Associate Professor Aniruddha Chatterjee says supervising tauira and seeing them succeed is hugely rewarding.
A Dunedin School of Medicine researcher has been recognised internationally for his sterling supervision of postgraduate students.
Associate Professor Aniruddha Chatterjee, of the Department of Pathology, is the first person from the School to receive a UK Council for Graduate Education (UKCGE) Research Supervision Award. He is only the sixth Otago academic to receive this recognition and one of the youngest.
The award means he is now a UKCGE certified supervisor. The University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka is the only New Zealand university that has UKCGE recognised supervisors.
Aniruddha says it is “very humbling” to be recognised in this way.
“Being a good supervisor is an ever-evolving, continuous process where you are always reflecting and improving. While I’m really pleased to get this recognition, the whole point of the exercise was that it was a chance to reflect on my supervisory practices.”
In applying for the award, Aniruddha had to submit a 5000-word portfolio, which included details such as how he recruited students and supported them to develop research competencies. The application included references from a formal doctoral candidate and a colleague familiar with Aniruddha’s supervisory practice.
Each application is peer reviewed by experts in doctoral education. In Aniruddha’s case, the panel was unanimous that the award criteria had been met with “extensive evidential experience”.
Aniruddha has been a supervisor for almost a decade and has mentored more than 50 postgraduate students in that time, a high proportion of them PhD candidates.
He describes supervising students and training the next generation of scientists as “one of the biggest joys”. Seeing his students grow as people and researchers was very rewarding.
“We have to look at the whole student – their mental, physical and emotional situation – it’s not just about the science.” – Aniruddha Chatterjee
“It’s a wonderful feeling and one of the most satisfying experiences of my life and career.”
He sees his students as “extended whānau” and many of them keep in touch, and continue to seek his advice, long after they have left the Chatterjee Laboratory.
Aniruddha says with all the current challenges that researchers face, such as constrained funding and fewer career opportunities, it’s important to be a “supervisor of today”. That means being aware of these challenges and helping students navigate them.
“Part of my responsibility is to help students make the most of their strengths and consider what their career might look like, including opportunities outside academia.”
Aniruddha says supervisors need more awareness of issues such as mental health and wellbeing, and more skills than those of the traditional academic supervisor.
“We have to look at the whole student – their mental, physical and emotional situation – it’s not just about the science.”
The Dean of Otago’s Graduate Research School, Professor Diane Ruwhiu, congratulated Aniruddha on his achievement.
“This award is a testament to Aniruddha’s commitment to providing excellent supervision of his graduate research students.”
– Kōrero by Andrea Jones, Team Leader, Divisional Communications
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