and has given me useful advice to navigate through busy and stressful times. Where needed, Dani has recommended breaks from work for me to reset and has accommodated changes in working routine for me to be able to balance work from home and office lifestyles. Her excellent supervision has resulted in me producing work beyond my own expectations whilst improving my work-life balance.

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Dan's way of running the lab promotes a really positive and healthy research culture. Seeing this culture has inspired me to pursue a research career in the future, to continue cultivating a friendly lab environment.

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My supervisor is undoubtedly very professional and academic, but meanwhile, I am impressed by her support for my well-being. I don't feel pressured to meet her at any point. I can safely talk with her about the problems encountered in life and research and get unexpected encouragement and comfort. It made me stronger and braver. Her supervision not only allowed me to progress in my research but also made me grow into a better person. This is the most beautiful learning experience, in my opinion.

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As an international student, my supervisors Dr. Yinka Olusoga and Professor Rebecca Lawthom have had a positive impact on my personal life. Sure, they did a good job of supervising my research, but what caught my attention was that Yinka and Rebecca were able to guide, encourage, and support me, both in good times and tough times like the coronavirus pandemic. Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to thank them and make it clear to others that even small details can have a huge impact on the achievement of students especially for those who miss their families as the international students.

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I'm happy to have Wen-Shoa as my supervisor; he treats me as a colleague and values my opinion. He was simply a wonderful person, and I am grateful to have been his student. He has never judged me for any struggle that I've been through during my PhD journey, especially with my personal issues. He always provides good and thorough feedback on my thesis writing and always encourages and motivates me alongside providing ongoing support as a mentor. Thanks, Wen-Shao.

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Tom is very patient and a great listener. Tom has supported me through some very tough times through the pandemic as well as personal battles. His effort and support is what has kept me on the PhD journey.

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Steven has always taken an active role in my pastoral care (on top of his other inputs as supervisor). This has been invaluable as he has encouraged me to gain additional mentors, make important connections and ensure realistic timelines to prevent overworking.

Steven has been busy lately largely due to activities specifically designed to benefit his students, such as running courses for our learning. Despite this, he still makes time for all his PhD students. I am very grateful to Steven for all the time and effort he puts into my PhD and also my wellbeing more generally.

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We never start a meeting with talk about research, it's always about how we both are. It really helps to make sure the work doesn't get on top of me. I never feel pressured to produce things that aren't my best and I'm given the time to develop things in my own way. This kind of light guidance really suits me and I appreciate the confidence Sam has in me to produce worthwhile stuff. Cheers Sam!

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No matter how much I struggled throughout the pandemic, and with deadlines looming, Pascal-Antoine was beyond patient. He never had a bad word to say or let my lack of progress at points annoy him and was only ever understanding. He always had a clear plan of what needed to be achieved and would break it down into achievable goals when I struggled. He was fully supportive of my leave of absence and would constantly make sure I knew I could always talk to him with any issues with the PhD. I was very lucky to have him.

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I would like to recognise Liat's empathetic, pragmatic and inspiring approach to supervision. I always leave our 1-to-1s feeling reassured and clarified about my progress and the direction of my research project. Through our discussions, I am often reinvigorated by new research questions and ideas to explore.

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Kirsty always gives insightful feedback and is willing to be flexible around deadlines to ensure they are not as overwhelming.

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I’m very lucky to have Kat as my supervisor. She makes the research group a welcoming and inclusive environment, she genuinely cares about everyone’s wellbeing and is a joy to be around. She is also very supportive and always takes time to point out the positive aspects of my work - even when it needs some improving. Thank you, Kat!

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Justyn is a great supervisor who has helped me grow both as a researcher and as a person. He's always reminding me and encouraging me to relax and take holidays (after getting lots of hard work done of course), and has made sure that I am making the most out of my PhD and research experience. Thanks to him, I feel like I'm well prepared for life after a PhD!

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Joe is an amazing supervisor. He does more than supports us. He fully understands the struggles of being a PhD student and works through those struggles with us. He gives really good advise and puts our mental + physical wellbeing as a top priority. I just really want him to know he is an amazing supervisor and I enjoy every moment of working with him.

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Prof Wild has provided great support both before and during my PhD. He is mindful of life outside of my PhD and takes time to ask about my well being. Knowing this, when PhD life becomes stressful, I feel confident that he will provide guidance that is right for both me and my project.

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It has been almost a year since I joined George's PhD team and I feel that we have great collaboration! During the first months of research, most PhD students feel uncertain, not knowing where to begin! However, George gave me useful guidance and research tips to overcome this uncertainty. We also set up short-term milestones for the first year of research in order to improve motivation and keep going. George is a supportive supervisor and encourages to maintain a balance between resting and delivering quality work. This helps me a lot with my wellbeing!

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He is very responsive and always understanding about the difficulty to tackle the new environment and also understand about the situation of my condition.

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Cordelia has been instrumental in supporting my well-being and maintaining a healthy view of myself, my accomplishments and workload during my PhD.
She’s provided an assuring and objective perspective to an often lonely PhD journey, needfully pointing out the bigger picture, both pastorally and academically. Her presence and supervision has been integral to my progress and learning. I often mention a major takeaway from my PhD is learning how to prioritise my well-being in the midst of other important commitments, and a lot of this is thanks to Cords. I’m grateful for the kindness, understanding, patience ... and the encouragement after everyone else has left our supervision meetings!

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There are many, many reasons I am privileged to be supervised by Briony. In this SuperVisionary nomination, I want to specifically thank Briony for making my PhD journey human-centred. Yes, there are deadlines, and forms, and administration, and a whole thesis to create... but Briony makes sure that my personal wellbeing as a human always takes priority over any expectations and outcomes as a PhD researcher. Sometimes, she even defends me from myself!

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I love that Dr. Andrew put trust in us as new researchers and allows us to work independently because being able to work independently is a crucial skill for every researcher. He will positively criticize and provide constructive feedback to ensure his supervisee to be always on track. In his area of expertise, he won't be reluctant to share his knowledge in order to enhance the subject comprehension of his supervisee. And finally, a friendly individual as a person too, who makes us feel comfortable and sincere while working under him. :)

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Alex is very patient and a great listener. Alex has supported me through some very tough times through the pandemic as well as personal health battles. His effort and support is what has kept me on the PhD journey.

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Maliq has a superpower to uplift and elevate the thinking process in our supervisory team. He brings deep conversation and critical voice to the table while also supports any experiment with new things. I am very lucky to have him in the team!

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She is able to understand my personal circumstances and support me accordingly. This gives me the confidence to pursue my studies especially in these difficult times. I am very grateful to her for the support throughout my PhD research.

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To me, and I know to the whole Zooarchaeology team at the University of Sheffield, Umberto is not only the best supervisor one could wish for, but a great friend. He fosters an atmosphere of inclusion and collaboration, and his door is always open to his students. During the past eighteen months or so, we have faced the covid pandemic, and more recently the threatened closure of our department, and I lost my brother April 2020, a few weeks in to the first lockdown. Umberto has been an absolute tower of strength, empathy, and encouragement. Without his support I know for sure I would find it almost impossible to continue my research.

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Without Russell, I have no idea where I or my colleagues would be. To say he champions wellbeing is an understatement - from encouraging me to become a Mental Health First Aider to help others to helping me through my intervention in my friend's suicide attempt, he has carried us through with a near-parental nurturing. Forever available at 6am through to 11pm to talk about the latest research catastrophe or anxiety regarding a conference, Russell has a way of making everything feel like it will be okay and that one is equipped to survive. I'd like to think everyone in the NoStraDAMUS research group owes our success and progress in some way to Russell watching over us, caring for us and driving us to be our best selves.

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Nicola Hemmings is a fantastic supervisor, she is incredibly supportive, both academically and personally. There have been difficult times during my PhD, but I have always felt better after meeting with Nicola because her positivity, enthusiasm and passion is contagious and inspiring. Nicola has always prioritised her student’s well-being and mental health, she has realistic expectations of her students whilst still encouraging them to strive for excellence, creating an uplifting atmosphere and healthy work ethic within the group. I feel very lucky to have a supervisor that is considerate of my well-being, career goals and interests while supporting me through my PhD.

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This has been a difficult year, so far. Everyone was (is) working from home. I missed the sense of community that a lively department gives. Nicola worked very hard to provide moments of discussions, chat and chill when we, students from different years, could gather and be like a group, despite being physically away. I'm missing those moments during the summer.
On a more personal note, Nicola kindly hears all my blabbing every time. That's something that deserves kudos per se!

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During such a challenging year, Professor Braddick managed to be a supervisor in every sense of the word. Not only were his intellectual contributions priceless for the development of my research, but he also proved to be incredibly sensitive and understandable about all the emotional and psychological challenges that the pandemic has posed on research students. Things that might seem like a simple detail made me feel extremely welcome and supported, like when he would always start our meetings by asking how I was doing, how my family was doing, etc. "Small" details like this actually end up having a big impact on lessening the anxiety and stress on students conducting research away from their home countries during a global pandemic. For this, and for everything I had the opportunity to learn whilst working with him, I will be forever grateful, and whilst he already had my academic admiration before coming to Sheffield, now I admire him as a human. I aspire to be able to demonstrate the same kindness during my professional life as he did towards me.

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I wish to nominate my academic supervisor, Dr Mark Payne, for Supervision that Supports Wellbeing. First of all, he is the best academic supervisor I have ever had. I developed a great respect for his dedication to facilitating and supporting us, his PhD students, academics and well-being. He is also a responsible and efficient supervisor who quickly replies to his students’ inquiries and concerns. He sincerely cares about our family and us by always starting the supervision by asking about our well-being and challenges we faced while doing our PhD abroad. Overall, I can think of no one more deserving of this award than Dr Mark Payne.

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As soon as the first lockdown started in March 2020, Lisa reached out to the three PhDs she supervises to set up fortnightly group check-ins. These check-ins became an important part of my PGR experience during the pandemic: keeping my motivation high, and giving me a regular opportunity to share ups and downs within the team. During a busy period for teaching staff, Lisa went above and beyond. Lisa gave generously of her time, and she showed us (through actions, rather than words) that our wellbeing came first. I’ll always be grateful for the role those check-ins played in what was otherwise an isolating and challenging year!

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Kalina has been an absolutely excellent supervisor who has put my mental and emotional well-being before both research and departmental requirements. She has helped me navigate the complexities of research, administration, and personal well-being to an incredible degree, and it is no exaggeration that I would have dropped out of the program if it hadn't been for her expertise, care, knowledge, and kindness.

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John is a very supportive person and is a joy to work with. They are very passionate about what they do, and their positivity has really helped me when I have been feeling overwhelmed or stressed. They are a great supervisor for their technical ability and also their advice and support for wellbeing.
I feel that I can talk about any problem I am having and they will be available to support me. Especially during lockdown and working remotely, things can be difficult behind a screen. John puts every effort in to support his students. Thank you John!

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This year has been exceptionally difficult with restrictions and external stress, and without Joey, I am not would not have continued on my PhD journey. She is incredibly understanding and motivational. At times where my confidence has been low and I have felt like I am struggling she has encouraged me and guided me to a place where I am more confident. She inspires new ideas and I know I can email her at any time about anything and she will be more than happy to go over things with me or offer advice. More importantly to me, in a time of so much uncertainty Joey has been supportive of my overall wellbeing, reducing my stress levels and actively encouraging a healthy work-life balance to keep my mental health up and keep me productive in my work. I am grateful to have her as my supervisor.

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Jen has been a wonderful support during my thesis writing process. She has encouraged me to look after my mental health and think about my fears and triggers. I will not be where I am on my thesis writing process without her encouragement to ask for help and various other techniques and advice. I just want to say thank you for being such a great mentor.

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Jane is a fantastic supervisor who deserves public recognition for the stellar advice, care and support she provides to her supervisees. The last eighteen months have been rough sailing for PGRs and it's often felt hard to hold everything together, but throughout every wobble and uncertainty - even while contending with so much in her own work and life, too - Jane has made the time and space to talk through all of my concerns honestly and openly. All of this *and* providing me with really constructive, actionable feedback on my academic work and opening up new avenues of thought for my PhD. Thank you for all you do! I feel lucky to have you.

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My experience at Sheffield hasn’t always been easy due to some very rough mental health patches, but Heidi has always been unwavering in her support. I can honestly say I’ve never worked with anyone as kind, encouraging, and smart as Heidi, and I doubt I’d still be at the university without her guidance and support.

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Thanks Graham for being a great supervisor and PGR lead! You have been a huge soundboard for all PGR students this year and I really appreciate how much you have listened and advocated for us all. You also seem to genuinely care about our wellbeing encouraging us all to take time off. This has really helped considering it has been such a difficult year and really makes me feel like my and other PGR students' opinions are appreciated.

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When I hear friends complaining about their supervisors it struck me how good George is as a supervisor because I have nothing to complain about and plenty to be happy about. During the beginning George was very supportive, providing me with the frequent guidance I needed to kickstart my research. Later on, George encouraged me to be more independent when deciding on my research trajectory which enabled me to learn more. When times were tough George insisted that I take time off to refresh my mind; something I did not know I needed but helped me regain my wellbeing.

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They encouraged me to have a summer vacation during my research! I took the opportunity then it turned out I am truly recharged. Thank you very much for the encouragement. A lot of supports from them are keeping me alive during these difficult time.

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It has been a tough time for me with the pandemic, changes my working pattern, caring responsibility etc. Dr Littlewood is very reachable and understanding in this tough time, ensuring my wellbeing while checking that my work is progressing.

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I feel really lucky to have Charles as my supervisor. He is excellent both from a professional and a human perspective.
He helped me a lot to develop my critical thinking and technical skills by sharing his valuable experience.
He has always been really supportive to me, especially throughout these difficult times of pandemic, when often just a chat over a virtual espresso had really made my day.
There is only one word to describe him: Supercalifragilisticexpialivisor!

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Caroline has been my supervisor and mentor for a number of years now. She has an amazing ability to inspire and support young researchers. She works hard as a GP and as an academic but always has time to support her team. I recently returned from maternity leave and she has offered wellbeing support and we often take long walks together to talk through issues. She has been able to find funding pathways and help with research bids. There are many other GPs and students who would not have been able to pursue academic training without her support and belief. She especially supports women juggling childcare, clinical work and research in a world which is often male dominated. She is always looking out for research opportunities and training to help support her team. There is no way I could have achieved what I have achieved without her, I never would have ventured out of the clinical world of medicine into academia which I have loved. She understands the challenges of being a mother, a doctor and an academic. Her supervision has been invaluable.