Abstract

Little is known empirically about the supervision of practice-based research degree students in Art and Design. Drawing on qualitative interview data with 50 supervisors, this article portrays some of their routine practices, conceptualizing them as an ongoing craft, which, whilst theoretically informed, is foremost a practical activity learned by trial and error. The article concludes by stressing the essentially tacit nature of these craft practices, and advocates the development of an adequately resourced programme of mentorship, so as to facilitate the transmission of good practice between experienced and novice supervisors