Doctoral Education: Group-Based Supervision as Leadership Development Pedagogy

Abstract

Doctoral supervision in Africa is at a critical juncture. Traditional one-to-one models, though historically effective, often fail to prepare graduates for leadership in complex, digitally interconnected, and sustainability-driven contexts. This article presents an African case study of a group-based doctoral supervision model implemented at a private higher education institution. Drawing on data from 24 candidates and four supervisors, the model reframes doctoral education as a collective, leadership-development journey. The paper conceptualises group supervision as a strategic leadership incubator that develops graduate attributes such as critical reflection, collaboration, ethical decision-making, and resilience key competencies for Africa’s sustainable knowledge economy.