relatrice

Relatrice is the feminine form of the Italian academic title relatore. In Italian universities, a relatrice is the professor who supervises and guides a student's thesis or dissertation from proposal through to completion. The relatrice, often working alongside a co-supervisor (correlatore), helps define research questions, select methods, review drafts, and ensure scholarly and ethical standards are met.

She chairs or participates in meetings with the candidate, monitors progress, and provides feedback used in the final evaluation. During the degree examination, the relatrice may present or endorse the work before the examining commission and contributes to the assessment of the thesis along with other examiners. The exact duties and presence at the defense vary by institution and degree level (bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral).

The masculine form relatore is used for male supervisors; relatrice is the gendered form used for female supervisors. The term exists specifically within Italian academic practice and may be translated in English as thesis supervisor or advisor. In broader contexts, similar roles exist under different names, such as dissertation supervisor or advisor, or rapporteur in some languages, but the exact duties differ by country and university.