As established by Royal Decree 99/2011, of January 28, and as set forth in the Official Doctoral Program Regulations of the University of La Laguna (ULL), the Academic Committee of the Doctoral Program will assign both a tutor and thesis supervisor to enrolled students. Thus, Articles 9 and 10 of the aforementioned ULL Regulations stipulate the following:

Tutor

1. Once admitted to the doctoral program and verified enrollment, each doctoral student will be assigned a tutor by the corresponding academic committee. The tutor must be a doctor and a professor of the doctoral program authorized to supervise doctoral theses according to the requirements established in these regulations. The tutor will be responsible for ensuring the doctoral student's interaction with the academic committee and their supervisor, where applicable.

2. The academic committee, after consulting the doctoral candidate, may modify the appointment of the assigned advisor at any time during the doctoral program, provided there are justified reasons. If it deems it appropriate, it may request reports from the advisor and the thesis supervisor.

3. The tutor's duties will be:

a) Regularly review, together with the thesis director, the document on the doctoral student's activities as defined in article 2.5 of these regulations.
b) Endorse, together with the thesis director and before the end of the first year, the research plan prepared by the doctoral student.
c) Sign the documentary commitment together with the University, the doctoral student and the director.
d) Issue and submit annually to the academic committee the report provided for in article 23.3 of this regulation.
e) Ensure the inclusion of the University of La Laguna in all communications, presentations and publications in which the results of research carried out by the students under their supervision are disseminated.

 Thesis director

1. Within a period of no more than one month from the doctoral candidate's enrollment, the academic committee responsible for the program will assign a doctoral thesis supervisor, who may or may not be the same as the tutor referred to in the previous article. This appointment may be made to any Spanish or foreign doctor who meets any of the following requirements:

a) Be in possession of at least one section of research merits, in accordance with the provisions of Royal Decree 1086/1989, of August 28, on university teaching staff salaries (BOE No. 216, of September 9), amended by Royal Decrees 1949/1995, of December 1 (BOE No. 16, of January 18, 1996); 74/2000, of January 21 (BOE No. 19, of January 22), and 1325/2002, of December 13 (BOE No. 305, of December 21), or equivalent merits for those who do not have access to the assessment of these sections because they do not belong to university teaching bodies.
b) Be in possession of three sections of research merits, in accordance with the provisions of Decree 140/2002, of October 7 (BOC No. 139, of October 18) and have directed a doctoral thesis, or have co-directed two.
In both cases, regardless of the university, center, or institution where the student works, the research must be part of one of the lines included in the corresponding doctoral program.

2. The academic committee, after hearing the doctoral candidate and, where applicable, the doctoral candidate's tutor, may modify the appointment of the doctoral thesis supervisor at any time during the period of completion of the doctorate, provided that there are justified reasons. The appropriate report from the supervisor shall be requested.

3. The thesis may have another supervisor, who must meet the same requirements established for a thesis supervisor in that doctoral program, when there are academic reasons, such as thematic interdisciplinarity or programs developed in national or international collaboration, with prior authorization from the academic committee. This authorization may be revoked later if, in the opinion of the academic committee, co-supervision does not benefit the development of the thesis.

4. Notwithstanding the provisions of the previous section, a new researcher or a professor or researcher with a minimum of research experience who does not meet the requirements established to be a thesis supervisor may assume the duties of co-supervisor. In all cases, they must have a civil service or contractual relationship with the university or organization collaborating in the development of the program. There may be no more than one co-supervisor of this profile.

5. The academic committee of the doctoral program will ensure an appropriate and proportionate distribution of doctoral students among the research lines comprising the doctoral program and among the supervisors. For these purposes, the following limitations are established:

a) In the same academic year, the same thesis supervisor may not be assigned to more than three new students with full-time dedication, or equivalent.
b) It is established that a supervisor may not simultaneously supervise more than four doctoral theses being completed full-time, or part-time equivalents. Likewise, the same team of supervisor and co-supervisor may not simultaneously supervise more than four theses.
c) The limit indicated in the preceding section may be increased to eight in the case of supervisors whose previously supervised theses have each resulted in at least two publications in scientific journals with international reviewers. In any case, starting with the fifth doctoral thesis, a co-supervisor is mandatory, without prejudice to the limitations indicated in the preceding section.
d) Theses completed under the joint supervision modality will not be counted for the purposes indicated in this section.
e) For each thesis that does not have proof of receipt of at least one publication by the corresponding publishing entity within a period of no more than one year after its defense, the limits indicated for thesis supervision in this section will be reduced by one.

6. The work of supervising doctoral students and directing theses will be recognized as part of the teaching and research dedication of the faculty in accordance with the terms established by the corresponding regulations of the University of La Laguna.

7. Supervisors whose doctoral students defend their theses over a period of more than four years will have the limit established in Article 10.5.b of these regulations reduced by one for each thesis defended over a period longer than the stated limit. The same will apply, in equivalent time frames, to theses being completed part-time. For these purposes, voluntary withdrawals by doctoral students or disengagements resulting from negative evaluations of their research plans will not be taken into account.

8. The thesis supervisor is obliged to include the University of La Laguna in all presentations, communications, and publications in which the results of the research conducted by their doctoral students are disseminated. Furthermore, the thesis supervisor must state the department to which they are attached if they are a professor at the University of La Laguna, unless the corresponding editorial standards prohibit this, without prejudice to mentioning their affiliation with other research entities. Failure to comply with this obligation will result in their inability to be appointed as supervisor of new doctoral students. The supervisor may justify the cause of the non-compliance before the academic committee of the doctoral program, which will decide on the application of the provisions of this section.

Supervision

The Regulations for Official Doctoral Studies at the University of La Laguna describe in Article 10, points 3 and 4, the activities planned to promote supervision or co-supervision, in those cases academically justified, for the development of the program. Thus, the thesis may have another supervisor, who must meet the same requirements established for a thesis supervisor in that doctoral program, when there are academic reasons, such as thematic interdisciplinarity or programs developed in national or international collaboration, with prior authorization from the Academic Committee. Likewise, a new researcher or a professor or researcher with a minimum of research experience who does not meet the requirements established for a thesis supervisor may assume the duties of co-supervisor. In all cases, they must have a civil service or contractual relationship with the university or organization collaborating in the development of the program.

Likewise, the University of La Laguna has a model of Documentary Commitment with the doctoral student, stipulated by article 21 of the Regulations of Official Doctoral Studies for the supervision of doctoral theses, which defines the respective rights and duties and the reciprocal commitments of the signatories in order to ensure the achievement of the objectives previously defined during the period of preparation of the doctoral thesis, the signatories of this being document, the doctoral student, the thesis director who guides the research project (or tutor, if applicable) and the Vice-Rector with responsibilities in doctoral studies.

Here is the content of the document of Commitment to the PhD student:

Mutual collaboration

The doctoral candidate or researcher in training and the thesis supervisor undertake to establish mutual collaboration to achieve the completion of studies and research work leading to the completion of a doctoral thesis in the Doctoral Program in Psychology, the presentation of the Research Plan, as well as the corresponding renewals thereof, the preparation and finally, the defense of the doctoral thesis of the researcher in training, in accordance with the procedures and deadlines established in the applicable regulations.
The commitment is acquired and established at the time of signing this document.

Duties, rights and obligations of the thesis director

The following are the obligations and rights of the thesis director:

a) The director/tutor has the duty to inform the doctoral student of the list of Doctoral Theses he/she is directing, as well as those directed in the last 5 years and their objective results.
b) The director has the duty to outline the Training Plan that the doctoral student must complete and to provide, to the extent possible, the necessary means to achieve it.
The director must define the Research Plan of the Doctoral Thesis, ensure its originality and formative character, as well as that it can be carried out in
the maximum period of 3 years, with possible extensions being subject to the provisions of the ULL Official Doctoral Studies Regulations.
d) The director has the duty to assist the doctoral student, supervise the progress of his or her work, establish a schedule of regular meetings, and require him or her to fulfill his or her obligations in accordance with the work plan they have established in this regard.
e) The director has the right to authorize the defense of the thesis and propose, in agreement with the doctoral student, the committee for the defense of the thesis and the external evaluators in the case of a Thesis that is eligible for the International Doctoral Mention.
f) The director has the duty to report on the scientific contributions derived from his/her thesis, at least, within 3 years after its completion.

The director's dedication will be recognized in accordance with the provisions of the current regulations of the University of La Laguna.

Duties, rights and obligations of the guardian

The following are the guardian's rights and obligations:

a) Regularly review, together with the thesis director, the doctoral student's activities document.
b) Endorse, together with the thesis director and before the end of the first year, the research plan prepared by the doctoral student.
c) Sign the documentary commitment together with the University, the doctoral student and the director.
d) Issue and submit annually to the academic commission the report on the Research Plan and the document of activities developed by the
PhD student.
e) Ensure the inclusion of the University of La Laguna in all communications, presentations and publications in which results are disseminated
of the research developed by the students he/she supervises.

Obligations and dedication of the doctoral student

Doctoral candidates undertake to pursue their doctoral studies within the framework established by applicable regulations and in accordance with the commitments resulting from this document. Thus, research trainees have the following obligations:

a) Carry out and attend the training activities and research seminars established in the doctoral program, and its plan of activities.
b) Submit the work carried out to the director in the format and frequency that have been previously agreed upon and submit the thesis manuscript
to the director a reasonable time in advance of the agreed date of deposit, for final review.
c) Consult with your director before carrying out any other additional activity at the university, to jointly assess the possible impact on
his dedication to his doctoral thesis.
d) Comply with the safety requirements at work or any other specific requirements that exist in the place where you carry out your research.
e) Comply with the ethical standards established by the university.
f) Take, where applicable, the specific training supplements included in the program report and established by the academic committee at the time of admission to the doctoral program.
g) Include the University of La Laguna in all communications, presentations and publications in which results related to the research developed in their doctoral training are disseminated.
For this purpose, the dedication of the researcher in training is ___________________ (part-time / full-time).

Confidentiality

The research trainee agrees not to reveal, communicate, transfer, or divulge to third parties any data or information that may be considered confidential. They also agree to maintain confidentiality of any information relevant to the research provided by the director and, where applicable, the co-director and/or tutor, or any other member of the research team.

The commitment to confidentiality and secrecy will remain in effect even after the end of the academic and administrative relationship with the University of La Laguna and may only be modified in writing and signed by all parties involved.

Intellectual/industrial property regime

The doctoral student will have the right to be recognized as the owner of the intellectual or industrial property rights that may correspond to him/her in accordance with current legislation and to appear as author or co-author in all works, articles or communications where the results of the research in which the doctoral student has participated in a relevant manner are presented.

The doctoral candidate will have the right to exercise the intellectual property rights derived from his/her training activity in research and in accordance with his/her contribution, as established by current legislation.

With regard to any industrial property rights that the doctoral student may hold over the results of their research, they will be subject to the provisions of current legislation on university patents. Under no circumstances will any amounts received for the exploitation and transfer of the aforementioned rights be considered salary.

Any publication or dissemination of results derived from the Thesis must state that the work was carried out at the University of La Laguna.

Conflict resolution

In the event of disagreement or non-compliance with any of the points in this document, the doctoral student and the Director will attempt to resolve the disputes amicably.

If an agreement cannot be reached, either party may notify the academic coordinator of the doctoral program, who will act as mediator.

If mediation does not resolve the conflict, it will be forwarded to the Graduate Studies Committee, which must issue a resolution within three months, after hearing the parties and the academic coordinator of the doctoral program.

An appeal may be lodged against the decision of the Postgraduate Studies Committee before the Rector, in accordance with the terms established in Law 30/1992, of 26 November, on the Legal Regime of Public Administrations and the Common Administrative Procedure.

If problems arise during the completion of the thesis regarding the use of the materials or instruments necessary for its completion, the thesis supervisor may file a complaint with the Department Director or, where appropriate, with the Research Group. If the complaint is not addressed, the Graduate Studies Committee will address the matter.

Validity

This document will take effect from the date of signature and ends upon attaining doctoral status. The commitment will also be terminated when the research trainee permanently withdraws from the doctoral program.
Likewise, it will be void in the event of non-compliance with any of the established clauses or current regulatory regulations.

Finally, the University of La Laguna's Official Doctoral Studies Regulations include Article 28, which refers to the International Mention. Based on this article, the Procedure for Requesting the International Mention in the doctoral degree has been developed. In this regard, the participation of international experts is planned in the monitoring committees, in the issuance of reports prior to the presentation of doctoral theses, and in the thesis-reading panels.

Here is the content of the document on the Procedure To apply for the International Mention:

To qualify for the International Mention in the doctoral degree, as set out in Article 28 of the Official Doctoral Studies Regulations of the University of La Laguna of January 25, 2013, which transposes the provisions on this matter contained in Royal Decree 99/2011, of January 28, the interested party must follow the procedure set out below.

1. Before undertaking the mandatory stay at a non-national center, the doctoral student, with the approval of his or her supervisor, will submit to the Postgraduate Committee, in the established format, an application to carry out a research stay at a non-national Institution or Research Center, which must include:

1.1. University or research center where the stay will take place and the tutor who will supervise it
1.2. Acceptance of the stay by the host Centre and/or tutor at said centre
1.3. Report with the work plan to be developed.

2. The Postgraduate Committee will forward this request to the Academic Committee of the corresponding Official Doctoral Program, which will report on the suitability of the work to be carried out at the non-national center with the doctoral student's training project and doctoral thesis project.

3. Once the stay is completed, the doctoral student will provide the Postgraduate Committee with a certificate from the Center where the stay took place, stating the period (from date to date) in which it took place, as well as a report from the tutor who supervised the research work carried out during that period.

4. The doctoral candidate, with the approval of their supervisor and in the established format, will submit to the Graduate Committee, for referral to the Academic Committee of the doctoral program in which they are enrolled, a proposal for two potential non-national evaluators, outlining the merits justifying their appointment as experts. The Academic Committee will make a decision on this matter.

5. If the Academic Committee's decision is favorable, the ULL Postgraduate Committee will forward the thesis report to said experts, who must issue a report and send it to the Postgraduate Committee.

6. If the Academic Committee's decision is unfavorable, it must justify the reasons for its decision and propose the experts it considers suitable. The Graduate Studies Committee will forward the thesis report to these experts.

7. The experts will send the required reports to the Postgraduate Committee, which will forward them to the Academic Committee of the doctoral program, who will inform the doctoral student and his or her director of the content of the reports.

8. The doctoral candidate, with the approval of their supervisor, will request authorization from the Graduate Committee for the public reading and defense of the thesis to the Academic Committee of the doctoral program. If the reports contain recommendations for improvement from the external evaluators, the doctoral candidate must respond to them in detail, submitting the response along with the final report on the doctoral thesis. If at least one of the external experts' reports is negative, new reports may be requested from other experts to contrast the arguments supporting this unfavorable report. If these new reports are also unfavorable, the thesis cannot be submitted for defense, and the corresponding report must be redrafted to begin the process of obtaining the International Mention anew. If the interested party decides not to continue the process initiated for this purpose, in order to submit the thesis without this Mention, the Academic Committee of the Official Doctoral Program will issue the corresponding report on the pertinence of this request.

9. The doctoral candidate, with the approval of his or her supervisor, will submit a request for the appointment of a panel to judge the doctoral thesis. This panel will include two doctors from non-Spanish higher education or research institutions, one of whom will act as the principal panelist and the other as an alternate panelist.

10. Part of the doctoral thesis, at least the abstract and conclusions, must be written in one of the languages commonly used for scientific communication in the field of knowledge, other than any of the official languages of Spain. Furthermore, at least part of the public defense must be conducted in that language. The above requirements will be waived when the internships, expert reports, and the non-national member come from a Spanish-speaking country, as the former were conducted in that country.

Likewise, Article 30 of the Official Doctoral Studies Regulations at the ULL provides that in the joint supervision regime for doctoral theses between the University of La Laguna and a university in another country, experts from other countries may participate with the aim of creating and developing scientific cooperation between research teams from both institutions and facilitating the mobility of doctoral students.