Details

Twenty years ago the Winfield Report highlighted an inherent tension in the doctoral degree, while other commentators since have continued to note confusions about its role and purpose. The situation has become more complicated of late as doctoral education responds to major drivers of change such as the new emphasis on skills and training and the introduction of national benchmarking, codes of practice and the European Charter for Researchers.

These produce further tensions between product (thesis) and process (researcher development), between timely completion and high quality research, and concerns about, amongst other things, funding , international reputation of UK doctoral graduates, harmonisation of degrees across Europe (the Bologna process), employers needs and accumulated student debt.

Although it has been suggested previously (ABRC 1996) that there should be a debate about the nature of the PhD, it has never been more urgent or complex than it is now. In this workshop, Professor Chris Park will frame the debate by outlining some perspectives from stakeholders, the main drivers for change, and responses in the UK as a prelude to posing key questions for debate in small groups. A plenary session will draw main arguments and potential solutions together to contribute to the sector debate convened by national groups such as UKGRAD and HEA.  The debate, if it is to be meaningful, must be informed by the different perspectives shared by practitioners and stakeholder groups. This meeting will provide a good opportunity for delegates to share their views and concerns, and to contribute to the shaping of this national debate.

Programme