Available in print and e-book, Supervising Conflict: A Guide for Faculty (University of Toronto Press, 2023) is an excellent resource for new and experienced faculty supervisors. The book includes:
- Insights drawn from over 900 conflict coaching conversations with faculty, staff, PhD and masters’ students over 4 1/2 years at a large public research university in Toronto, Canada;
- Activities & case studies to help faculty advisors identify when conflict is likely to emerge; and
- Strategies & tips for resolving and preventing conflict that are grounded in theory and tested on campus.
When grad things happen, you will be ready!
Book reviews
Providing conflict management guidance for anyone who works with graduate students, Supervising Conflict captures the wide range of situations that confront university ombuds. With a comprehensive and practical approach, the book organizes and presents varied insights, guidance, and advice that ombuds share with their visitors. The unique inclusion of activities, such as worksheets, skits, and surveys, no doubt will be useful for many readers.
– Tom A. Kosakowski, University Ombuds, University of Southern California, and publisher of The Ombuds Blog
Supervising Conflict is a practical, accessible, and helpful resource for faculty to understand, prevent, and respond to conflict within the post-secondary environment. Utilizing actual cases of faculty and staff experiencing challenging situations, Heather McGhee Peggs has developed tools and tips that faculty can access easily and effectively. The topic of conflict in graduate student education is not only timely, but also timeless! Talking about it, understanding it, exploring and challenging the ways we have dealt with it, are absolutely necessary.
– Shirley Nakata, Ombudsperson for Students, University of British Columbia
Supervising Conflict aims to assist graduate students and supervisors navigating various conflicts that may occur in their relationships. The strategies put forward incorporate the many complexities graduate students face – such as power dynamics, experience, and identity – and provide insight to supervisors on handling these situations. The issues are presented holistically, showing the conflict from both sides and offering practical strategies, reflections, and actionable steps that can be taken toward resolution.
– Remonia Stoddart-Morrison, Graduate Ombudsperson, University of Alberta
Supervising Conflict 