International policy changes that have prioritised increasing growth in the numbers of doctoral students have led to wide-ranging debate about the changing purpose of the doctorate. However, there has been little research aimed at investigating doctoral supervisors' views of the purpose of the doctorate, despite the significant role supervisors…

The question of whether it is a teacher's job to promote autonomy in students is explored. The discussion includes a review of some pertinent literature, with focus on "Faces on the Campus" by Graham Little, whose notion is seen as providing a worthy ideal. (JMD)