Dear Ken,
> I
> argue that examiners should, indeed, judge and control the quality of
> the PhD thesis. If they did, we’d live in a world where more people in
> design research could, indeed, judge their own skills and capacities –
> and even improve them.
I suggest that examiners do judge and control the quality of the PhD
thesis. Yet judgement at the examination stage is too late for the
student. This is where doctoral pedagogy, and 'quality' supervision,
comes in.
I can't help but notice that most comments on this topic are from
people who have attained their doctorates some time ago. What of the
people currently undergoing the doctorate? Do you perceive your
'research training' as adequate? Are you able to judge the 'quality'
of your own work? Can you say you are preparing to become 'research
ready' and seeking a 'post-doc' position where you can hone your
skills? Or, are you simply pursuing an interest you have had for some
time? What of your supervisors? Are they guiding you in learning this
process? This is where the future of doctoral research comes in.
The doctorate is not just about skills training, as design education
more generally is not, or preparation for teaching or more research.
It is an opportunity to be curious in a different way, and to learn
about how to find and position oneself within certain neighbourhoods
of like-minded people, who are not necessarily designers. At least
that is what my PhD is arguing – which, incidentally, I am submitting
tomorrow.
cheers, teena
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