When two become three: Individual consultations and the triadic research review process

Abstract

It is a speedy but colossal journey when ākonga (students) embark on their postgraduate study, especially when they have to plan and produce a dissertation or a thesis. This commentary explores how our organisation, an Institute of Technology and Polytechnic (ITP), has transformed practices to better support ākonga in this process. We describe the triadic consultations with learner, supervisor and Research Committee representative we are finding to be an inclusive and relational approach in providing personalised feedback and advice from cultural experts as ākonga shape their ethics proposals. These kanohi-ki-te-kanohi (face-to-face) meetings and constructive critical reviews are collaborative and student-centred. These versions of individual consultations are proving effective and successful in creating a positive learning journey across a number of master’s qualifications.