Doctoral Education: Pressures for Change and Modernisation

Abstract

In Europe and in North America doctoral training and education have become the subject of scrutiny, policy formulation and reform initiatives in recent years. There is widespread dissatisfaction with the traditional forms of doctoral education and training. This is not only due to a considerable increase in the number of doctoral degree holders but also to changes in the policy context for this phase of advanced academic education. Globalisation, the shift towards knowledge-based economies and the resulting increase in competition for best talent have contributed to such a shift. Due to the fact that doctoral degree holders are expected to support the shift to a knowledge-based society and economy, another policy change can be observed. It is expected that far more trained researchers than before will seek and will have to seek jobs outside academia and research institutions. The relevance of research topics and the acquisition of additional skills and competences for non-academic labour markets have therefore become key challenges in doctoral education and training.KeywordsDoctoral DegreeDoctoral StudentResearch TrainingAcademic CareerAcademic LifeThese keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.