On Friday 14th November, the call for papers for the 2nd International Conference on Developments in Doctoral Education and Training (ICDDET) closed with the nearly double the number of submissions for the previous inaugural conference in the series.

The event, sponsored by Epigeum encompasses five main themes:

• National and International Doctoral Policy
• The Structured Doctorate
• Doctoral Candidates in the Digital Age
• Self-directed and peer support in researchers’ development 
• Characteristics of effective supervisors and strategies for development

Prior to the call for papers closing, the conference already boasted Dr Debra Stewart President Emerita Council of Graduate Schools, USA and Professor Joe Luca, Dean of the Graduate Research School at Edith Cowan University, Australia.

Professor Douglas Halliday, ICDDET chair said;

“The UKCGE is delighted at the response to the call for papers for the second international conference. It confirms the demand from the international community for the opportunity to discuss developments in doctoral education and to share best practice. Many countries have ambitious plans to grow and enhance their doctoral provision. The UKCGE is pleased to offer an international forum to discuss these important issues and welcomes all delegates to join us in Oxford for a stimulating and rewarding conference in March 2015.”

Next year’s conference which takes place at the historic Oxford University Examination Schools over the 30th and 31st of March attracted papers from a number of international universities.

Angus Burns, the council’s events officer said;

“We are delighted with the numbers of abstracts we have received for the Conference, it is almost double the number of papers submitted for the first ICDDET. Papers have been submitted from countries all over the world – including for the first time Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Romania –representing four continents. It promises to be a truly international event.”

Link to conference page