Report released: Structural Changes in Doctoral Education in the UK – A review of Graduate Schools
Report released: Structural Changes in Doctoral Education in the UK – A review of Graduate Schools
UKCGE’s working group for the Sustainability of Organisational Structures for Doctoral Provision has published a report which captures key trends in doctoral provision in UK and Irish institutions.
The publication involves a large number of UKCGE membership institutions and builds on the findings of the Council’s previous reports in this area, ‘A Review of Graduate Schools in the UK’ (2005, 2010). As well as mapping an overview of recent changes in doctoral training structures in UK and Irish universities, the publication also captures aspirations for further development in doctoral provision and barriers to change. Unlike to the 2010 report, the working group have also focused in particular on the role and potential of cohort-based doctoral training programme models, which forms the basis of a review of doctoral training provision through structure and sustainability.
The report’s authors Dr Rebekah Smith McGloin, Chair of the working group for the Sustainability of Organisational Structures for Doctoral Provision and Research Capability Development Manager at Coventry University, and Carolyn Wynne UKCGE Principal Officer would like to express their thanks for all colleagues who provided such detailed and honest responses.
Dr Rebekah Smith McGloin, who is also a member of the Council’s Executive Committee said,
“These are interesting and challenging times for the sector. We have seen a recent flurry of policy documents that has signalled further significant change ahead.”
“The government has set out its desire to increase the efficiency and strategic impact of research, its commitment to postgraduate loans, its focus on widening participation and its intention to situate students at the heart of the system at an undergraduate level. These priorities combine with on-going issues in postgraduate recruitment, the international agenda and partnership-working across the sector and with business, industry and government to provide great challenges and also opportunities for doctoral education.”
“We hope this report will offer an interesting and useful insight into how the sector is changing and responding to these challenges and what future trends and innovations might be.”
The report will be presented to Deans and Directors at their forthcoming residential workshop on the 25th and 26th of February 2016 in York. Alongside the report, the Council are also in the process of developing a selection of impact sheets to introduce Graduate Schools and Doctoral Colleges, highlight there significance and provide guidance on important components of such structures.
Carolyn Wynne, UKCGE Principal Officer said,
“We are eager to continue championing such structures that benefit the postgraduate student journey. Publications like this provide an important overview of the sector, and allows us a Council to resource activities in the areas it is needed most.”
All UKCGE members will receive a complementary printed copy of the report, which will be sent directly to link members in January 2016. Copies will also be available at forthcoming Council events.
Links
Sustainability of Organisational Structures for Doctoral Provision Working Group
