This is an interesting discussion because of the notion of what
'rewarding outcomes' might be. In my experience those who pursue
Ph.D. study to forward themselves in their academic careers usually
succeed. I would also add however that the advancement of careers
seems to be a bigger motivator than the pursuit of knowledge and
understanding, in so many cases. They often seem to be 'fill in the
form' Ph.D.'s. And active thinking and engagement in post Ph.D. work
shifts to self promotion in the treadmill of corporate university
structures.
I have a Ph.D. in Landscape Architecture and I have found it
rewarding. It has not taken me down the publish publish publish road.
And this is seen as a problem to some around me. I find it far more
interesting to teach and to work with others which often leads to
some dissemination - though that is rarely the 'objective'. This is
perhaps not doing my c.v. much good but at the end of the day, it
works for me. And I do feel privileged. But I wonder if I have a
normal life ... but then again, what is normal?
Marcella Eaton
Associate Professor
Department of Landscape Architecture
Faculty of Architecture
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, Manitoba
On 17-Mar-06, at 12:21 AM, Peter Gariepy wrote:
> I agree that there is little incentive to pursue a Ph.D. in design.
> I have a
> friend who has his Ph.D. in sociology and his institution will only
> hire him
> as an adjunct. They won't offer him an tenure track position,
> because he does
> not publish. In order to feed his family he teaches four lecture
> courses per
> semester with as many as 150 students per class. This leaves him
> little time to
> pursue research or to publish if he wants to have a normal life.
>
> It would be interesting to her from individuals on this list that
> have made
> the pursuit of a Ph.D. work with a rewarding outcome (not necessarily
> monetary).
>
> Peter Gariepy
> Lecturer
> Design Communications
> Buffalo State College
> Buffalo, NY
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