Yes, I have considered a Doctorate, several times, and even applied for a studentship when I "retired". My big problem has always been the view from above that I shouldn't pursue this route because I could not then supervise PhDs whilst I did it. This has largely proved to be an overstatement as I only managed one supervision, and two doctoral examinerships, in the whole time during which I could have forged ahead - though I am now co-supervising the person who did get the studentship for which I applied! I think that a suitable doctoral programme can provide a good framework for professional development - I have given up on my FSEDA, I can't be doing with all the bureaucracy. I am still not too old to start a PhD, but I am not sure that I want to belong to a club that would have me as a
member...
Seriously, though, there can be a conflict of interests if you want to pursue a doctorate but might somehow be involved in supervising/examining them.
From: Gwen M. van der Velden <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Tuesday, 14 February 2012, 15:25
Subject: If you ever considered doing a doctorate....
Dear colleagues,
If you ever considered doing a doctorate and didn’t
get round to it ‘first time’ (like me), then maybe you’re
interested in a professional doctorate like the one I am taking at the moment. If
not, I am sorry to have filled up your mailbox…
Mine is a research doctorate in International Higher
Education Management, offered at the University
of Bath (yes, that’s
my own institution, but I’m no less critical, not to worry). In brief, it
consists of four residentials in the first phase, each with their own research
assignment to follow and then a full thesis, just like you would produce for a
PhD. The big advantage of not going for the individual PhD route, but taking
this type of doctorate is that you meet a group of fellow students from universities
all over the world, and you build up a study network that keeps you going,
inspires you and challenges you to do better than you thought you could. But
you also learn how to write at publication level, even before you start on your
thesis. By the time you start, you should be well prepared for ‘the real
thing’. Your fourth assignment is your research methodology and so you
will have lots of help and assurances on that aspect before you start
collecting data.
In my case, I am now a year an a half into the programme. Working
on finalising assignment three, I have just had my first assignment accepted
for publication in an international journal (Higher Education Quarterly). The
wider research and reading I’ve done so far on student engagement and
organisational cultures has also helped inform the talks and seminars I am
giving in a few universities and at conferences, and the stronger research
underpinning is well received. I have also made professional and personal
friends in countries across the world and this has led to new insights into how
universities could be organised
that I would never have had otherwise. Incredibly useful for my day to day
work. In my year group there are 22 HE managers studying on the programme, from
19 different countries. And that is not unusual, it seems. The whole experience
so far, has been ‘brain candy’ as one of my Canadian fellow
students descries it. This Saturday, five of us met online to catch up on our
study progress, and this is how we all keep on track with our studies.
I am not writing this out of any other interest than encouraging
perhaps just one or two of you, to give a doctorate a go, no matter where you
are in your career. I can honestly say, it is absolutely worth it. To be fair,
you may also want to have a look at alternatives, such as the Doctorate at the
Institute of
Education which I know some colleagues
are also quite happy with. I guess there are others as well, but I’m
afraid I like the Bath
one so much, I didn’t look that far! If you are interested, have a look
at the brochure the programme team has just released: http://www.bath.ac.uk/management/dba/ .
Also, feel free to drop me a line if you want to hear more
about my own experiences, or talk to me at any next event we might both be at,
but keep in mind, I’m still going, who knows what I’ll say when I
reach the other end of the course?
Best wishes,
Gwen van der
Velden
Director of Learning and Teaching Enhancement
Learning and Teaching Enhancement Office
Wessex House 5.38
University of Bath
Claverton Down
Bath BA2 7AY
Director of Learning and Teaching Enhancement
Learning and Teaching Enhancement Office
Wessex House 5.38
University of Bath
Claverton Down
Bath BA2 7AY