‘Am I nobody?’ An exploratory study on power relations in doctoral co-supervision in Mozambique

Abstract

Intercultural doctoral supervision is recognised as extremely important. However, in the Global South it is widespread but under-researched. This qualitative study, undertaken at the flagship university in Mozambique, Eduardo Mondlane University, aimed to explore the power relationship within supervisory teams between the Global North and South, from the perspective of doctoral co-supervisors from the Global South. The study draws on nine in-depth interviews with Southern co-supervisors. A reflexive thematic analysis was chosen and the principal findings revealed Southern co-supervisors’ feelings of exclusion, frustration, and subordination related to the power relationship between the Global North and South. However, many interviewees found co-supervision rewarding, and a path to a future career. Findings suggest that collaborations between the Global North and South should give special consideration to power dynamics to improve the quality of intercultural co-supervision, thereby supporting the supervisory teams and, consequently, doctoral students’ progress.