What an interesting conversation – and refreshing to see the ed dev community discussing our own development for once!
I did my EdD at Birmingham, and have to say I couldn’t really perceive that much difference between my experience and if it had been a standard PhD. The program may well have changed, but at the time there were only a couple of us working in post compulsory education and I was the only one in my cohort working in HE. Yes there were taught courses at the beginning but there were PhD (or MRes) candidates on most of them too. Once the research bit got underway there was no community at all, just me and my helpful and knowledgeable, but also massively over-worked supervisor.
I did get through and I am extremely glad that I did. My original motivation was partly one of ‘can I do this?’, partly a genuine interest in my topic (vital I think if you have any hope of success) and partly, as someone else said, to avoid being the only non-doctor in a room full of medics (I was working in a medical school at the time). While those were the motivations, since gaining those letters after (and before) my name – my career has taken off. I am now working in Canada, without the doctorate I would not have been appointed here.
My biggest regret whilst doing the doctorate was the lack of a community – as I said even in the taught session mutual support was limited because most of my peers were working in schools. However that was my mistake in choosing that programme. I did so because I was working in the same institution at the time and my fees were paid by my department – they wouldn’t have been had I attended a different one. This lack was most acute on graduation day. The day was lovely – my family were so proud of me, and it was particularly emotional as the day happened to coincide with my late father’s birthday and anniversary of his death some 15 years earlier (strangest of coincidences) – but as I sat in the Great Hall wearing those ridiculous robes I looked around and thought – who are all these people? I didn’t know a single person. This was in such stark contrast to the undergrads all celebrating together. I expect the PhD candidates felt the same, but it really did strike me as a lost opportunity.
So – this is a rather long way round of saying – I would have welcomed a doctorate support group, and if one does get going and those who have emerged out the other side offer support, count me in!
Also – great idea about a fringe meeting at SEDA in May – I’ll be there!
Best wishes
Celia
Celia Popovic
York University, Toronto
From: Online forum for SEDA, the Staff & Educational Development Association [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Sarah Edwards
Sent: Thursday, February 16, 2012 4:45 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Doctorate of Education
Morning Everyone,
I have recently joined SEDA and the thread on EdD’s has been very interesting…..I didn’t think when I signed up that my inbox would be quite so inundated, but it has been very welcome just the same…!
I teach at University College Birmingham, but am doing my EdD at Warwick. I’ve completed all the taught modules which I found challenging, but like many others, enjoyed the company and encouragement of fellow students. Now I am onto the ‘thesis’ proper, and without any deadlines per se, my progress has definitely slowed. I thought the recent comment of telling others what you are planning to do was a very good idea……
Could we maybe have an ‘EdD’ drop in/networking session at the SEDA conference in Spring as it seems there are so many experiences to share? I am hoping to get to the first day at least…
Anyway, my research area is Distributed Leadership in HE and its perceived impact on T & L. Alma Harris was one of my tutors at Warwick so inspired me in this area…if anyone has any comments, please do get in touch.
Best wishes
Sarah Edwards
MSc Programme Manager
University College Birmingham
Summer Row
Birmingham
B1 1JB
0121 232 4419