Advisory

The advisory is an academic monitoring mechanism that offers students an external perspective on their work. The advisor offers advice, connections, and an independent view on the project’s progress. It is not a second supervision or co-supervision: the advisory is an open conversation, without the formal responsibilities of the advisor-student relationship.

The open advisory model adopted by the Program is based on studies on academic mentoring. Students benefit from diverse perspectives (Liénard et al., 2018) and intellectual independence is one of the main predictors of career success (Ma, Mukherjee & Uzzi, 2020).

All Program students, regardless of course, scholarship source, or enrollment date, must have an internal advisory.

The advisor is a PhD holder who monitors the student’s academic and scientific development. Their role is to offer teachings, advice, and an independent view.

What the advisor does:

• Talks with the student about the project’s progress
• Offers suggestions on research direction
• Evaluates the research plan and annual reports
• Talks with the supervisor and communicates any identified problems to the CCP

What the advisor does NOT do:

• Does not replace the supervisor or co-supervisor
• Is not responsible for project execution
• Does not need to follow the work on a daily basis

Who can be an advisor:

• Anyone with a PhD degree, including but not limited to:
  • Full or specific supervisors of the Program
  • Researchers external to the Program
  • Postdoctoral researchers

Restrictions:

• Cannot be the student’s supervisor or co-supervisor
• Each advisor can monitor a maximum of 5 students simultaneously

Each student must have a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 2 advisors. The desired number must be indicated in the advisory form.

How it works

1. The supervisor and student prepare a list with 4 names of potential advisors, including contact email
2. It is recommended to consult potential advisors before sending the list to the CCP
3. The list is sent to the CCP together with the research plan (60 days after first enrollment)
4. The CCP designates the advisor(s) considering:
   • Adequacy to the research project
   • Number of students already advised by each person (maximum 5)

Substitution

The advisor can be replaced upon justification sent to the CCP. It is desirable that the advisor accompanies the student throughout the entire course to evaluate the project’s evolution, but changes are permitted when necessary.

The student must meet with their advisor at least once a year.

Format:

• In-person or virtual
• The supervisor may participate, but it is recommended that they do not

The recommendation that the supervisor not participate follows practices adopted in international graduate programs. At the University of North Carolina, for example, the supervisor leaves the room during part of the committee meeting so that the student can talk confidentially with the other members. The goal is to allow the student to openly discuss difficulties and expectations without embarrassment.

Record: After each meeting, the student fills out a form with the measures adopted based on the advisor’s recommendations. The form must be signed by the advisor and sent to the CCP along with the report.

Research plan

Annual reports

Summaries for courses and qualification

The advisor also evaluates the summaries presented for course credit and for the qualification exam.

Dissertation or thesis

The final report corresponds to the complete dissertation or thesis, which is evaluated by the advisor before the defense.

Students with FAPESP scholarships or from other agencies other than CAPES or CNPq must also have an advisor designated by the Program.

Difference in deadlines: In these cases, reports follow the funding agency’s calendar. The student must send to the CCP the grant term, a copy of the report submitted to the agency, accompanied by the meeting form signed by the advisor.

• Submit the research plan within 60 days after enrollment
• Submit annual reports within established deadlines
• Meet with the advisor at least once a year
• Obtain the advisor’s signature on the meeting form
• Incorporate relevant suggestions into the project

• Meet with the student at least once a year
• Evaluate the research plan and annual reports
• Sign the meeting form
• Communicate any identified problems to the CCP
• Offer constructive suggestions for the project

Supervisors who act as advisors receive a 3% bonus per student advised in the program notice of their choice.

This incentive aims to distribute the advisory workload among faculty and value participation in monitoring Program students.

Advisors who are not Program supervisors may request a participation certificate from the CCP.

Non-compliance with requirements may result in dismissal:

Preparing the list of advisors

When preparing the list of potential advisors for your student:

1. Include 4 names with contact email
2. Consider PhDs with knowledge in the project area
3. Value diversity of perspectives: advisors from complementary areas enrich the monitoring
4. Consult potential advisors before including them in the list
5. Verify that the potential advisor does not exceed the limit of 5 advisees
6. Obtain the student’s approval of the list

Supervisor’s evaluation

Along with each annual student report, you must submit an evaluation of academic and scientific performance. This evaluation complements the advisor’s assessment.

Participation in meetings

You may participate in meetings between the student and the advisor. However, it is recommended that the student have at least part of the meeting alone with the advisor, so they can openly discuss the project’s progress.