There are few things more exciting than research. University academics do it, but so do their students. With sound supervision, undergrads can make surprising discoveries and publish valuable research papers.

Student research is the ultimate heuristic tool, but supervising projects is tricky. Research is uncertain and demands on staff time are huge, yet the student needs a good degree and the supervisor wants a successful career. Can this conundrum be resolved? What does good supervision really look like? And what’s its connection with scholarship?

For many years, academics have been judged more on research output than teaching skill, and academic life has been poorly professionalised. But all that is changing. Professional recognition is starting to mean something. The academic pendulum is swinging to a better balance between research and teaching.

These developments are worth celebrating, because teaching is exciting too.